Hi Jeanne and welcome to the group. I don't have a colostomy, I have
a ileostomy which is pretty similiar just mine is higher up the colon.
I am 32 and had the surgery done last year. I think the biggest
problem I had to overcome was accepting it and learing how to change
and take care of it. After that was over it was so much easier, no
more worrying about bathrooms. Swimming is something than you CAN do.
In fact I just went swimming a few days ago. Its a little awkward to
me, but because i was self conscious. I bought a bathing suit that
had the little skirt to it. covers everything right up. You can
pretty much do anything you did before the colostomy except heaving
lifting. The supplies cost depends on your insurance. I get mine at
through a company called edgepark surgical they come through the mail
or you can get them at a home health store. emptying-someone else
will have to answer. I empty my ileostomy several times a day, but
mine is continuous as yours will not be a continuous flow. I've known
people that pretty much figure out what time of the day they will have
a movement and the rest of the time they just use a small pouch like
thing over it. I can tell you this, that I have NEVER regretted
having this surgery done. My life has improved so much since. I have
spina bifida and i had a neurogenic bowel. Before the surgery I was
chronically constipated, but when i did have to go, bathroom or not i
went. had to take laxatives every weekend (had a movement one day a
week) and couldn't leave the house cause i was incontinent after
taking them. After the surgery is over things will be so much better
for you. If you have any questions about the surgery or anything feel
free to ask.

Sara

-- In colostomy@yahoogroups.com, "Jeanne" <patchkid74@a...> wrote:
> Hi I just wanted to introduce myself since I just joined. My name is
> Jeanne, I'm 30, gonna be 31 on Sept. 22 of this year. I joined this
> group because I wanted to find out more about how life is with a
> Colostomy because the more I talk to my doctor the more it seems that
> I will have to have one sometime this year and lets face it I'm
> scared s***less ( i wish. lol ). The reason for the doctor saying
> that I will have to get one of them is three fold....
>
> 1. I have ulcerative colitis and have had it since 1989 at least and
> I have had an active flare of it since January 2004 and the doctor
> has not been able to get it under control even with Asacol,
> Mercaptopurine and Prednesone. At this point the doctor thinks that
> something is prohibiting my ability to use the medications perhaps an
> immunity of some sort to it.
>
> 2. On a scale of 1 - 10 my quality of life is about a 1 or at the
> most a 3 now since I'm almost afraid to go out of my house due to
> attacks of my colitis and my fear that I will get somewhere and not
> be able to goto the bathroom. Also I have been off work for a couple
> of months now due to the inability to control the Colitis. Plus I am
> sick and tired of taking almost 25 pills a day when they don't seem
> to be helping at all.
>
> 3. My grandmother and both her siblings had Colon Cancer. She
> survived but her brother and sister did not. Ulcerative Colitis
> increases the risk of this.
>
> I was wondering if any of you can answer some questions I have about
> a colostomy.
>
> 1. What common problems could I face when I get a colostomy done?
>
> 2. What activities can you do and what can you not do? I'm most
> worried that I won't be able to go swimming which is my favorite
> activity. If this is possible is there some places, like the
> ocean...some lakes, that I am not going to be able to swim in?
>
> 3. How much do supplies cost and what usually do you need for basic
> upkeep? Where can I get supplies?
>
> 4. How often do you have to empty the pouch for your colostomy? Is it
> averaging once / twice a day? More? Less?
>
> 5. Is there any work you can or cannot do with a colostomy?
>
> Thank you for your time and patience.
>
> Jeanne