>>I had a temp colostomy back in January 08.  It was emergency surgery so
laproscopic was out of the question.  I had a 12 inch incision in my abdomen and
a 1 inch hole for the colostomy.  32 staples.  I was 11 days in the hospital but
remember - laproscopic is MUCH different.  Less healing and less invasive. 
Sounds like you have a few other issues that could pop up as well.  I would say
he should be able to travel after two weeks but I seriously doubt he'll be
driving and there is no way he'll be 100% sorry to say although he may feel up
to it.  Stay positive and do what the doctors say.  They really do know whats
best.  Heal the right way.  I made th emistake of trying to travel an hour to
work every day after 4 weeks and it set me back.
Ping me anytime!
Jerry

Thank you so much, Jerry. We are really hoping my husband's surgeon can get by
w/ the laprascopic surgery & won't need to reopen part of his old incision. Our
2nd opinion felt it was a bad idea to attempt a laprascopy, but also said
attempting it wouldn't hurt things.. just might give us false hopes. My
husband's going to UCSF & our 2nd opinion was from City of Hope in Southern Cali
(we can't travel that distance from our Northern Cali home for the surgery,
though.. it's just too far for us financially; even UCSF is a bit of a distance
to work w/). We're both pretty positive people, just nervous (& stressed.. of
course). My husband's commute is about the same as yours & I took special note
of what you said about driving. I know Russ doesn't want anything to set him
back as he improves, especially w/ our son's surgery coming up so soon after.
He may telecommute longer than he was hoping to. Can you suggest anything I can
do at home or have ready before he comes home from the hospital, that will help
his recovery? A hospital bed (rental) maybe or is that not necessary? We have
a very small master bath (VERY small & zero counter space.. only 'shelf space'
is the lid of the toilet tank)... what can I do to make the bathroom easier for
him to use when he drains his bag & tends to the ostomy? Where do you keep your
supplies?
-Meghan, Russ' wife