----- Original Message -----

From: Meghan

To: stomacentralint@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:38 AM

Subject: [stomacentralint] new member, hubby soon to get ostomy

 

Hello everyone, I'm Meghan. My husband, Russ, had colon cancer 13 yrs ago w/ a one-step j-pouch. His cancer was due to Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (he's the first to have it in his/our family, spontaneous mutation). His pouch is shot now, a royal mess inside & the pre-cancerous polyps are coating the little bit of rectum they left in him, so he's going in for an ostomy in place of it within the next 3 months. We were hoping he could 'wait' until the beginning of October because of other medical procedures we have coming up before then (and a Make-a-Wish for our son that is due the end of September), but the pre-cancerous aspect may have us schedule for next month if there is concern about waiting (doctors are split on waiting 'til Oct). Russ was very upset about switching to an ostomy, at first... he is now eager to be rid of the problems and pain that his pouch have given him the last few years. We've done a little research & have found that a lot of people who switch b/c of ongoing problems feel genuine relief once they've adjusted, even gaining more than is 'lost'. Russ is really hoping this is the case for him. He's nervous, too, though (of course). We live in Northern California and plan to have the surgery at UCSF, about 2 hrs from our home. We'll decide in about 2 weeks (when we have more info) whether to wait 'til the beginning of October or move everything around so we can try for mid-August instead.
little extra info --Our 14yr old son, Wyatt, has Familial Adenomatous Polyposis like Russ, and he also has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (and other medical conditions as well -quite a few). I have no bowel conditions, but have bladder and spinal problems (and a few others). It's a lot of work to juggle the medical care for the 3 of us, which is fairly constant (not a week goes by without at least 2 medical appointments, if not 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) between the 3 of us. Wyatt and I are both mildly disabled and need assistive aids some of the time, not all. We are a very interdependent family, relying on and supporting one another to get things done -although Russ has typically been the physically strong one. We are all a bit concerned as to how Wyatt & I can help Russ in his surgical recovery --physically.. what he'll need, what we can prepare for ahead of time, set in place, etc. Any helpful suggestions, advice, shared experience, etc would be GREATLY appreciated for both the surgical recovery and Russ' adjustment to living w/ an ostomy. I'd very much like to help his physical and emotional adjustment to the ostomy in any way I can.
Thank you for your time,
Meghan, Russ' wife