Year Ago Today

15 years 11 months ago #15237 by Melodie
Replied by Melodie on topic Year Ago Today
Rick - YIPEE ! Are you celebrating with wife & family? You have done such a terrific job - sharing your journey with us and being so positive about it all, and of course, helping others. You did get back to work so much sooner than I did, but I am a pouch owner and as you say, we are all different. I didn't feel well enough to return to work until six months after surgery. This last week was my first 40 hour work week and commuting 50 miles each way...I'm rather proud of myself.

Where we are alike is that we are all fighters and do share a common bond. I'm so glad you and I work for the same company and had the chance to meet in person...and will meet again. I so enjoyed our time together at Tully's. I wish somehow we ALL had a chance to meet in person...maybe some day we will....if not, let's hope we all come together in heaven. Take care & have a great day! Hugs, :) Melodie

Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright

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15 years 11 months ago #15154 by Jeff F
Replied by Jeff F on topic Year Ago Today
Rick, that is a lot of fluid intake. Is that just water or juice and pop too? Is there a reason for boosting your fluid intake? Also, at night...you have a tube from your bag to a bigger bag? Do you have to take it along with you when you raid the fridge? Crazy little question, eh? Thanks again.

BC diagnosed 01/2007
Cystoscopes and Miomyacin in 2007
R/C ilial conduit 04/27/2008

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15 years 11 months ago #15148 by RAH
Replied by RAH on topic Year Ago Today
Marie,
Thanks for your reply and wishes.
Side note: I work for a big company up here in the Northwest. A couple of years ago my oldest son was getting ready to go off to college. He asked me, “Dad what do you actually do at work?” I told him that I am a Team Leader for the training department of the company. He asked again, “So what do you actually do?” I said I sit around and give my opinion. He asked, “What happens if you don’t have an opinion.” I said I always have and opinion; but the day I don’t is the day I will loose my job.

So, here is my opinion about my bag.
It took nearly six months for me not to be driven crazy with the itching under the new pouch. The itching would start about day 3 or 4 of wearing the pouch. It was caused by the hair growth under the pouch. I don’t know what happened but about a month ago, I just stopped having the itch.
I wear mainly Docker type of pants so my bag hangs in the void of the pleat. I wear briefs that has the band below my pouch. My bag stays between my briefs and pants. It took about three months for me to actually forget I had the bag on. Now unless I get up to walk after sitting for a while, I never think about the bag.
I wear a 9” bag. I empty it around every two hours. I drink about 20-30 oz of water every two hours. So my urine output seems normal. At night, I connect my bag to an overnight bag that is tied to my bed stand. For 8 hours of sleep I produce 1400 ML.

What are some of factors that are making it tough for you to adjust to you wearing the bag (physical? Mental?)

Good luck to a fellow “Oh thank Heaven for Seventy-Seven Graduate” and a Bag Person.
Rick

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15 years 11 months ago #15144 by marie
Replied by marie on topic Year Ago Today
Hi Rick,
I am glad to hear you are doing well. I'm 49, just like you, and had my RC on Jan 18 of this year. I also have the outside bag, so I'm always interested to talk to others who have the same diversion. I also have a good group of high school friends (class of 77) and so I smiled when I read your reference to your high school buds. Although I feel I am doing pretty well, I am finding that adjusting to the external bag is somewhat difficult. I wanted to ask you how long it took before you felt it was "normal" (if that question makes sense). Also, I may be drinking too much water as I have to empty the bag each hour -how much do you drink, and do you spread that out throughout the day evenly?
I haven't posted too much on this site, but I read everything and have had so much help from the supportive people here.
Continued good luck with everything. Bless you.
Marie

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15 years 11 months ago #15137 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Year Ago Today
I have a navel stoma and it looks just like my belly button...smaller than the size of a dime......most doctors want to put the stoma lower on the abdomen...i requested the navel stoma as it was the most convenient to cath and in that location does not have a tendency to want to heal over as the skin is prone to due with a cut in another location. I think you have to take into consideration your own body type and where you can most conveniently access the site.....you can have a choice if your surgeon can do it.. Pat

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15 years 11 months ago #15131 by Jeff F
Replied by Jeff F on topic Year Ago Today
Thanks again, Joe.

BC diagnosed 01/2007
Cystoscopes and Miomyacin in 2007
R/C ilial conduit 04/27/2008

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