How do you cope with life after a total colectomy?
Not only with the physical aspects of the surgery, but on the emotional side of things as well. Thanks.
Answers:
The physical: You learn to care for your incision. You learn to eat small meals and take it slowly so you don't vomit everything back up. You learn to stay hydrated because if you don't you'll end up back in the hospital with a nasogastric tube or on TPN. You learn to give yourself stoma care and pouch changes. You learn that you'll have many loose bowel movements. You learn that your life is irrevocably changed but not over.
The emotional: This is a toughie. A support group might be the answer. You have an altered body image now. Your significant other may also be having adjustment difficulties. Yes, I think a support group of others who have been through this and are coping with varying degrees of success is the answer. I congratulate you on wishing to move on rather than wallowing in self-pity, which is infinitely easier to do. You can arrange individual counseling as well as participating in group. Of course, turn to your family and friends for emotional support. God bless you. I wish you well and I hope you beat the cancer.
Other Answers:
My mom Has heart disease, Can anyone help?
have a positive outlook, look at the positive side minimize the negative and oh yeah its ok to cry then pick yourself up and be positive! some of the positives of having a "bag" at least you can see where you wipe most people can't see their butts after they wipe. you don't have to run with diarrhea to make it to the bathroom (sometimes bags leak ) but the feeling of needing to get to the br asap is worse. and please a good sense of humor always helps. watch what you eat certain foods will drain differently you still have the same bodily functions but expel them differently Good LuckMore Questions and Answers
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