Has anyone ever had a colostomy bag put on due to colon cancer ? If so?
why did u decided to get it ? why didn't you take a more natural way ? Can the cancer still come back ? what are other options ? A family member has it and I want other ppls info instead of getting the bag ..It's at the end of the bowel alot of it is gone already from the chemo .
Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
I didn't but my aunt did and my sister-in-law who also had hers at the lower end of the bowel. Now for my aunt they removed the cancerous part of the colon and put a colostomy bag in place. She then went through chemo and after 5 yrs when she was declared cancer free, they again did surgery and resected her colon and removed the bag. She did well, Mind you, I was only in my 20's when this was done, I'm talking 40 yrs ago and surgery of this kind was in the baby stages. Now surgery is more advanced. My sister-in-law is another thing. They will not remove hers because so much of the bowel was removed. She hates it because she feels that the bag is always between her legs when she walks. Her Dr rectified that for her. Why they decided to go? The answer is obvious, they didn't want to die. I'm sorry, but there is no 'natural' way to heal colon cancer. No matter what you hear, read on the web sites, or in magazines, if the Dr says surgery, then surgery it should be. You can always get another opinion which I always recommend to everyone. You asked if cancer can come back. Of course. Cancer can always come back. Oftentimes a sneaky cancer cell can escape chemo or radiation then travel someplace else. As far as other options, there are none. If you choose to ignore what your Dr advises and don't have the surgery, you are putting yourself at a very high mortality rate. You have to ask yourself, do you want to have a colostomy bag or a coffin. I know that sounds harsh and I'm sorry but I'm only being realistic. Get another opinion. Most doctors welcome second opinions because it validates their findings. I pray your family member makes the right choice. It's scary, there's no doubt about it. but I would choose a colostomy bag over death any day. When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can be so horrendous. That's my thoughts on it and my knowledge. God bless you and your family member. Remember, suggest a second opinion.
2 :
I've been a registered nurse for almost 50 years & have had many patients who have had colostomy bags for many reasons not always for cancer. Patients have had severe colitis (irritation of the bowel to the point of severe diarrhea & bleeding) and the bags were put on after surgery to give a section of the bowel a rest to heal (later they connect the bowel again) and the patient did well.Cancer is the most common reason to do a colostomy after surgery is done & the cancerous section is removed. My nephew had a small tumor in the colon (cancer) and they removed it, did a colostomy and gave him chemo. There was no other way to go and it would have gotten worse if he was not operated on.He was only 38 and after 6 months & follow up testing they reconnected the colon & he has been in remission for over 5 years. His follow ups are good. With cancer there are no other options for if not removed the cancer will spread. If a colostomy is done people often cannot control the bowels & wind up with loose stool they can't control & they become incontinent.With the bag the stool which is usually liquid or very soft can go into the bag & you can live a semi normal life, even do all the activities you did before, even work in some cases. If the doctor advised a colostomy it must be needed so please follow his advice & ask questions if you have any. Good luck.
3 :
I had my ileostomy (in a permanent ileostomy all of the large bowel is removed and the stoma is made from the ileum hence "ile" ostomy and in a colostomy, part of the large bowel is removed and the stoma is made from the colon, hence "col" ostomy) done when I was 10 years old for two reasons. 1) Uncontrollable ulcerative colitis and 2) at my last colonoscopy they found signs of dysplasia, ie precancerous cells so it would have ultimately turned into cancer. My bag saved my life! I've lived with it now for 34 years and have never ever regretted having the surgery. Yes, it's a learning curve learning to get used to it, but I was looking after, changing and emptying my bag at 10 years of age without any help so it's not that difficult at all. It's more the mental challenge especially at first. That colon never caused me anything but pain, good riddance to bad rubbish! I know many cancer survivors with a colostomy. Most have survived because of it (a very few, sadly, haven't). If the doctor is recommending a colostomy, then they have good reason to - it's not something they recommend lightly. Don't worry. Your relative will be able to live a full and productive life with it. I've completed school, worked full time since then and travelled the world with mine - it hasn't stopped me from doing anything I want to do. I just poop differently, that's all! Good luck to you and your relative.
4 :
Watch the DVD, healing Cancer.
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