Hi,

 I'm new at this game.  I Had chemo/radiation for 6 weeks and then surgery March 11, 2009.   (I guess the official name is abdominal perineal resection).  Resection - what a crazy name.  Why don't they just say rectom rip-it-out.  That explains it a lot better than resection.   I don't like being an ostimite, but if that's what had to happen to keep on living and get rid of the cancer, than so be it.  I just had a triple phase liver scan because there are spots on the liver that they're not sure of.  The liver is where the cancer spreads to when it metatisizes (I guess the lungs also) .  I just picked up the results(I go in and get copies of ALL my records) and it looks very promising.  So now the cancer doc will see me in 6 weeks.  The thing that they watch are the CEA and the cancer blood tests.  They should drop way down if they've gotten all the cancer.  So far, they've gone down some, but  the irritation from the surgery is still probably showing up.  The next blood draw should show something. 

 Anyway I now have a colostomy bag, whis is permanent.  I looked over  the blogs and it looks like a lot of you have the 2-piece bag.  I have the onle-piece bag that you have to empy.   I think I'm adjusting to it o.k. and don't mind emptying it.  I am also looking for a swimsuit that I can wear.  Of course, alll you can find in the stores are the 2 piece ones that don't really cover very much. 

 My ostomy nurse recommended a site   www.vblush.com.  I only saw one one-piece suit.  The problem is that this site is in Europe and I don't know what their policy is on returning them if they don't fit and that would probably involve a lot of postage.  I am going to look further and see what I can find.

 I couldn't fit into all my "before" pants, so went shopping and found some real nice ones at REI.  They are wash and wear and on sale for $34 dollars.  They are men's sizes, but I fit into men's sizes a lot better than women's sizes because I have a big waist and no hips.  They're called Adventure pants or something like that.  I ordered a second pair.

This is t he first time that I have entered a blog, I'm not sure how it works or anything, but I'll check back in a few days and see.

 cozzyjoan

 

 

Welcome
Mood:  happy

Welcome to the Rapides Ostomy Association Blog! Please feel free to ask a question, give and answer, comment or just vent.

This is an open blog, meaning that anyone can post a message. You need to register with Lycos/Tripod before you can post, just a formality and a security measure.

The webmaster will moderate this blog which means that if you get nasty or off content, then he will zap your post. Nasty folks get a second chance then they're gone. Off content gets three chances. The moderator also reserves the right to moderate this blog as he sees fit, so be nice and stay on content related to the website.

Remember, treat others as you would have others treat you.

To view the posts, click on the 'View Comments' button on the lower right.

Webmaster