I’m going to be a bag lady! Help me please.

mrsmopp. You may also like to take a look at the resources provided by Crohn's and Colitis UK about living with a stoma. They are a fantastic organisation with supportive helpline staff. They have a fifteen page leaflet you can download with lots of information.

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/living-with-a-stoma

Good luck, mrsmopp. I can't help from a personal point of view either, but my late DMIL had a stoma for over 25 years and coped with it brilliantly - we all forgot she had it. She had a solo trip to South Africa to visit a friend and had no problems while travelling. Eventually she died from something unrelated at the age of 90. Best wishes to you. ?

I hope things work out well for you mrsmopp it is scary but stoma care has improved greatly now. Talk to your stoma nurse, she is the expert to help and guide you. There are support groups as well for people in your position.
Good luck, I'm thinking of you

My hub faces this if his treatment is not successful.
My aunt lived with it and i do know a few who have even chosen to not have it reversed. You will be assigned a stoma nurse, who will answer all your questions and support you.
Try to approach it with an air of positivity, grab the chance it brings and, has been said, join support groups.

There will always be the doom monger, but be guided by your professionals.

It's a frightening prospect, but you will not be in it alone x

I watch all kinds of things on youtube, and this young woman covers absolutely everything about having a stoma, as she wants it to be openly discussed.

It might be worth having a watch.

youtube.com/hannahwitton

PS. I forgot to say that it might help you to join a closed Facebook group for people with a stoma. These support groups are great .... a trouble shared is a trouble halved ... and you will learn lots of tips for coping. I belong to 3 FB support groups for my various health conditions and they have been invaluable. The medical groups are usually closed groups so whatever you share on there stays within the group.

Hello mrsmopp - I can't offer any advice as I have no experience of your particular cancer, but I have had breast cancer twice and I didn't want to scroll past without giving you a virtual hug and my best wishes.

Obviously you're in shock at the moment, and it's only natural to feel scared about your op. You sound very brave and I hope you've got some friends and family who can support you through this. You've gone through a great deal already and now you will have more to come. My thoughts are with you.

I can’t help from a personal view mrsmopp, but I believe the Queen Mother had one after undisclosed cancer when she was in her 60s and she didn’t do too badly did she!
Wishing you all the very best.