I just celebrated my 5-year anniversary of having a colectomy. My colon was removed due to severe ulcerous colitis (UC). In addition to the removal of my colon, I also had an ileostomy, which is a surgery to make a temporary or permanent opening called a “stoma.” A stoma (I call my stoma “Steve”) is a pathway from the lowest part of the small intestine, the ileum, to the outside of the abdomen.
I had just turned 50 years old in 2016 and I was rushed to the hospital due to a severe flare-up of my UC. I awoke in Singapore General Hospital (SGH) after a 9-hour operation. Coming out of a morphine haze, I looked down at my abdomen to notice a large bag. The doctors had told me about it beforehand, so it wasn’t a complete surprise, but to see it hanging there like a wet rag was rather disturbing.
In truth, my stoma “Steve” was the least of my problems. I had lung infections and pneumonia to deal with, not to mention I was vomiting copious amounts of blood. It took 5 grueling months, but eventually, I skipped well wheeled out of Singapore General.
Here are five things that I have learned since I started rocking the bag.
I thought my life was over but in fact it was a new beginning!
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+81(3) 4540 0935
contact@morunda.com
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2-6-3 Nihonbashi-honcho,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0023
Japan
10 Anson Road,
#13-09 International Plaza,
Singapore 079903