Hey everyone I was just wondering if these symptoms were normal after getting a colostomy or if I should go back to the doctor. Thanks!
Cold sweats most of the time
I’m either too cold or too hot no matter what
Lack of appetite
Can’t sleep whatsoever. Just lay on my back on my couch with my eyes closed for hours
On top of the cold sweats, if I do ANY physical activity, even cleaning my bag, I sweat like crazy
Hey everyone, on June 18th I noticed the worst pain of my life in my abdomen. Went to the ER and they said it was a bad case of diverticulitis (something I was hospitalized 3 days for before back in August of 2025).
Turns out I had a perforation of the colon and needed emergency surgery. So they put in a colostomy bag and assured me it was only temporary, 6 months minimum, but I feel like the world is crumbling around me. As a kid a family member had a colostomy bag and it’s been my biggest fear ever since, dumb I know. I was in the hospital for 22 days then released but the nurse didn’t properly put on the bag, I didn’t notice because I’m a newbie and also an idiot. 2 days later I had a pain even worse than before and it turns out the bag leaked into my incision causing a pocket of fluid/abscess/hematoma (heard it called all 3 of these). I then spent the next 23 days in the hospital was released August 7th. I have absolutely no strength and sweat like mad even if I take 2 steps anywhere. I’m currently sleeping on my couch.
I think I mainly have the cleaning part down but not even close to the changing. They only showed me how to change it twice in the hospital and one time I was completely drugged up. Home health care nurses are supposedly coming to help I just can’t get a hold of them. I still have an incision from the surgery and two holes, one in the belly button and another below that need packing. I was told not to shower until the incisions and holes were healed. So after they are healed, then what? Can I shower normally like I did before the bag? Or I shower with the bag on or off?
I live in Orange County California and my mom mentioned maybe joining a support group but I don’t know.
I’m sorry for the wall of text, for bothering what seems like a lovely bunch of people and for even complaining about something that is temporary at the moment. I’ll take any advice and help from anyone. Again, I’m sorry for bothering everyone and to everyone who has read this far, thank you very much from the bottom of my sad heart.
TLDR: Does life get better? Does it get easier? Can I shower? Are there any colostomy support groups? Will I stop feeling so worthless and be able to do anything while I have this?
Hey everyone, I know this is a long shot and probably won’t get any help but I have to try something.
Last year in February I was misdiagnosed with the flu and it turned out to be bacterial pneumonia, went septic, found abscesses in my brain and liver. Was in the hospital for 27 days. Needed 3 chest tubes and a liver drain. Went home with a midline IV that I needed to self administer meds for 9 weeks.
I finally thought the ordeal was over and then in August I got diverticulitis and needed another midline IV for 10 weeks.
Eventually things got better and back to normal and then this past March I felt a lump in my neck and got it biopsied. Turns out it was positive for squamous cell carcinoma. It spread to my lymph nodes, tonsil and back of my tongue.
19 days ago I had surgery to remove all 4 lymph nodes in the left side of my neck, both tonsils and a chunk of my tongue. I had my post op appointment with my surgeon Monday and she said the cancer went past the capsule in my lymph nodes and I now need chemo and radiation every day for 6 weeks.
Thank you.