Good morning. Welcome to blog 3 The difference between a j pouch and an ileostomy, is that a j pouch is found on the inside of the body and collects waste in the pouch. The elimination process is normal through the anus. While the ileostomy pouch is found on the outside of the body and collects waste. An individual needs to empty their colostomy bag 6-8 times per day. A person with a j pouch may pass 5-8 stools per day or more depending on their diet sensitivity. The challenges I have experienced having a j pouch for the past 12 years are: bloating, cramps, noisy rumbling sounds of my j pouch. The rumbling sounds are very embarrassing especially when you are in a meetings, in the company of family and friends. The sounds are audibly loud. My normal day would start of with up to four visits to the bathroom or until I feel that my j pouch is empty. This is besides the early morning visit to the bathroom around 1am. With a busy working environment it has been difficult to maintain a ...
Hi. Welcome to my blog. Thank you to all who have read my 1st blog. Please follow or leave a comment! My spirits have been uplifted just to share my story. I have been contemplating for so long to do this, and here I am today sharing my second blog. As I mentioned I was not prepared enough for the days to come. I wanted so badly for my surgery to be a success and to continue with my with life. My recovery period was difficult, I had to literally look at myself in the mirror and say to myself "You are not going to give up". My daughter was my little helper, she would ask me to wait for her when she got back from school so that she could help me with changing my colostomy bag. I knew then that as much as I needed her, she needed me. After my second operation the j pouch restoration, that's when the new normal started. I accepted the new normal, firstly because I was in denial and secondly because I wanted my life back. Accepting the new normal has not been easy....
Today marks thirteen years of my surgery. Through the past years my emotions have often been conflicting. Exhilarating relief followed by recent experiences of depression, anxiety and loss of self esteem. I am a work in progress. When I shared my symptoms and experiences, someone asked me "But where do you see yourself in 5years from now". At that moment all I wanted was to feel accepted, understood and a sense of personal peace. But personally I didn't see myself in the same position, especially at work. After several months of sleepless nights and repeated thoughts that lingered on my mind, I can finally say that I'm much at peace. Ultimately I decided to retire from my stressful nursing career and nurse my own health needs. I will always be a nurse at heart with all the wisdom, knowledge and experience I have gained for more than 20 years. I'm retiring with a successful gain of completing my Masters Degree in Nursing Health Science. Today, 13yrs post surgery...
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