whew Bea....I was getting either worried about you or thinking you were 100 % and busy busy.so, so ..sorry to hear about the abcess...that is always a concern with these types of surgeries too. As the swelling goes down and this things heals up, you will get a better sense of the repair worked....frustrating....a huge hug to you too.... Did the docs give you any encouragement?
Amanda ..did you decide or already have the surgery? Everyone's recovery is different, I have learned to not rush things...
Teya...a colstomy is not all bad, it's all how YOU approach it and remember it is temp... and you do NOT let anyone or anything ever ever kick you in the tummy whether you have had a surgery or not.....That and letting kids hit and spit ay people, I can't understand that one either....(can you tell I have had inlaws that have allowed their kids run them...?) But Teya...talk to your doc and see what he says. if it's getting bigger, that is usually not a good sign, but a CRS would know the best course to take. If I had to do it over again...I would get the colostomy at the same time as the repair and heal heal heal and then get the colstomy reversered....I actually named my stoma as a joke...helped me deal with it and get thru each day. And you have a very good reason to get thru all this so you can enjoy being a mom...
plus we are all here to be your sounding board and support.
everyone else...stay in touch and be healthy
Flower
Amanda ..did you decide or already have the surgery? Everyone's recovery is different, I have learned to not rush things...
Teya...a colstomy is not all bad, it's all how YOU approach it and remember it is temp... and you do NOT let anyone or anything ever ever kick you in the tummy whether you have had a surgery or not.....That and letting kids hit and spit ay people, I can't understand that one either....(can you tell I have had inlaws that have allowed their kids run them...?) But Teya...talk to your doc and see what he says. if it's getting bigger, that is usually not a good sign, but a CRS would know the best course to take. If I had to do it over again...I would get the colostomy at the same time as the repair and heal heal heal and then get the colstomy reversered....I actually named my stoma as a joke...helped me deal with it and get thru each day. And you have a very good reason to get thru all this so you can enjoy being a mom...
plus we are all here to be your sounding board and support.
everyone else...stay in touch and be healthy
Flower
Hi Everyone,
I've read every single post on this life-saving site as I have had my RVF for over 6 years and am still trying to be "whole" again. Mine was a result of birthing a large baby very quickly. I'd do it all over again but I'd change a few things I've tried to repair it. I was told by the OB to wait until I was done having children to fix the RVF. So I waited and endured. Then after my last child was born, OB tried to put a few stitches in the RVF but of course, it didn't heal. Then I tried the plugs with buttons and both failed immediately (done by uro-gyno).
More recently (July 2010) I had CRS do an advancement flap repair. Infection set in and my repair failed within 10 days. I was in pain and stool seeped out of my vagina for 12 hours straight as I started antibiotics to clear the infection. The stool seepage forced me to consent to an ileostomy (July 2010) and I've gotten used to my baggie. 10 days ago I had an flap repair with a cadaver graft and my recovery seemed promising. Today, however, I am experiencing sharp pain and burning. I also saw a little blood in my sitz which I hadn't had until now. I'm resigning myself to the fact that another surgery has failed but Iwould like to ask those that have been here before, Is there any chance for success at this point? I see my CRS tomorrow. I don't know what else I can do to heal this: ileostomy, graft, bedrest...how can it not work?
Thank you for indulging a long post. There's not a lot of people I can talk to.
-P
I've read every single post on this life-saving site as I have had my RVF for over 6 years and am still trying to be "whole" again. Mine was a result of birthing a large baby very quickly. I'd do it all over again but I'd change a few things I've tried to repair it. I was told by the OB to wait until I was done having children to fix the RVF. So I waited and endured. Then after my last child was born, OB tried to put a few stitches in the RVF but of course, it didn't heal. Then I tried the plugs with buttons and both failed immediately (done by uro-gyno).
More recently (July 2010) I had CRS do an advancement flap repair. Infection set in and my repair failed within 10 days. I was in pain and stool seeped out of my vagina for 12 hours straight as I started antibiotics to clear the infection. The stool seepage forced me to consent to an ileostomy (July 2010) and I've gotten used to my baggie. 10 days ago I had an flap repair with a cadaver graft and my recovery seemed promising. Today, however, I am experiencing sharp pain and burning. I also saw a little blood in my sitz which I hadn't had until now. I'm resigning myself to the fact that another surgery has failed but Iwould like to ask those that have been here before, Is there any chance for success at this point? I see my CRS tomorrow. I don't know what else I can do to heal this: ileostomy, graft, bedrest...how can it not work?
Thank you for indulging a long post. There's not a lot of people I can talk to.
-P
Hi Posie,
So sorry to hear all you've had to go through. There are so many of us you'd think the repair of these things would be easier. I wouldn't assume your repair had failed until you talk to your MD. It might be something else and maybe something that won't necessarily be problematic. Hope so. I had one flap repair that didn't work but having the ileostomy allowed my rvf to heal on its own. I think having one really improves your chances. I know how it feels to have your hopes up and then realize you have to start over. 10 days before I was scheduled for a reversal my repair failed and then ended up with the ileo for another 6 months, waiting to see a GYN surgeon who was prepared to do another sphincteroplasty to repair this RVF. Luckily, by the time I went in for surgery it had repaired itself. This problem requires so much patience and it's so hard to be optimistic. Feel free to write as much and as often as need be. Talking to people on this site really helped me through it all. Hang in there.
Penny
So sorry to hear all you've had to go through. There are so many of us you'd think the repair of these things would be easier. I wouldn't assume your repair had failed until you talk to your MD. It might be something else and maybe something that won't necessarily be problematic. Hope so. I had one flap repair that didn't work but having the ileostomy allowed my rvf to heal on its own. I think having one really improves your chances. I know how it feels to have your hopes up and then realize you have to start over. 10 days before I was scheduled for a reversal my repair failed and then ended up with the ileo for another 6 months, waiting to see a GYN surgeon who was prepared to do another sphincteroplasty to repair this RVF. Luckily, by the time I went in for surgery it had repaired itself. This problem requires so much patience and it's so hard to be optimistic. Feel free to write as much and as often as need be. Talking to people on this site really helped me through it all. Hang in there.
Penny
Hello Posie....too bad you aren't on the mend after 6 years....What does your CRS say about the pain and bleeding? What type of antibiotcs are you on? It may just be a healing thing too, don't give up. Are the healing chances better with this cadaver graft, I don't know much about that one...anyone else out there with success using it? I had one flap and one complete stitch up from inside out that failed and resulted in a nasty infesction, then I got the colostomy and things improved a bit, was told I was healed, had the take down only to discover I think not, still don't know for sure, will on Fri though when I finally consent to go back to CRS..
I took the summer "off" to give things a chance to settle down and see what happenes and the rvf seems to be there but not as often and severe so I may still be mending...then the Crohns flares....yikes, more surgery and complications.....I am so over this. stupid Crohns, stupid fistula, stupid bowel obstruction, but as Penny noted...it does take patience, alot of it and this site does help.
Hang in there as I tell myself quite often, I'm getting nervous about the Dr visit....Penny, you are hope for me, I feel like I am almost there, but not quite to the brass ring.....
everyone else....ok?
flower
I took the summer "off" to give things a chance to settle down and see what happenes and the rvf seems to be there but not as often and severe so I may still be mending...then the Crohns flares....yikes, more surgery and complications.....I am so over this. stupid Crohns, stupid fistula, stupid bowel obstruction, but as Penny noted...it does take patience, alot of it and this site does help.
Hang in there as I tell myself quite often, I'm getting nervous about the Dr visit....Penny, you are hope for me, I feel like I am almost there, but not quite to the brass ring.....
everyone else....ok?
flower
Flower and Penny,
Thank you so much for the encouraging words. CRS told me not to panic about the new pain and blood. He said the stitches are still intact and does not see an infection. He suggested old blood may be under the flap and causing the discomfort or the stitches are rubbing...so I'll wait but it just doesn't feel right. I've been taking doxycycline as my antibiotic and I know I got another one post-op that made me vomit ...good times :-)
I do feel a bit better having the ileo because I know the area is cleaner. I always felt my other repairs failed after bm bacteria took over. I appreciate you veterans giving me advice because I really have no idea what to do if this doesn't work. Suggestions for long to keep my ileo if it does heal? My doc thought only 1-2 months after healing but what have you experienced?
I'm saying my prayers for all of us. BTW, I'm 33 and live in NY state with dh, ds and dd.
-Posie
Thank you so much for the encouraging words. CRS told me not to panic about the new pain and blood. He said the stitches are still intact and does not see an infection. He suggested old blood may be under the flap and causing the discomfort or the stitches are rubbing...so I'll wait but it just doesn't feel right. I've been taking doxycycline as my antibiotic and I know I got another one post-op that made me vomit ...good times :-)
I do feel a bit better having the ileo because I know the area is cleaner. I always felt my other repairs failed after bm bacteria took over. I appreciate you veterans giving me advice because I really have no idea what to do if this doesn't work. Suggestions for long to keep my ileo if it does heal? My doc thought only 1-2 months after healing but what have you experienced?
I'm saying my prayers for all of us. BTW, I'm 33 and live in NY state with dh, ds and dd.
-Posie
Posie...you are welcome !! that is why we are all here to support each other....That's good that the stitches are intact and no infection. Just wait it out and listen to your body....do not be afraid to call your doc for reassurance...and moral support if you get it from him. Yuck...I hate to vomit.....hang on to the ileo as long as you need to, do not rush this I am telling you...I did...mistake. What's another few months of the rest of your life to deal with it? right? Wow 33 years old and haved had this for so long.....you must be one tough cookie...
I too KNOW my repairs before the colostomy failed due to the presence of stool bacterium passing the stitches and destroying them...I kept telling my doc that I have always had loose runny stools from the Crohns....but didn't seem to "hear" me He does now ! so I hope to learn from my mistakes....will know more when I head back to Cleveland Clinic Friday........hang in there !!
Flower
I too KNOW my repairs before the colostomy failed due to the presence of stool bacterium passing the stitches and destroying them...I kept telling my doc that I have always had loose runny stools from the Crohns....but didn't seem to "hear" me He does now ! so I hope to learn from my mistakes....will know more when I head back to Cleveland Clinic Friday........hang in there !!
Flower
Hi Posie, Flower and Penny,
Flower - good luck for Friday. I find getting to see the doctor so stressful these days - you're almost crying before you get in there. Let us know how you get on. I hope you can have everything done at once.
Penny,
Great to here from you - hope you are OK.
Posie - I almost cried reading your post - thinking No! not another one! Penny and Flower have said most of it and you have read all our stuff. I've just had my 5 th repair which was a anterior anal spicnhter muscle repair (this might be what you in the States call a spcihteroplasty) plus a graft/flap repair using fatty tissue from the labia. I think you do need to listen to the pain (Particularly if it as a stabbing needle-like pain) but if they have looked at it then just keep asking people to look at it - sometimes you feel the pain before they can se anything. I get our practice nurset to look at my wound once a week still. Re antibiotics - here it is standard to be on two: metronidazole and augmentin or another penicillin type antibiotic. They attack slightly different types of bacteria and the best coverage is with both.
My consultant told me that a fistula caused by physical trauma (childbirth) is easier to fix than one caused through infection (me) and prob also an inflammatroy bowel disease (Flower). So that is good for you. BUT the more ops you have the more scar tissue is formed so that can make it harder. It is good that you have the ileostomy for that reason as the fistula may heal over with time even if it fails initially. All is not lost even if the repair does break down. I have not heard of the type of graft you had - do you know where the tissue came from which was used for the graft? Is it muscle or fatty tissue.?
I can't give you positive outcome story from me as I am work in progress. I have over the last couple of days suddenly had a lessening of soreness and have been able to sit up for a couple of hours at a time and attend a business meeting - my first for 3 months. So I feel much more positive as I am in less pain. Whether it has atually worked ...all I can say s it is the best yet and even if not fixed might enable another operation. The fatty tissue graft has helped to reconstruct the pad of tissue between the rectum and the vagina. That does seem to have happened. Have to wait for an exam in kate November to find out amymore.
Posie - keep posting and try to keep heart. This condition is terrible to deal with and you can't talk about it with everyone. It's OK to scream and shout. If you fon't hear from me it's coz I still have problems posting.
All - if you are on facebook search for 'RVF Support Group' which I have just set up. We can post and email each other through that if you would rather.
Bea
Flower - good luck for Friday. I find getting to see the doctor so stressful these days - you're almost crying before you get in there. Let us know how you get on. I hope you can have everything done at once.
Penny,
Great to here from you - hope you are OK.
Posie - I almost cried reading your post - thinking No! not another one! Penny and Flower have said most of it and you have read all our stuff. I've just had my 5 th repair which was a anterior anal spicnhter muscle repair (this might be what you in the States call a spcihteroplasty) plus a graft/flap repair using fatty tissue from the labia. I think you do need to listen to the pain (Particularly if it as a stabbing needle-like pain) but if they have looked at it then just keep asking people to look at it - sometimes you feel the pain before they can se anything. I get our practice nurset to look at my wound once a week still. Re antibiotics - here it is standard to be on two: metronidazole and augmentin or another penicillin type antibiotic. They attack slightly different types of bacteria and the best coverage is with both.
My consultant told me that a fistula caused by physical trauma (childbirth) is easier to fix than one caused through infection (me) and prob also an inflammatroy bowel disease (Flower). So that is good for you. BUT the more ops you have the more scar tissue is formed so that can make it harder. It is good that you have the ileostomy for that reason as the fistula may heal over with time even if it fails initially. All is not lost even if the repair does break down. I have not heard of the type of graft you had - do you know where the tissue came from which was used for the graft? Is it muscle or fatty tissue.?
I can't give you positive outcome story from me as I am work in progress. I have over the last couple of days suddenly had a lessening of soreness and have been able to sit up for a couple of hours at a time and attend a business meeting - my first for 3 months. So I feel much more positive as I am in less pain. Whether it has atually worked ...all I can say s it is the best yet and even if not fixed might enable another operation. The fatty tissue graft has helped to reconstruct the pad of tissue between the rectum and the vagina. That does seem to have happened. Have to wait for an exam in kate November to find out amymore.
Posie - keep posting and try to keep heart. This condition is terrible to deal with and you can't talk about it with everyone. It's OK to scream and shout. If you fon't hear from me it's coz I still have problems posting.
All - if you are on facebook search for 'RVF Support Group' which I have just set up. We can post and email each other through that if you would rather.
Bea
Flower,
Let us know what you find out on Friday--will be thinking of you.
Bea,
Your reply scares me because my pain IS sharp, needle-like and I'm terrified/pissed/desperate. My CRS won't see me until Monday. He's not terribly concerned about my new pain and spotting. But I feel it's an infection and I suspect that you are right about maybe needing a different antibiotic. I'm taking vicodin and it's not touching my pain. It's been 2 weeks since my surgery. Shouldn't I feel better--not worse?
You sure know a lot about grafts. I can't imagine taking tissue from the labia--you have my sincere awe in that one. Honestly, the things we women go through!! Alloderm is the brand name of my graft but that's all I know. Don't know if it's fatty or muscle. He told me it's dead tissue and my body wouldn't reject it...something similar to repairing a hernia. Sounded good to me.
You've truly been through so much. Thank you for taking the time to comfort me when my pain is probably far less than yours if you are just now able to sit for a short period of time--goodness. I appreciate your kind words. And even though you may be a work in progress, you have a great attitude.
Take care all. I will let you know what I find out on Monday if I make it til then :-)
Posie
Let us know what you find out on Friday--will be thinking of you.
Bea,
Your reply scares me because my pain IS sharp, needle-like and I'm terrified/pissed/desperate. My CRS won't see me until Monday. He's not terribly concerned about my new pain and spotting. But I feel it's an infection and I suspect that you are right about maybe needing a different antibiotic. I'm taking vicodin and it's not touching my pain. It's been 2 weeks since my surgery. Shouldn't I feel better--not worse?
You sure know a lot about grafts. I can't imagine taking tissue from the labia--you have my sincere awe in that one. Honestly, the things we women go through!! Alloderm is the brand name of my graft but that's all I know. Don't know if it's fatty or muscle. He told me it's dead tissue and my body wouldn't reject it...something similar to repairing a hernia. Sounded good to me.
You've truly been through so much. Thank you for taking the time to comfort me when my pain is probably far less than yours if you are just now able to sit for a short period of time--goodness. I appreciate your kind words. And even though you may be a work in progress, you have a great attitude.
Take care all. I will let you know what I find out on Monday if I make it til then :-)
Posie
Posie
I didn't mean to worry you - as we worry enough with this thing. Pain is difficult to deal with. I hope that it doesn't mean anything other than rubbing etc. I'm glad you are getting seen to on Monday. Let us know how you get on. Meanwile I hope things remain the same or improve. Hang in there.
I have had a good week and I am sitting quite a bit now. My period has come which has made it feel a bit more sensitive again.
Flower - thinking of you - let us know how you get on.
Bea
xx
I didn't mean to worry you - as we worry enough with this thing. Pain is difficult to deal with. I hope that it doesn't mean anything other than rubbing etc. I'm glad you are getting seen to on Monday. Let us know how you get on. Meanwile I hope things remain the same or improve. Hang in there.
I have had a good week and I am sitting quite a bit now. My period has come which has made it feel a bit more sensitive again.
Flower - thinking of you - let us know how you get on.
Bea
xx
I'm back and have lots to think about...........Yes I need a resection, but that is not as urgent as I thought, the meds are holding the Crohns down and they would like me to be off the prednisone before (me too) As far as the fistula...yes there is one there. it is 1/2 cm and is at the very end of the rectum in the fatty tissue. My spchns are fine (the ones that were repaired in Jan 09) so it is a matter of what to do w the RVF....leave it alone as it is small , may even heal more as time goes on....lay it open and have a trench instead of a pipe there.....or attempt another repair complete with stitches and we all know how those turn out with me....no guarantees a repair would work and not make matters worse and the rvf bigger......no stoma needed at this point....so I may let sleeping dogs lie and see where it goes....maybe have the resection before Christmas so I can lay around during the holidays and beg off family gatherings....hee hee So how goes everyone else, I am so wound up from the long trip out to CLeveland and back....Posie, good luck at the Dr and Bea I think of you and pray all things get better for you sooner than later, but these things require a ton of patience don't they?
Take care...gotta take dogs for a walk..flower
Take care...gotta take dogs for a walk..flower
Flower
Good to hear from you. Sounds like a lot of info to take on board. At least the fistula is small and you can wait and plan when you have the surgery. Will you have an ileostomy with the resection? If you do the fistula might get smaller with that. And great news about the spinchter muscles. I can so understand about not trying another repair. But maybe you will be able to talk it hrough again before deciding - I wonder if the trench idea might help promote healing with out requiring stitches.
I hope you recover from your trip - it is shattering on so many fronts.
Take care all,
Bea
xx
Good to hear from you. Sounds like a lot of info to take on board. At least the fistula is small and you can wait and plan when you have the surgery. Will you have an ileostomy with the resection? If you do the fistula might get smaller with that. And great news about the spinchter muscles. I can so understand about not trying another repair. But maybe you will be able to talk it hrough again before deciding - I wonder if the trench idea might help promote healing with out requiring stitches.
I hope you recover from your trip - it is shattering on so many fronts.
Take care all,
Bea
xx
Hey all,
2.5 week post-op checkup today. Doctor put me back on antibiotics. I'm guessing he doesn't feel that I'm healing as well as I should be at this point because he was frustrated by my discomfort and drainage...he's not the only one :-)
I'm sure there are problems because a bit of rectal mucous came out vaginally today. I originally thought (like many others) that once I had an ileostomy that nothing would exit that area until reversal. That mucous is irritating and quite gross. I seem to have it once a week. Even though I saw this mucous in the wrong place, I'm going to stay calm and hope for better healing. I really don't know what else to do.
I completely understand Bea's thought of "letting sleeping dogs lie." Oh well, I still have hope so I'll keep posting about my continued healing.
Happy Columbus Day!
-Posie
2.5 week post-op checkup today. Doctor put me back on antibiotics. I'm guessing he doesn't feel that I'm healing as well as I should be at this point because he was frustrated by my discomfort and drainage...he's not the only one :-)
I'm sure there are problems because a bit of rectal mucous came out vaginally today. I originally thought (like many others) that once I had an ileostomy that nothing would exit that area until reversal. That mucous is irritating and quite gross. I seem to have it once a week. Even though I saw this mucous in the wrong place, I'm going to stay calm and hope for better healing. I really don't know what else to do.
I completely understand Bea's thought of "letting sleeping dogs lie." Oh well, I still have hope so I'll keep posting about my continued healing.
Happy Columbus Day!
-Posie
Hey Posie !! Did the docs tell you that you will still have a bowel movement like discharge even WITH an ileo or colosto? It's the natural workings of the rectal muscles, mucus builds up and you will still have the urge to have a b.m and it will be the mucus....As things heal, less and less should come thru the fistula. I had to expel the stuff maybe once every week too.....my mistake was not paying attention to the amt that came thru when it did, ergo thought I was ok and 100% healed when very little came out, actually was told it was mostly vag discharge and again I wanted so bad for this to end....well it did not. SO don't panic about the discharge of mucus right now....take the antibiotics and get to healing !!! Staying calm is a great idea...and yes I am letting sleeping dogs lie for the moment too until I figure out what to do...
My fistula is 1/2 cm up in..that's all....so should I just have them lay it open, it'll be 4 cm from rect to vag and I will have a trench rather than a hole there.....will scar tissue fill it in? should I have them stitch it? it's in the fatty tissue...would that be sort of trying to sew jello together? would it tear and get BIGGER???? should I just learn to live a different lifestyle and leave the thing alone? i do need a resection soon and if I am going to have a repair done then it'll all happen at the same time.....and no, Bea, I was told that due to the location of the rvf I would not need an ileo, so my anantomy of my rectal area just may change and look different....so... I gots to think..and get moving and get ready for work....take care and stay upbeat everyone !!!
Flower
My fistula is 1/2 cm up in..that's all....so should I just have them lay it open, it'll be 4 cm from rect to vag and I will have a trench rather than a hole there.....will scar tissue fill it in? should I have them stitch it? it's in the fatty tissue...would that be sort of trying to sew jello together? would it tear and get BIGGER???? should I just learn to live a different lifestyle and leave the thing alone? i do need a resection soon and if I am going to have a repair done then it'll all happen at the same time.....and no, Bea, I was told that due to the location of the rvf I would not need an ileo, so my anantomy of my rectal area just may change and look different....so... I gots to think..and get moving and get ready for work....take care and stay upbeat everyone !!!
Flower
Hi Posie,
Mixed news it seems. Hang in there. I hope that there is still a lot more healing for you to come. It sounds as though it will be a little time before it is clear how the repair has gone. I am glad you are back on the antibiotics.
Do have a loop ileostomy? I had a loop colostomy originally and after 3 months I got normal bms coming through. Now I have a cut end colostomy so no normal bms getting through. Re the discharge what colour is it? Flower I also wanted to ask you about that. I get the urges and pass mucus through the rectum/anus, again about once a week. It is light brown, lke toffee, caramel colour. I hope that is OK?
And Flower/Posie how can you tell if it is vaginal or rectal discharge in the vagina? If not by colour? I have not had the brown coloured mucus in the vagina so far, but I hardly dare to say that. I don't trust it.
Flower - whom am I to know, but if you could have the fistula opened out like a trench then that sounds a good deal. That is how they treat anal fistuals I think. If it won't harm your spincter muscles it sounds like a way to go. I watched a programme here in the UK about a man with anal abcesses/fistuale and they opened them out and he healed eventually and the body is amazing at healing itself. Yes there was scar tissue but he was not disfigured as you might imagine. If it is open then the whole infection issue is easier because it can drain. But I'm not doctor. I'd just say take some heart from that option.
Posie I am thinking of you specially as you are at such a crucial time in your healing. Flower - I hope you are OK and all these options etc not getting you down. Thank you both in advance for any more info on your experience of this discharge thing.
Bea
Mixed news it seems. Hang in there. I hope that there is still a lot more healing for you to come. It sounds as though it will be a little time before it is clear how the repair has gone. I am glad you are back on the antibiotics.
Do have a loop ileostomy? I had a loop colostomy originally and after 3 months I got normal bms coming through. Now I have a cut end colostomy so no normal bms getting through. Re the discharge what colour is it? Flower I also wanted to ask you about that. I get the urges and pass mucus through the rectum/anus, again about once a week. It is light brown, lke toffee, caramel colour. I hope that is OK?
And Flower/Posie how can you tell if it is vaginal or rectal discharge in the vagina? If not by colour? I have not had the brown coloured mucus in the vagina so far, but I hardly dare to say that. I don't trust it.
Flower - whom am I to know, but if you could have the fistula opened out like a trench then that sounds a good deal. That is how they treat anal fistuals I think. If it won't harm your spincter muscles it sounds like a way to go. I watched a programme here in the UK about a man with anal abcesses/fistuale and they opened them out and he healed eventually and the body is amazing at healing itself. Yes there was scar tissue but he was not disfigured as you might imagine. If it is open then the whole infection issue is easier because it can drain. But I'm not doctor. I'd just say take some heart from that option.
Posie I am thinking of you specially as you are at such a crucial time in your healing. Flower - I hope you are OK and all these options etc not getting you down. Thank you both in advance for any more info on your experience of this discharge thing.
Bea
Hi Bea...............yeah I'm trying not to stress over this, work is driving me nuts as it is.....anyway.. What you are having is the urge and passing thru the rectum is normal as I was told, remember the muscles and nature DO NOT know that there is a colstomy and still wants to function as if there is NOT one, and yes it is a little colored....If it is coming thru the rectum only then I would say that is ok and normal...ask the ostomy nurse.
This fistula is not near the spchin muscles so I am thinking also of laying it open and having it heal over and maybe if I applied estrogen cream, fibrin, anything that would help promote the healing over....who knows? I need to think.
Posie...patience is a virtue here...trust me, do not rush this thing as Bea says, our bodies are amazing healers, we have to give them time, as long as you are taking the meds to prevent an infection, just have faith. oh Bea...you are welcome
flower
This fistula is not near the spchin muscles so I am thinking also of laying it open and having it heal over and maybe if I applied estrogen cream, fibrin, anything that would help promote the healing over....who knows? I need to think.
Posie...patience is a virtue here...trust me, do not rush this thing as Bea says, our bodies are amazing healers, we have to give them time, as long as you are taking the meds to prevent an infection, just have faith. oh Bea...you are welcome
flower