I would recommend skipping the forums (where people tend to relate their personal horror stories) and looking instead at professional sites that discuss medical issues with some knowledge. Also, of course, if it's possible to have an in-depth discussion with your surgeon or his/her staff that should be a good source of expert help.
I have heard of more success stories than not, fwiw.
kathleen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Other than the stoma issue, how are you doing? > You've posted some health issues here quite a > while ago. Hope you do well with everything.
Doing real well, thankyou. It has been a year, no cancer, and might start pooping through my butt again....
When in doubt, get a second opinion. Find the best surgeon you can who is affiliated with a university/teaching hospital. It might be worth your while to travel in order to do this.
summer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > When in doubt, get a second opinion. Find the best > surgeon you can who is affiliated with a > university/teaching hospital. It might be worth > your while to travel in order to do this.
The guy who will doing the procedure is the same surgeon who originally installed it. Nice kid from Utah. I trust him.
My cousin has Crohn's really bad and had one, they reversed it, but it took months for the hole to close and it did get infected and he almost died, but survived. I think the thing is it takes months for the hole to close and there is a big risk for infection. I may be referring to something else I am not in the medical field.
When in doubt it's always good to get two or three opinions from trusted professionals.
Also, is there a support group in your area for cancer survivors of what you've been through? Sometimes just talking with other survivors can provide crucial information you may not get from your doctor.
One of my personal acquaintances is a 10 year cancer advocate/25 year breast cancer survivor. She has given me some useful information I wouldn't have found out from my doctor or clinician.