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    #1

    Colostomy Questions For a Quad

    Hey everyone
    I have a Colostomy and I have had if for almost 4 years, I often talk to people who are thinking about having one, I do this because I remember how hard and how long it took me to get my head around having it done. It actually took a quad friend Chris Chappel to convince to get it done, he actually spent quite a bit of time with me answering questions and actually met me at Craig Hospital (he works there) when I met the doctor who was going to do the surgery.

    With all that said I now have a friend Chad who is a quad and is asking the same questions that I was, but he can not seem to convince himself to have the colostomy or not to have it done. A lot of his questions are with the amount of function he has with his hands and will he be able to manage his care after he has his operation.

    I would like to get some feedback on this thread so he can read and ask some questions about how other quads manage their colostomy on a day to day.

    Chad is a C5-C6 and has had the hand surgery that uses the tendens in the arm to help the hands close.

    Thanks for you help with this, it's what makes this community great.
    Stevie P
    Tags: colostomy, hand function, quad
    #2
    I will leave this for the true experts. However, you might want to check the threads to see what has been written previously.
    CKF
    The SCI-Nurses are advanced practice nurses specializing in SCI/D care. They are available to answer questions, provide education, and make suggestions which you should always discuss with your physician/primary health care provider before implementing. Medical diagnosis is not provided, nor do the SCI-Nurses provide nursing or medical care through their responses on the CareCure forums.

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      #3
      I'm a c6-7, got my colostomy just over 2 months ago. I'm really glad I did. It makes life a lot easier. And I physically feel a lot better. No more bloating. As far as taking care of it. It takes me about 15 to 25 minutes in the morning and evening to change the equipment. It only took a couple of days to feel comfortable to do it. Now I do have some finger movement in my right hand and none in the left.

      Comment

        #4
        Chad here is the thread.

        Comment

          #5
          Hey StevieP, thanks for starting the thread to see the pros/cons regarding a Colostomy. What are the short term and long term risks?

          Comment

            #6
            The pro's and con's are pretty well spelled out by the UACC, and vary from person to person.

            I am not sure if that is what you are talking about when you say "risks".

            CKF
            The SCI-Nurses are advanced practice nurses specializing in SCI/D care. They are available to answer questions, provide education, and make suggestions which you should always discuss with your physician/primary health care provider before implementing. Medical diagnosis is not provided, nor do the SCI-Nurses provide nursing or medical care through their responses on the CareCure forums.

            Comment

              #7
              Hey everyone Big Sky 50 is my friend Chad so lets here from some of the Quads who have had a colostomy done.


              What is your level of injury?
              Hand function?
              How long you have had your colostomy?
              What brand of ostomy supplies do you use?
              Do you need help with your care?

              Also share with Chad any other Pros or Cons that came along with your Colostomy my goal is not to get Chad to have the surgery but for him and others to be able to make a wise decision for their life.

              I know for me it was a good decision and I am thankful that I did it.

              Thanks everyone
              Steve Pisano

              Comment

                #8
                Originally posted by StevieP View Post
                Hey everyone Big Sky 50 is my friend Chad so lets here from some of the Quads who have had a colostomy done.


                What is your level of injury?
                Hand function?
                How long you have had your colostomy?
                What brand of ostomy supplies do you use?
                Do you need help with your care?

                Also share with Chad any other Pros or Cons that came along with your Colostomy my goal is not to get Chad to have the surgery but for him and others to be able to make a wise decision for their life.

                I know for me it was a good decision and I am thankful that I did it.

                Thanks everyone
                Steve Pisano
                Hi, I'm not a quad but thought I would answer anyway in case there are any other questions.

                ~I'm T-10 complete
                ~Full hand function
                ~I've had my ostomy for 2 years
                ~I use the convatec moldable 2 piece technology. I did not like cutting the wafers to fit so the moldable wafers work great. Saves a lot of time and could really benefit someone with limited hand function.
                ~I do not require help but a quad friend of mine has had one for a couple of years. She spends about 25 minutes per day managing it and requires help about once a week when changing her gear.

                I know a few quads and para's with ostomy's and none of them are unhappy with their ostomy at all. One of them summed it up with "hey, I needed help with my bowl program before my ostomy and now I need less help with it".

                I'm happy to help in anyway in regards to supplies, personal experience, diet, ect.....Hope this helps some.
                DFW TEXAS- T-10 since March 20th, 1994

                Comment

                  #9
                  Originally posted by smashms
                  big sky go to the UOAA.org site lots of info there as well. ask any questions that you may have there are several people on here that have them as well.
                  Smashms thanks for the link I am checking it out to see what the site has to offer, actually when you go to the UOAA.org it actually goes to http://www.ostomy.org/ so either one will take you to the same place.

                  Stevie P

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Thanks everybody! There is a lot of information that has already been shared from previous posts/conversations. I need to try some of the equipment out to see if it would be do-able for me to manage on my own. I would want the Colostomy to provide more freedom. not less.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Let us know if we can be of any help. Good luck in your decision and let us know what it is. I applaud your thoroughness.
                      CKF
                      The SCI-Nurses are advanced practice nurses specializing in SCI/D care. They are available to answer questions, provide education, and make suggestions which you should always discuss with your physician/primary health care provider before implementing. Medical diagnosis is not provided, nor do the SCI-Nurses provide nursing or medical care through their responses on the CareCure forums.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        I'm curious as to the location of the ostomy for those that have them. Are they at, below, or above belt line? For the quads out there, do you find it easier being placed above the belt line for managing it, so you do not have the unbutton your jeans.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Big Sky 50 View Post
                          I'm curious as to the location of the ostomy for those that have them. Are they at, below, or above belt line? For the quads out there, do you find it easier being placed above the belt line for managing it, so you do not have the unbutton your jeans.
                          Mine is about an inch and a half below my belly button. My (old man) belt line is about two inches above my belly button.

                          I'm a c7 quad as well and prefer that the bag be 100% contained in my pants.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Patton57 View Post
                            Mine is about an inch and a half below my belly button. My (old man) belt line is about two inches above my belly button.

                            I'm a c7 quad as well and prefer that the bag be 100% contained in my pants.
                            Exactly. If it's not INside your pants, how can you conceal it? I'm C5-6 and just unzip to work on it.

                            Mine is about 1 1/2" left and below my belly button. I can wear pants at, or just below, my belly button without the bag being visible. I wear my bag at 45 degree angle also and can always fold over the top corner if it is slightly visible.
                            "It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it. Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein

                            Comment

                              #15
                              I started drinking a smoothly every morning with Flax Seeds and I really have become regular in my bowel movements, in both areas of firmness and regularity of timing as well. I am finding that what you put in your body (eat),really Has an effect on what comes out of your body.

                              Did you know that if you chew gum it gives you gas.

                              Stevie P

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