Hi Carrie, Here goes.
1. 54 years old 2. I had an indwelling catheter 3. I had a few complications. First, I lost blood, so I was given blood afterwards. Second, my bowels did not want to wake up. So, after 3 or 4 days, I had a NG tube put in my nose, which was horrible!! I was fed by IV. After about 1 1/2 weeks, my bowels woke up and I went home. Then, I was admitted to the hospital a week later because my blood count was low, which made me feel really bad. It turned out that the NG tube gave my stomach an ulcer. That was an easy fix with giving me more blood and medication that I took for a few months. I was in the hospital 2 days No bleeding since. My bladder was removed and my female organs. The cancer didn't go beyond my bladder wall. 4. My life is easier in the sense that I don't have to worry about my catheter plugging, leaking or being pulled out. Before the cancer was found, I was leaking really bad, more than I ever did. But, someone still has to change my pouch twice a week or more, depending on if it leaks. I use a leg and bed bag as before, so nothing new there. I thunk it's turning out to be better than having a catheter. It saved my life. 5. My stoma area is healrhy. I've had a few UTi's. Also, when I had a CT scan done last December, it was determined my left urether was a little narrow, but putting a stent in for a few months cured that. I'm having another scan next month, so hopefully it's all good. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it's useful info . If I forgot anything, I'll let you know. Julie Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab®4 -------- Original message -------- From: Carrie Pinter <[email protected]> Date: 5/5/2017 4:20 PM (GMT-07:00) To: 'Julie Napper' <[email protected]>, [email protected], 'quad-list' <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] Females! Do you use ostomy pouches for urine only? Quad and cancer?? Wow, that’s rough, but I bet you’re a trooper. Thanks for replying. Are you willing to answer these questions? 1. Approximately how old were you when you had the operation? I was 29. 2. How did you urinate prior to the operation? I had an indwelling catheter. 3. Did the operation go smoothly? Did you have complications afterward? I didn’t. 4. Has your life been easier having the ostomy bag? Is it easier to empty? Has it made you more independent? Yes to all, for me. 5. Is the stoma-area still healthy ? Any infections or any other problems in the last couple years? This is a no for me, and I’ve had it for 16 years. Thank you again. I’m really looking for honesty about your experience, so If you want to answer any of these I’d appreciate it. If not, I totally get it. Have a great weekend 😊 Carrie From: Julie Napper [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, May 5, 2017 4:00 PM To: [email protected]; quad-list <[email protected]>; Carrie Pinter <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Females! Do you use ostomy pouches for urine only? I had a urostomy done in October 2015, due to bladder cancer. Julie c4-5 ________________________________ From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2017 4:51 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>; [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Females! Do you use ostomy pouches for urine only? Most, who actually use that system are those with Spna Bifida, rather than Spinal Cord Injury. Granted, there are a few, but far between. Consider some of the other methods, Supra-pubic Indwelling Texas Cath Self Taps Cath. Best Wishes In a message dated 5/4/2017 5:44:52 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> writes: Hi ladies, Do you, or any paralyzed woman you know, have a urostomy bag? I’m researching quads who urinate through a stoma into the bag, and then simply empty the bag, rather than catheterizng through the stoma (aka, umbilicus urostomy). I’m not finding much research on the topic, but I thought of all of you! I’d appreciate any experience or info you might have. Thank you so very much, Carrie
