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had surgery January 2008 my first in thirty years, has anyone had a surgery then months later felt depressed and sad? Im grateful for the out come so far but still worried things will change. Ive been through alot in all the years but never felt this way...has anyone felt like this too???

 Reply posted for JeffDC.

He will be having a permanent ostomy after next weeks surgery to remove his rectum. He is not very computer savvy but is very interested to hear things that I find out here and the ostomy associations website as well. I agree about the environmental impacts of weather and just being at home trying to get better affecting your mental state. So in August I sent him on a trip down south to be with other family members to lift his spirits. He was reluctant and nervous about traveling with his ostomy but it lifted his spirits for awhile. It also shed some light to them about what his new ostomy life is like, it was good for them and us. His brother even learned how to help him change his appliance. These sites are great and have always been a source of knowledge and inspiration to me and I am thankful for the support. It helps us feel not alone in our situations.

 Reply posted for KimberlyL.

Kimberly, I agree on the mental aspect. I had my colon removed in late Dec. 2006. January was mostly miserable-lots of emotional ups and downs. It helped when the weather was nice with lots of sunshine, but being January, we had a lot of crappy days. Man, those were tough days to stay positive. Having someone to talk with who was going through the same thing would have been very beneficial.

 Reply posted for 30263.

I have offered everything I could think of to him: therapy, support groups etc. His Dr. prescribed anti-depressants but he hasn't taken them. I support him every step of the way and sometimes it is all so overwhelming for both of us. I am considering going to the ostomy support meetings even if he isn't willing or ready. He needs to come to it on his own.He has been so sick for so many years, and still is, that it is so hard to change your thinking. I can't wait until he finally feels some relief and can move forward. I believe and hope for that every day and work towards that with encouragement, education, support and love. I wonder the percentages of marital breakdowns due to chronic illnesses like these. For better or worse and hope for the future.

 Reply posted for beachlvr.

i think your feelings are quite normal. things are great for many years, then a #$%#^$ disease rears its ugly head. then we all go through varying degrees of *** .

 Reply posted for KimberlyL.

Your husband has experienced a major life change and this new surgery will be a big change also. Have you considered finding a counselor for him so that he will be able to work through some of these issues? It does help...

 Reply posted for beachlvr.

I dont know if this is the same, but after my first surgery, it was an odd feeling to not have pain. Learning to live without pain seems like it would be fabulous-but it is a change. And change is difficult. Worrying that things can't remain so good was something I experienced also. I guess because I had been so sick for so long, losing the pain was like losing part of myself.

I had to sort of realize this was new life and trust in it. I also wanted to protect it, so I tried to think on good things. Read inspirational literature, explore your faith, watch funny movies, go do things that you have been missing, even if feels strange at first. ....I just reread what I just wrote and I think that is advice I need to do for myself!  I wonder if there is something going on tonight...

 Reply posted for KimberlyL.

thank- you for your response your right maybe there should be an after surgery type meetings to talk about how we feel. I wish your husband much good luck and prayers....

 Reply posted for beachlvr.

My husband feels the same way his surgery to remove his colon was 6 months ago. In 2 weeks he is having his rectum removed and I am deeply concerned about the emotional/mental impact it will have on him. I think that when people have these types of surgery part of the aftercare should involve some sort of required treatment for the mental aspect of the whole thing.At some point patients have the potential to lose hope of feeling well enough again.The diseases that end up with these type of surgeries usually go on for quite a long time so there is the feeling of never being in a good spot or any period of relief. I wish you the best. Talk to your healthcare provider about how your feeling. We talked with my husbands about it. I wish I could say he felt better but that could be a long time coming. Best of luck.