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Between Surgeries

Sun, February 28, 2010 12:03 PM

I have CD and had a stricture plasty and small bowel resection performed three-weeks ago. As part of the procedure, I had to have a tempory ileostomy which should be reversed (hopefully) by mid-April.

I have a very flexible boss who did not require me to take medical leave from my job while I am recovery at home. My job is something that I can do from home if needed, and I have been working a few hours every day for the past few days as I get my strength back.

I have a lot of discomfort with the ileostomy both physically (the bag hangs too low and the adhesive itches my skin) and emotionally (the fear of leaks and the embarassment of the sounds that sometimes come from the stoma), and I am considering not going back to an office setting until after my reversal.

Anyone out there gone back to work between surgeries? How was it?

Anyone not gone back until after?

Any advice is appreciated.

Kim

kshb
Joined Aug 15, 2009

Wed, April 07, 2010 7:42 PM

Reply posted for natalab07.

Thanks! I actually did decide to go back to the office, and it has been more managable than I thought. I switched to the smaller pouches too which has been a big improvement. I've also been wearing things that camoflag the area--long cardigans, scarves and long tops. My skin has improved over the last few weeks also as it has gotten used to having the wafer on it all the time.

Thanks again for your reply, and I hope you continue to do well.

kshb
Joined Aug 15, 2009

Wed, April 07, 2010 7:21 PM

Reply posted for kshb.

I went back to work after my permanent ileostomy surgery. It IS really tough to get used to. The pouches that work for me are the "drainable" ones that are "small" size (very discreet). I didn't like the longer ones either...still don't. Lol! The noises can be embarrassing, yes. There's really not a whole lot you can do, but I usually wear longer shirts with jeans and sometimes (if I'm sitting down) and you anticipate the "noise", you can hold your hand/s over it or something. Idk. I just learned to deal with it eventually and now can be pretty subtle when situating the pouch when ppl are around. Most of the time when the skin itches, it's either b/c the skin is healing (not used to the tape) or maybe need adhesive remover wipes....use those after changing the wafer and before applying skin prep on skin. Always helps me a lot to try and remove as much adhesive, if not all of it, in between changing the wafers.

natalab07
Joined Apr 7, 2010

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