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I am a 52 year old T=11 paraplegic who has been in the chair for 26 years. I am told my bladder is just not going to hack it much longer. I have kind of been given 2 choices; snip and drip or a urostomy. Over the years I have been prone to some horrible uti's. The Dr. says that I will get fewer uti's and not as bad. Also because of my age It has the least amount of maintenance. I sure would like to hook up with someone who has one for your opinion.
Thank you
Pierce2
urostomy
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Hi,
I don't have a urostomy, I an an ET nurse who has worked with a lot of them and also have a background in rehab so have worked with SCI pts also.
Having a urostomy often makes self care easier for a quad in that it raises the "exit" and makes it easier to access. No transfers, unzipping, removing pants needed. Well maybe a little unzipping. In fact, sometimes it is done for that reason alone.
A good urostomy will cause little disruption in your life...just make sure your surgeon knows you want a stoma that is well sited (not in a crease when you are seated) and protrudes at least 1 inch! Those are probably the most important factors in how easy life with a urostomy will be. If you opt for a continent urostomy (you don't wear a pouch but you do have to catheterize several times a day) be sure your surgeon has done a number of that particular surgery. Continent urostomies are becomming more common. When they work well, they are great.
The other big factor is the psychological one. You already have had major experience in adjusting to altered body image. Adjusting to having a urostomy is the same sort of thing. It's still a big adjustment even though it is planned and more voluntary than becoming a quad was.
Good luck.
I don't have a urostomy, I an an ET nurse who has worked with a lot of them and also have a background in rehab so have worked with SCI pts also.
Having a urostomy often makes self care easier for a quad in that it raises the "exit" and makes it easier to access. No transfers, unzipping, removing pants needed. Well maybe a little unzipping. In fact, sometimes it is done for that reason alone.
A good urostomy will cause little disruption in your life...just make sure your surgeon knows you want a stoma that is well sited (not in a crease when you are seated) and protrudes at least 1 inch! Those are probably the most important factors in how easy life with a urostomy will be. If you opt for a continent urostomy (you don't wear a pouch but you do have to catheterize several times a day) be sure your surgeon has done a number of that particular surgery. Continent urostomies are becomming more common. When they work well, they are great.
The other big factor is the psychological one. You already have had major experience in adjusting to altered body image. Adjusting to having a urostomy is the same sort of thing. It's still a big adjustment even though it is planned and more voluntary than becoming a quad was.
Good luck.
Hi
I believe that the ET said it well (good advice). Site of the stoma is very important, imagine placing a 4" x 4" sguare on your stomach area right of the bellybutton & not too low . Remember the ET, No creases. The way you wear the patch will vary from time to time, more on that later. Nite drainage containers (daily rinse & wash) will take care of the sleep problems, no more getting up to drain during the night or full bladder to contend with.
I believe that you will not regret for one minute doing a urostomy. I can speak from experience, I'm a T-3 Para (14 yrs), much older than you (74), with a urostomy (5 yrs).
Good Luck
I believe that the ET said it well (good advice). Site of the stoma is very important, imagine placing a 4" x 4" sguare on your stomach area right of the bellybutton & not too low . Remember the ET, No creases. The way you wear the patch will vary from time to time, more on that later. Nite drainage containers (daily rinse & wash) will take care of the sleep problems, no more getting up to drain during the night or full bladder to contend with.
I believe that you will not regret for one minute doing a urostomy. I can speak from experience, I'm a T-3 Para (14 yrs), much older than you (74), with a urostomy (5 yrs).
Good Luck