Terrence's Story

Back in April 1987 while seeing the doctor, I mentioned, really as a throw away line, that I was passing blood. Well, the next instant I was being probed by my doctor and then referred to a specialist who in turn performed a colonoscopy. I had bowel cancer, what a shock!

I was operated on at Westmead Hospital in New South Wales, Australia, within one month of the original doctor visit. The cancer was near the rectum - the cancerous section plus the rectum were removed and I had a permanent colostomy.

I had the wafer etc applied once by a stomal therapist while in hospital - since then I have attended to "Colon" (the name I gave my stoma) myself. I have irrigated since about 1992 and wish I had irrigated earlier - sometimes I had embarrassing moments.

By the way when travelling, carry a hook used for hanging pots about 9 inches in length, there is always a window sill or shower rail for hanging the apparatus.

In no way has the colostomy been a life style handicap. I dine out at restaurants, travelled to U.K. and Canada on separate trips, swam, played tennis. The only things forbidden were deep sea diving and football.

....Terry

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