Both the American Journal of Nursing and Nursing2010 published articles in their February issues on ostomy management and complications. I read these articles with great personal interest but I wondered, where were these articles 10 years ago?
My oldest daughter was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when she was 7 years old and despite aggressive treatment for her disease; she required a total colectomy, temporary ileostomy, and an ileo-anal anastamosis when she was 12. As a nurse I thought I was equipped to care for her ileostomy; was I ever wrong. I had experience taking care of hospitalized patients with ostomies, but I quickly learned caring for someone who is active is a totally different story. The 3 months she had her ileostomy were sheer hell! She developed a multitude of complications and we went through several different types of appliances before we found the one that fit her and wouldn’t fall off when she moved. The nurses who were helping us were good but, it was clear there wasn’t a real understanding of how to manage active patients, let alone children, and their complications.
I am thankful that my daughter is well. If you ask her, she will tell you that the date of her surgery was the beginning of her new life. But she will also tell you, living with an ostomy was the most challenging experience she has ever endured. Thank goodness we now have access to the information and equipment that can make an active person’s experience living with an ostomy better.
Posted by Anne Dabrow Woods, MSN, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC
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