Temporary Ostomates are Less Happy
November 18, 2009A new research study by the University of Michigan Health System finds that patients who have temporary colostomies are generally less happy than patients with permanent colostomies. And the reason is simple: people with a temporary situation hope for a better future, and consequently postpone getting on with their life in the present. Conversely, patients with permanent colostomies know there is no changing their situation, so they deal with it and move on.
This study confirms what I’ve been suspecting for awhile now: that those with temporary ostomies have a harder time managing them and dealing with body image issues than those with permanent ostomies. Certainly this isn’t true in all cases, but in a significant number from my experience talking with others.
This video from the U of M features the researchers talking about their findings.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: If you live with a temporary ostomy, does this study describe you? Reply to this post and continue the dialogue.
[...] in the News C3Life Blog: the Fear of Temporary Ostomies November 25, 2009 Following last week’s post about new research finding that temporary ostomates are less happy than permanent ostomates, this [...]
I had an emergency colon resection and colostomy on 10/27/2009. Obviously very new to this, but the results of the study do not surprise me. I look forward to holding my 2-year old daughter, I look forward to kayaking, swimming and the many things I did before the rug was pulled for under me. More than anything I look forward to my reversal surgery more than anything. I have been through a lot in my life and have been described as stoic. That is not the case now, this change in my life has knocked me senseless. Perhaps I should concentrate on the present and be grateful that this is a temporary setback. Baby steps, baby steps.