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Show Cancer Answer QUESTION : My husband has been told he has to have a colostomy. What does this mean? ANSWER: When portions of the colon or rectum are surgically removed because of cancer or other disease and the two ends of the bowel cannot be connected, an opening must be made in the abdominal Wall through which bodily wastes can be eliminated. This procedures is called a colostomy. The opening is called a stoma. The colostomy may be either temporary or permanent. In the latter case, the patient, after being helped to adjust to , fa some initial problems, can lead an otherwise normal, fully active life. There are many Americans in every walk of life business people, homemakers, teachers, athletes, actors, writers, doctors, etc. who have colostomies and lead active lives. To help colostomy patients adjust, the American Cancern Society, through its Units and Divisions, supports a voluntary visitation program. Someone who has had a colostomy works with a new colostomy patient with the approval of the physician to help the new patient adapt to new daily routines. |