(This post has been gently edited with the help of AI to improve clarity and flow, as English is not my first language.)
Our first appointment at Fremantle Hospital’s Colorectal Unit was in mid-February. My father, husband, our one-month-old daughter, and I attended, while my mother and toddler stayed home.
While we waited, a thoughtful staff member arranged a quiet corner for me to feed my baby. When our turn came, we met the registrar and a colorectal nurse. The doctor was kind and patient, explaining the biopsy results and recommending major surgery: a Laparoscopic Ultra Low Anterior Resection, possibly with a Temporary Loop Ileostomy.
Given my husband’s young age, the doctor stressed the importance of the operation. The surgeon would remove the area where the polyp had been, then reconnect the remaining ends (anastomosis) to prevent future polyps. The ileostomy, if needed, would temporarily divert waste away from the healing colon, allowing it to rest. The doctor explained that the ileostomy might not be necessary, depending on the anastomosis, and that recovery would take four to six weeks.
A stoma nurse then spent an hour explaining how an ileostomy works: a stoma (an opening on the abdomen) would divert waste into a bag, which would need regular emptying, cleaning, and monitoring for leaks or problematic foods. Months later, if all went well, a second surgery would reverse the ileostomy.
My husband was most distressed by the idea of the ileostomy and the stoma, not the surgery itself. When asked for our decision, we hesitated. The surgery could prevent future polyps, but it wouldn’t guarantee against new ones forming elsewhere, and the potential side effects were daunting. After careful consideration, we consented, knowing that delay would only push us further down the waiting list.
It was surreal how quickly everything moved. Within that half-hour discussion, my husband was scheduled for pre-operative tests—chest x-rays, blood work—all completed that same day. We left the hospital in the evening, awaiting a call with the surgery date.
