Airforce pilot with an ostomy

I am a pilot for the united states airforce and have been for almost five years now. I had always had a fascination with planes, significantly when I was growing up. I followed my dream and became an airforce pilot shortly after graduating from high school and since then have not looked back. I enjoy flying; it is a freeing feeling being eleven thousand feet in the air. I fly recon missions primary, but a few action missions as well, which are nerve-racking, to say the least, but having my wingmen on my side helps enormously. One day as we were going about our regular recon over the operation area, we took fire. 

I still remember that day as if it were yesterday; it was one of the scariest experiences I’ve had while flying. The day was like any other, clear blue skies with puffy white clouds dotting the atmosphere here and there. The next thing I remember, I see a massive fireball to my left. My wingman and a close friend were just shot down by an anti-air missile. I knew I was next. I had to shake that thought. I dumped my flares and began taking evasive maneuvers as rifle fire pecked the bottom of my plane. The next thing I know, the missile lock alarm is blaring. I did not have enough time to react, only a few seconds, I shot my final volley of flares, but it was not in time. We took a hit to the nose of the plane. All the electronics were freaking out, along with my copilot. I had to get us close to the ground as fast as possible. I put the plane into a full dive to the ground and pulled up with only a few hundred feet separating us from the earth. We pulled our ejector seats, and it was at this time I realized I had a piece of shrapnel in my stomach. 

Following this incident, I was rushed to the army hospital, where they assessed me. After deciding to remove the shrapnel, the doctor was able to get a better look. He told me I would need to have emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and had to get a colostomy as my colon was shredded to pieces like string cheese.

Obviously, after hearing this, anyone would be devastated as I was. I knew what a colostomy bag was, and I had buddies with them. I feared my chances of being a pilot were out the window but was relieved when the doctor told me I could resume my flying with a benefit. I did not ever have to worry about holding my bowel movements as I was flying. This put a smile on my face, and a bit of a chuckle came out. When I got back to work after some physical therapy, I came to find out my doctor was right; it is nice carrying a bathroom with me in a tiny plane.

My life as a pilot has been changed because of my accident, but I am relieved I can still fly, and I am alive today. It is an odd feeling doing the maneuvers we do and feeling the liquid in my bag moving around, kind of gross, honestly, but I will get used to it in time. Because of my efforts in saving my copilots’ life, i got a medal of honor. I am not too proud of that medal as it reminds me of one of the worst days of my life.

How is Life with Ileostomy? – Care Guide You Might Need at Home

An ileostomy is a kind of ostomy surgery. It happens as a result of an incision of the ileum. It is a part of the intestine, called the small intestine. When there is a serious disease or infection in the small intestine, then a patient needs an ileostomy. It appears on the upper left side of the tummy. It usually excretes a thin or liquid form of stool. When a person is unable to pass the stool to the colon and you cannot have a normal bowel movement, then you will have to go through ileostomy surgery. It does not pass the liquid form of poop to the colon. It will directly allow the waste to exit the body from the opening, called a stoma. Therefore, your anus will go to rest for a few months or the rest of the life. This means that ileostomy can be permanent and temporary. It depends on the case of the patient. Usually, ileostomy surgery is permanent. However, a kind of it, called j-pouch or k-pouch surgery is temporary. In these cases, doctors create an internal pouch at the point of the small intestine and large intestine meet up. It collects all the waste from the stomach, then passes it out through the natural path. However, this is temporary, after the healing of the primary disease, the surgeon removes the internal pouch.

Why and When an Ileostomy Becomes Necessary?

Well, the ileostomy occurs as a result of an injury, infection, cancer, IBD, or any other serious disease in the small intestine. When the ileum is unable to pass the liquid form of stool, then the body needs surgery. In such cases, the small intestine directly passes the stool to the opening in the belly wall. Thus, the other parts of the digestive system get time for healing. When the disease recovers, surgeons reverse the process of ileostomy and closes the hole of the belly wall. Moreover, as a result of an accident that blocks the ileum or colon, usually, doctors have to create an artificial opening in the belly wall, called a stoma. It is round in shape and appears on the usual left side of the belly button. It always releases the liquid form of the stool. In case of solid for, you need to consult the doctor.

Ileostomy Stoma Care

The first care you will get for your stoma is from the nurse at the hospital. Well, an ostomate will have to learn about the caring procedure of the ostomy at the clinic. Once you are at home, you will have to take care of yourself on your own. Well, a person will need the support and care of family members. But, still, you should know how to change the pouch and when to change it. Therefore, first, learn about the shape and kind of stoma you have had. Then, you should know the difference between the normal and abnormal shapes of the opening. Also, learn how you will identify, either your stoma is healthy or unhealthy. Moreover, sometimes your doctor recommends you to have a special diet. Thus, an ostomate should follow the special prescription regarding food.

Moreover, an ileostomy patient will excrete the liquid stool three to four times a day. It depends on the diet you are following. Thus, a person should know when to change the pouching system. As the ileostomy releases the liquid form; thus, you should know which type of adhesive you require. Well, the low-quality adhesive will cause leakage and it can create infection on the peristomal skin. The skin around the opening should be dry. Therefore, change your stoma bag when you feel the discharge.

Else, you can perform all your daily activities and enjoy your personal life the way you spend before the ileostomy.