www.ostomyland.com

When you are awake you can start to fully comprehend what is going on around you. Probably the first thing you'll notice is a tube attached to your cannula with a Saline solution drip attached. This is to prevent dehydration as, after all, you haven't eaten or drunk anything for a few days.

When the breakfast trolley arrives you'll be offered a drink. It is doubtful you'll be allowed to eat anything until the surgical team has been around and given you the go ahead. It will be the most delicious cup of tea you've ever tasted!

The nurse will come around as she does twice every day to take your blood pressure readings and temperature. She'll also look at the stoma to check how it is progressing. It is also possible that she'll insist you get out of bed and sit in your bedside chair at some point during the day, but this depends on the go ahead of the surgeon. It is highly unlikely he will say no.

When the surgical team arrive they will examine your stoma through the bag, and ask the Houseman if you had a restful night. They will most probably instruct the Nurse to remove the drip and tell you that you can eat small amounts of light food (such as mashed potatoes or soup) today and progress to proper food tomorrow. Of course the team could be so impressed with your progress that they tell you to eat normally straight away, that is always an excellent sign.

Your next visitor will be the Stoma Nurse. It is unlikely that he or she will want to fiddle with the stoma today but just simply have a peek under the bag. Now is a good time to have your first look at the stoma if you wish. The nurse will unclip the bag from the flange to get a proper look.

You'll probably notice that there is quite a bit of blood in the bag - don't panic. This is perfectly normal. With the bag clear you'll notice how the stoma is swollen looking, a dark red colour and covered in blood. The nurse will tell you that everything is fine, replace the bag, and leave you to get some rest. Tomorrow you'll remove all the appliance and clean the stoma for the very first time.

After that the day is pretty much yours to do with as you please. You'll probably sleep most of the time but if you are in your bed too long during the day the nurse will frown at you, and help you into your chair. Any trips to the toilet will be in a wheelchair but tomorrow you'll be able to slowly walk with assistance to the toilet.

You'll have something to eat and think it's the best food in the World. As you get better you'll feel more like complaining about it like everyone else!