HUSBAND, father and grandfather, Logan Naidoo said getting an ileostomy bag 40 years ago was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Logan felt compelled to relay his journey after reading about colostomy patient Josh Reynolds published in Berea Mail two weeks ago.
An ileostomy is a stoma constructed by bringing the end or of the small intestine out onto the surface of the skin. The surgical procedure creates an opening in the intestine. Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an external ostomy system which is placed next to the opening.
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Logan and his wife Petronella, were hesitant when they first found out that Logan would have to have an ileostomy, which is a procedure with permanent results.
When Logan first fell ill, Petronella thought she was going to lose her husband, “There was an ambulance parked outside my house when I came home. I thought something had happened to one of my in-laws. I get there to see what’s going on and they were pushing my husband out of the house!”
Petronella said she was traumatised, “It was one of the most difficult moments of my life.”
Logan was told he had ulcerative colitis, a bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract.
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Not long after the diagnosis, and still in hospital, Logan had a health scare, “The nurses called me and said that he was on the brink of death, when I arrived his skin was blue and I thought I would lose him forever,” said Petronella.
Doctors decided to perform the procedure to attach an ileostomy to his body.
The surgery was carried out in 1979 and since then the couple has raised a daughter and are proud grandparents to two grandchildren.
Logan has gone on to give educational talks and guide fellow ileostomy and colostomy bag patients through the journey by speaking at King Edward VIII Hospital, “After two years with my ileostomy I was called in by King Edward to help the other patients through the process, because it can be a hard adjustment but it is possible if you have faith,” said Logan.
Logan said he doesn’t restrict himself, “I didn’t see it as a pleasant thing at the beginning but it has been the best thing to ever happen to me. I have had more time with my family. I eat the food that I want to eat and I still play soccer and cricket. At the age of 68 I feel great!”
Petronella and Logan haven’t let their hardships affect their love, “I will say that I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. It’s very important that your partner supports you with something of this nature and she has always supported me,” said Logan.
He leaves other ileostomy and colostomy bag users with some advice, “You must never feel embarrassed. It is your way of life and you never deserve to be victimised because of it. Other people in the community must be supportive, you don’t have to change a thing.”
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