https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6731#M747 Hi Kitkat6478 Basically a Stoma is an extra opening that they put in with a collection bag when they have to remove the bladder, or significant bits of the bowel. There are quite a few organisations out there that offer really good advice and help including specialist nursing help and good practical support. they are collectively covered by the Australian Council of Stoma Associations - http://www.australianstoma.com.au/ I don't have one, but have from time to time been confronted with the [possibility and so found out as much as possible. Regards Sailor Wed, 18 May 2011 11:49:37 GMT Sailor 2011-05-18T11:49:37Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6730#M746 Hi All, My mum has recently been diagnosed with Bladder cancer. Can anyone tell me more about a Stomer? Wed, 18 May 2011 04:36:43 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6730#M746 kitkat6478 2011-05-18T04:36:43Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6731#M747 Hi Kitkat6478 Basically a Stoma is an extra opening that they put in with a collection bag when they have to remove the bladder, or significant bits of the bowel. There are quite a few organisations out there that offer really good advice and help including specialist nursing help and good practical support. they are collectively covered by the Australian Council of Stoma Associations - http://www.australianstoma.com.au/ I don't have one, but have from time to time been confronted with the [possibility and so found out as much as possible. Regards Sailor Wed, 18 May 2011 11:49:37 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6731#M747 Sailor 2011-05-18T11:49:37Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6732#M748 Hi kitkat, My mother had bladder cancer and had her bladder removed and a stoma put in place. As sailor said it's an extra opening that a collection bag is attached to. I don't know much about my mother's experience with it because she didn't talk much about it. The operation was a major one but my mother recovered quicker than expected. At first she needed help from the nurses to change her bag but after a while she could change it herself. The only downside is that it did leak occasionally but that was usually during the night when she was sleeping and got it twisted up. Wed, 25 May 2011 04:40:54 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Coping-with-a-loved-one-s-cancer/Bladder-Cancer/m-p/6732#M748 Just_Me 2011-05-25T04:40:54Z