An ostomy is not the end of the world. One thing to think about tho... without a colon the "timed release" medicines work different. They don't "time release" unless you have a colon. I have a friend who has a permanent ostomy due to ulcerative colitis when she was only in her 20's... that's how I know about the meds. A few things are different but you can certainly live with it. I hope your mom does well and keeps her chin up.