Sorry for giving you the wrong impression, Loretta, but I am a bagger now. In May of 2004, I had my January 2004 ileostomy reversed. That reversal worked really great, and I had a very active life with a J-Pouch until 2010 when they found precancerous cells in my pipeline. As a consequence, they removed just about everything, leaving me with an ileostomy and an option for reversal again with a small K-pouch. I declined to have this second reversal since I knew I would need to run to the BR much too frequently. If your doctor believes you are a perfect candidate for a reversal, commit yourself completely to the process and let fear strike out. The best of times is ahead for you, Dave, Darla, and Colm. I can only add that I never stopped living a full life even with an ostomy. One of my favorite poets, William Blake, wrote about mind-forged manacles that imprison us by unnecessary restrictions we place upon ourselves. Instead, let's drink to life and live it as fully as we can. PB

This is a remarkable community of 40,817 members.
You will get real advice from fellow ostomates who truly understand you - things you won't find in the books.
And it's not all about ostomy - there is friendship and relationships too.
Privacy is very important - your profile is not visible to the outside world.
Marjatta
This group has been my go-to during my loneliest hours whenever I've had a "bag blowout" at 3am and there was no one else in the world to talk to.
Because it's a global community, there's always someone here to lend an ear, provide advice, and just hold my hand if that's all I need.
Sure, there's also a lot of camaraderie, fun topics, and laughs, but the main reason I come here is for the total acceptance I get from the members. No one else on the planet could possibly "get" what I'm going through, not even my loving husband or supportive family.
The "Meet an Ostomate" forum is definitely a one-of-a-kind family, which I am very proud to belong to.
M
xo