Talking to My Ostomy: Am I the Only One?

I talk to Wilbur the stoma a lot. Especially when he is active and noisy! I do not see a problem with it. And it makes light of the situation when I am around other people during those moments. It seems to ease any tension or anxiety that I have about it.

I agree. Sitting around and moping is bad. Everyone needs to be engaged with activities. Marvin Rose, a young buff singer and pianist. I got help to maintain my acreage and home. The stronger I get, the more I can do. I just spent a few weeks glamping on the AT. Smokies and Shenandoah. Other than an occasional 'BURP,' I don't think of my "Little Buddy" (Capt Jonas Grimby).

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Cubs fan. Took 3 years to get enough guts to go to a game, Nico rocks!

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Old Joe Cocker fan

Beautiful country. Never got north of Hinton. Jasper was on fire, sigh.

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Tips on Hernia Prevention with Collin | Hollister

Did not name my stoma, but I do talk to it.

"We are about to take a naked shower, so sleep a bit."

Farts! "Oh my, that was a big one."

"Why the heck are you so active now? We only had soup."

I talk to "my girl" (my stoma) all the time. She's a part of me. But yeah, I never thought I would be talking to a stoma! When I first saw a picture of a stoma in the hospital, I screamed in horror. Now she's my friend. Go figure.

I'm the same. Fascinated by my stomach, Coco, I've called it. Also, I'm so glad it works!

I talk to mine when it's being noisy, or I'm changing the appliance.

Lolll we only had soup! I can really relate to this one 🤭😂

Awww, this is so beautiful; my heart feels so warm!! 💛 Singing and music have been so therapeutic for me recently! 🎶

LOL, I relate to the "we only had soup" too! Though in my case, it's often "we only had one small tub of yogurt!"

Yes, I do every day and all day long and during every bag change. I think it's a coping thing we do?

Name seems quite appropriate and so much more elegant en español también 😝

Lol!

I don't talk to mine (I have both a colostomy and a urostomy), but I do gently massage them when I change bags to make them feel better. After all, they are major parts of my body and are supposed to be deep inside, so I want to soothe them a little.

I am the caregiver for my wife's ileostomy. I've named it Vesuvius. I've spent two years trying to understand it and bend it to my will. It does what the f..k it wants, with no rhyme or reason to when it is quiet, when it is active, and what it will spew (foam, intact fragments of whatever). I hope you can negotiate a truce with yours, such that you can predict what will happen when, which things work, and which don't. The only advice I can give here is to ask Hollister, Coloplast, and Convatec to send you samples. Also, take advantage of the support they all offer. You are in a good place here; this community has helped me SO MUCH! Great people, great ideas—don't ever despair, just keep trying different things until you find what works for you. I'm pulling for you! And so is this entire community!

Oh my God, yes ... I'm so happy to hear others talk about it ... I thought I was weird 😆 I call mine Stomie, and we talk shit to each other all the time ... he's always interrupting me when I talk; he's a bit rude 🤣.... also, I'm so happy I found this community, but yeah, sometimes when I feel good in the mornings after a shower, I'll sing to myself and change words to whatever song to include my stoma. It's usually random, and it makes me laugh. I know I must look crazy, but I'm alone and in my happy place in those moments 😁

Aww, she's lucky to have you to care for her! I'm learning how to listen to her, which foods she likes, which clothes are comfortable. It's really been *a lot* of effort, and I've grown to feel more in tune with my body and its needs through this entire experience. I think before, I just never realized how much I was neglecting my body, and it's like that's not an option if I want to heal as much as possible. It's a good thing, I think! Thank you so much for your kindness and support; it's so helpful! 💫

Hi. My stoma's name is Buddy. He has been with me for about seven months. He is precious because he saved my life, and he is as important as an arm or a leg, although I haven't named other parts of my body. But Buddy and I have a very special relationship, and while he is sometimes annoying (when he poops during a bag change) or mischievous (pushing forth so much product in a day that the bag needs changing three times), he is generally quiet and good, and I take very good care of him and vice versa. I have fairly recently changed to a one-piece disposable bag, rather than the type that needs emptying (which I had used since my surgery), and it has been life-changing. I feel cleaner, more comfortable, and just generally more hygienic. I have tried several brands and types, and the Coloplast SenSura Mio Soft Convex seems to work best for me. I wish you the best, and I am glad you named your stoma. It is a new friend. Bette

Of course, you should talk to your stoma. When I originally got mine, I named her Hagatha the Bagatha, as it made me laugh. I wasn't overly excited about “having her join” me, so it was just something I did to cope. She was an ileostomy at this point, and I was given her during a life-saving surgery in the ER. I was told she was temporary as I got a bowel obstruction due to radiation and chemo combined, burning two holes in my bowels, which caused excrement to leak into my intestines and caused me to go toxic. I was just diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, and this was the start of my year-long treatment and surgeries. Fast forward to 31 days total in 2024 hospitalized, close to 20 hours of major surgery over 3 separate days on my colon and liver. I now have a permanent colostomy. I have found peace with the fact that without her, I wouldn't be here. I changed her name to Lagatha, as she isn't really truly a HAG. I just needed to adjust to her and be more grateful. Now I live day by day, learning to irrigate and wear a stoma cap instead of a bag most days. Without her, there would be no me, and I thank her daily for it.

I'm a little" late getting into the conversation here Ms. Mia.  I first named my stoma "Debra" in honor of the wife on "Everybody loves Raymond".  "Debra" was short, fiery, unpredictable and sometimes loud.  My wife grew tired of the name, as it is also that of her Sister!  Until I explained it, she couldn't figure out how/why I was suddenly so interested in her Sister.  

Moving on as to whether one should talk to it, as noted by Warrior above, do what you need to.  If I had a good sized breakfast before changing my appliance, we have a long, calm conversation.  Kind of like taking a bone from a dog.  We don't need any sudden surprises.  And yes, for those who are thinking "I would never take a bone from a dog".  I too have that thought that I would never change my appliance after a good meal.  Sometimes though, $h!+ happens! 

Have a great day all.

SharkFan

Hi SharkFan haha that's a silly one I like it. Thanks for sharing and for your support.