Hi Bob,
Welcome to the site. My name is Marsha, and i've had my ileostomy for more than 50 years, since I was a child of 15. I learned a lot along the way. After 4 years, and multiple surgeries, for UC, I was glad to accept my ileostomy . It allowed me to go back to school, and have a " life". I dated, and parties, joined youth groups, hiked, spent days at the beach and pools, aand even went camping. That's when I was young and had little to no anxiety. I always knew I'd have to modify, and adapt....and sometimes things w eren't easy. But I had a zest for life and wasn't going to let anything keep me down. I dated, married ( a man with an ostomy), had & raised two children, went back to school , graduated as a teacher, got divorced, and then really began living, doing things I've always wanted to do. I travelled all over the US, with a friend in a single engine plane ( no bathroom). Ok....once we did have to land in a cornfield unexpectedly because of me... No big deal. We also flew cross country, to Canada, mexico, the Carib and even to Haiti. I found I love to cruise, and got to snorkle.... Like you , I love anything on, in or near the water, and am always cognizant of where the closest bathroom is. I always have supplies with me ( especially tape), and there are times I had to change my appliance in the most unexpected places. But over the 50+ plus years, not as much as you might think. THe urge to travel was persistant.....and I've been all over the world....England Spain, Eastern Europe, Malta, Italy, and then on to more exotic destinations..... Israel, China, South Africa, Japan, and Australia ( 7x) to visit my son and his family who lived there. I've snorkled on the Great barrier reef, flown by helicopter, to a glacier in Alaska, walked on the great wall of china, swam in the dead sea......and enjoyed seeing so much of our beautiful world. With my teacher schedule, I decided to take bits and pieces of my retirement, while I was young and healthy enough to do it, and I don't regret it... I'd still be galavanting around the world, but I've had some medical and financial issues that have " clipped" my wings... but I truly believe that anything is possible with t he right attitude. Best of luck to you.. You're healthier now.....so explore what you want and can do, and enjjoy.. feel free to write...Marsha