A sense of humor is a wonderful thing, more precious than strength, or smarts, or even great hair. For some of us, it is what got us through our illnesses, helped us to handle our pain, and come to grips with the challengles of an ostomy. "He was born with a gift of laughter," wrote Sabatini in Scaramouche, "and a sense that the world was mad." It is a little bit crazy, when you think about it, the whole cockamamie concept of our re-plumbed bodily functions. We came out of surgery like models metamorphosed into a Picasso painting. Picasso described his art as "magic designed as a mediator between this strange hostile world and us." So, we may have to wear a bag on our belly, but at least we did not end up with both our eyes on one side of our head.
You are entirely right, and the Sabatini quote on Scaramouche is apt. "Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango?" go the lines from the Freddie Mercury song Bohemian Rhapsody. Incidentally, Mercury was a Pakistani Parsi brought up in Africa and England. What a genius he was; many of his numbers were based on historical occurrences and are difficult to understand. Bohemian Rhapsody is a particularly difficult one.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,411 members.
“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”
“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”
“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”
MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.
Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.
For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.
Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.
I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.
Sincerely,
An Ileostomate nicknamed Justbreathe 🫶🏼
Hi Henry, laughter is so important to our health, both mental and physical. It cannot be overstated. I'm glad to see a more lighthearted post from you as your posts have been getting a little dark in the last few days as that November date approaches!
Sometimes when things are looking really bad and you have no control over the situation, laughter is the only thing you have.
All the best,
Terry
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Hello HenryM.
I agree wholeheatedly that humour is important in life, especially to those who struggle with emotional turmoil. Needless to say, I have had a few things to say in rhyme on this subject.
Best wishes
Bill
“I SOMETIMES ASK THE QUESTION WHY
SOME FOLKS LAUGH WHEN THEY SHOULD CRY.”
JUST FOR LAUGHS.
I write this verse for those who may
use humour in communiqué.
Witty gems that are so funny
cannot be bought for vulgar money.
Give me just one laugh a day
to keep my sadder thoughts at bay.
I would go that extra mile
to bring forth a deep-felt smile.
Sometimes it’s easy to be sad
with all the problems I have had.
But when I read those jokes out loud
it tends to lift the darkest cloud.
Jokes can lift emotions high.
They make me laugh or sometimes cry.
If they are wicked or filthy
they tend to make me feel guilty.
I feel I should not laugh at jokes
that ridicule less able folks.
For I have seen the darker half
of these things that make us laugh.
I never seemed to have the mind
to laugh at things that are unkind.
What some humour does for me
is simply raise my empathy.
I am confused to be amused
with all of my emotions fused.
That which should not make me smile
will steal my self-respect a while.
Nonetheless, I giggle too
at humour aimed at me and you.
Out goes all my good intent
as it gives way to merriment.
But I can’t seem to help myself.
Humour creeps along with stealth.
Even under saddest cloud
suddenly I’ll laugh out loud.
So, I pay tribute to the ones
who produce the jokes and puns.
They bring me pleasure midst the pain.
A laugh is treasure found again.
B. Withers 2011
YOU’VE GOTTA LAUGH.
“LET’S JOKE ABOUT ADVERSITY
AND LAUGH AT ITS ABSURDITY”.
(in: Laugh or Lament 2019)