Hi, Bob~
A WOCN who frequently joined our ROA support group meetings said that she had witnessed a marked increase in the number of ostomy surgeries performed over the previous year. Just an anecdote to support your observation of many new members on this site of late. (It may also be due to word getting out about this amazing community! : ) )
Science has yet to pinpoint one or more causes for the variety of autoimmune diseases leading so many of us to this site. And for those of us that SEARCH for concrete answers to our "Why?", and believe in causation...that lack of a black-and-white, this-is-why-you-became-sick discovery can be a hard thing to accept. Until that scientific answer is determined, I will - for lack of a more genteel term - suck it up and deal. Keep living my life, one blessed day at a time, and keep moving forward.
I am somewhat dismayed to think that an ever-increasing percentage of our world population will be dealing with this life-change, and all that may imply.
However, on the other side of the proverbial coin, yes, I think - in a broader perspectiive - it is a very good thing: it is wonderful to know that another ostomate has SURVIVED their pre-surgical medical condition and/or the incident requiring an ostomy! Another person is still on the sunshine-side of the turf, may be aided by those of us with experience on how to transition and thrive, and who - in time - may pass that compassion and assistance forward to others in the same situation.
I have cheated Death several times since my Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis, and know, without question, that I wouldn't be typing these words tonight if I hadn't had the amazing & undying support of family & friends, great medical teams, the scientific & medical advances of our era, understanding employers and last, but not least, the wisdom of the resilient ostomates I have encountered for whom I have tremendous respect and admiration.
I couldn't have gotten through my challenges alone - and I wouldn't want to.
Be well, Bob, and thank you for being here~
Lily17