I have been an ostomate for 38 years. I had my original surgery in 1973 at the age of 17. I had been very ill for a few years before they diagnosed colon cancer at a very late stage. Because they didn't expect me to survive, the surgery was kind of a last-ditch effort.
I have had a number of surgeries since, the last being in 2008 to move my stoma due to a major abscess. After 3 weeks in the hospital and 6 in a nursing home (oh joy!), I am back plodding on. It has taken me over a year to recover, and I'm not done yet. Because of the removal of yet more of my small intestine (can't be much left now), I am now dealing with chronic kidney stones. If anyone knows how to live without eating protein, I would love to hear it. Between my damaged liver and kidneys, I don't know what will get me first.
When I hear the news about the latest causes of cancer, I think, "Been there, done that, twice." I no longer worry about what is going to kill me; it's amazing what kind of freedom that gives a person. I enjoy my life, my family, and church. I thank God that I wake up every day with something productive that I can still do.
I wish you all life, joy, and happy tears.