I have had my ileostomy for 7 months now and I have two more months to go. Well, at least I think I do. I have an appointment with my surgeon on January 18th to see if he will still be able to reverse it. It has been so hard having "Stubby da Stoma" as you guys already know. I am OCD and a slight germaphobe, so I have to change my disc every day. That has been costly because insurance won't supply but so much, but I can't put a price on my peace of mind. If I could change my bag ten times a day, I probably would, but I am back to work now so I can't. I can't deal with my bag in public restrooms, which is why I live 2 minutes from where I work and will use any lunch or break time to go home, take a bath, and start fresh and new all over again. I take a little something from my doctor to get my head right when I just can't get home to take care of Stubby. It has been a rough year; I almost lost my marriage, dialysis, and stoma all in the same year and completely in reverse order. Guess you can't blame someone for trying to stick it out with their ostomy spouse but have doubts. I would like to think if the roles were reversed, I would be able to be there for my spouse if he were the one with the ostomy, but I can barely stand myself. I don't know what it is about my state of mind right now, I have been a trooper about the entire thing. Still going to work in designer clothes, hair and makeup, and nails done, and no one at work would ever believe it, but it seems the closer I get to knowing whether or not I can have Stubby reversed, the more anxiety I feel. God, please give me the strength to deal with the decision either way.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,439 members.
“I found real people, real humor, and answers I couldn’t get anywhere else.”
“The support here impressed my husband’s medical team - they plan to recommend it.”
“This community saved me when I thought I was a freak. Now I’m thriving.”
“Thank god for this site - I finally knew what to ask my surgeon.”
This group has been my go-to during my loneliest hours whenever I've had a "bag blowout" at 3am and there was no one else in the world to talk to.
Because it's a global community, there's always someone here to lend an ear, provide advice, and just hold my hand if that's all I need.
Sure, there's also a lot of camaraderie, fun topics, and laughs, but the main reason I come here is for the total acceptance I get from the members. No one else on the planet could possibly "get" what I'm going through, not even my loving husband or supportive family.
The "Meet an Ostomate" forum is definitely a one-of-a-kind family, which I am very proud to belong to.
M
xo