As for me, I have had an ileostomy for - has it really been 25 years? I will have to double-check that. Familial Polyposis - so I was never sick for a day, but rather it was preventative, as I would have developed cancer by age 35 without the surgery. I got involved with the local chapter of the United Ostomy Association from the start - edited the newsletter for 23 years before I retired from it last year. I still send out a meeting notice because - naturally, nobody else took over the newsletter. Those are usually jobs for life. I also maintain the chapter's website.
Life is interesting, isn't it? Last week I was dealing with my mom being in the hospital and working with my siblings arranging for her to be moved to a rehab facility. Difficult time for us, but also enjoyable getting together despite the reason. At 81 years old and with breathing difficulties, it is possible our mom can't live alone again, so what comes after rehab? Hmm...
But life sort of returned to normal, with that sword only swinging above our heads for a while, and this weekend my wife and I are taking our first trip to New York City. We have driven by on our way to somewhere else many times, but this time we are staying in a hotel on the upper west side and taking a rather extensive 5-hour tour of the city. Looking forward to it. Going by Greyhound. More on that later...
Speaking of traveling, we flew to Florida for my birthday a few weeks ago (when you live in Maine, a March birthday in Florida appeals). We have a mobile home there in a 55 and over park. I'm not over 55 yet, but we bought it for my mother-in-law and she had to move out. So in a year, I can legally live there! Anyway, I was a little concerned about flying due to the heightened security after the Christmas incident, but it all went great actually. I didn't have to whip out or explain my ostomy pouch or anything. If you don't set off the scanner, you just pass through as normal.
We are going back to Florida in late September, but driving that time because we want to bring a couple of bicycles and other stuff with us. I like driving there, though obviously, it is a long drive. In winter we can watch the changing of the seasons as we move south, plus we stop and visit my wife's sister and our niece in Virginia on the way down. Cheaper too, by the time you factor in a rental car and airplane ticket vs. gas and hotel.
Well, that is enough for right now... more soon. Sorry about the picture, can only get a black box to load. Have an email in to the site about it. Really I am much brighter than I look (grin).
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Hi Deb,
As you can see, the outpouring of love and support from this website will help you to find the strength to lift yourself up and out of your current emotional situation. I am lucky to have my husband by my side through all of this, so I will not even pretend to know how you feel and what you're going through alone. I do know that I have great friends on this site and in my life that have been by my side, and hopefully you have many by your side as well. You do have a lot of new friends here. Please feel free to talk through anything that is on your mind. We all go through a confidence deficit when we go through an ostomy surgery. Our body has been marred and your mind feels that way sometimes too. It is tough to move on, but you will. You will be stronger once you realize that you are still the beautiful woman you were prior to your surgery. Hopefully, you can reach out to a local support group and find some additional friends in your same situation. It always helps to have a sounding board wherever you find it!
Puppyluv