So I'm new here, and I've already met a few lovely people! Just thought I would share my story about how I got here and what I plan to do in the future. Any advice is welcomed lovingly!!
When I was 15, I was misdiagnosed with celiac disease, bowel infections, and common sickness bugs. Only after an endoscopy, colonoscopy, and being rushed into the hospital did they actually find out that I had Ulcerative Colitis! I was in the hospital for over a week on different strengths and types of steroids, not being able to keep any food in my body. I had a chocolate milkshake a day and lost 2 stone. When they finally realized the steroids weren't working, they pumped a load of immunosuppressant drugs into me, which just made me worse, to be honest! On July 10th, 2009, I was told I would be having surgery and getting an ileostomy. I didn't actually know what it was until I woke up in intensive care on the 11th. I remember having to walk the day after my surgery even though I was on a morphine drip and in agony! After that, the next 3 days were a blur. It's almost been a year now, and I'm considering getting the Pelvic/J-Pouch. There are pros and cons, but I honestly don't know what I want anymore! On one hand, I like my bag because it's easy to deal with, and no one cares when I tell them, but on the other hand, I'm young. I want to be able to go to the beach and wear a bikini without people staring at my bag all the time!
It's a long one for my first blog, but I hope it gets people talking :)

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mild_mannered_super_hero
Great place for newbies to learn, I have helped many folks on here learn to irrigate, plus learned a few tricks myself. Great informative site.
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Hollister
Ostomy surgery is stressful both for the patient and the caregiver, and creates a major life change for both people in a relationship.
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.