So, I'm sitting in my room at the rehab, surrounded by three other folks with various forms of "ick" that they're trying to recover from. One guy has diabetes, lost his big toe on his left foot, and now may lose the leg due to infection... The other fella weighs about 320 lbs, and feels everyone needs to cater to him because, well, he is so overweight and he can't do anything for himself...because he has blood clots, and half his heart is beating because of the gravitational pull from the full moon outside, and when there is no moon outside then his hair hurts because of his blood clots!! The third guy has had knee surgery, and claims they forgot to put his knee cap back in before they shot his incision closed with an industrial style staple gun....then there's me..Mr. Chorns!! I'm the quiet guy in the back of the room nobody notices because everybody is too busy making sure the big guy is comfortable.
As I sit there wondering when I will be going home, the big guy asks me why I was there in rehab. "Well," I said, "I have Chorn's, and my colon decided enough was enough, it didn't like the working conditions anymore, and shut down due to lack of interest!" "Really?!" the big guy says. "Oh yes!" I continued. "I had to have surgery to remove most of my colon, and then they installed the outlet for the port a potty to hook up to." I lift up my shirt, and show him my scar and bag, I watch his eyes get real big, then he turned to look at the fella with the knee surgery. "Hey! Check this guy out...he has a bag on him!" The other two look my way, and I stood up to make sure they had a good view and all. Mr. knee surgery says "Man, I don't want to see that!" and turns his head away, while Mr. no big toe said, "My grandma had that... she lived to be one hundred and three! Said the bag gave her a longer life." He turns and continues to watch TV. As I put my shirt back down it dawned on me that people made comments when I was crazy sick from Chorn's flare-ups, and now after I had the "surgery" folks are still making comments. Well, let them! I read the blogs here on this site from folks who feel like they are rejects or are not good enough anymore because they have a BAG on them, and they're afraid of what folks will think about them...to that I say forget about what other people think! It's about how YOU think. For those who feel bad about wearing a bag, please don't! You are still awesome folks! You have been through the ringer, yes...but you're still alive, and you can still be a positive force in the world! So think positive! Stay positive! Good things will come your way! Your mentality creates your reality! In other words, you are what you think! Be good to yourself. There is a time in life when you walk away from all the drama, and the people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh! Forget the bad and focus on the good, love the people who treat you right, pray for those who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy! Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living! ~hugs to all~ dg44
DG ...well, I must say... YOU SAID IT ALL!!! BRAVO!
I couldn't have said it any better!!!
As I have gotten the pleasure to meet and get to know you, I want to thank you for always being a constant reminder to be good to myself... To choose life... you are always so positive and strong... even when it isn't easy to always put a smile on your face. I value you as a friend, and I know that we will remain friends for life! You have been very important to my recovery and to many other ostomates! I am proud to call you my friend! Traci40
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,411 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.”
Hubz had a regular checkup with the oncologist on Friday (his numbers are improving), and as they were asking how he's feeling since surgery, they became curious about how he's doing so well with his ostomy, both physically and mentally. He credited doing research online, trying different things, and especially the support from this group. They were asking because they see so many patients struggling to adjust.
We described this group as folks with every kind of ostomy, some for days while others for decades, but all willing to share what's worked for them with the caveat that every individual is different.
We described the most valuable element as feeling like you're not alone in this. That really piqued their interest, and they wrote down the link. It seems they had a few people in mind that might benefit from the community and thanked us for telling them about it.
You know, we can't remember exactly who we learned about this group from, but we're grateful for it every day! Thank you all! 🌻
Learn about convexity and 4 myths surrounding it.
Nothing more to say, you said it beautifully!!!
Thanks, DG........Anybody ever tell you that you're a VERY WISE man?
"Salute"....BEG
My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister
Hey DG,
Bravo for you! Just think, you are actually in a revival of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Sit back and laugh. And your comments about life and how we all contribute are priceless and most uplifting. Why so many people with ostomies think they are second-class citizens is beyond me. Catch you later, DG!
Thank you for sharing such a great blog. It's amazing that you are where you are at this point in your recovery. You're awesome!
You always keep me Smylin :)
Well said, DG, I have spent too long wasting time thinking of the past. Here's to a new future x
Your comment made me laugh and then cry, but it was a good cry. Thank you, Robin.
Learn how convex skin barriers work and what benefits they offer.
Glad you enjoyed them. I wish I could get back into this one and fix all the misspellings. Geesh! Though in my defense, I was doped up pretty good at this time, so I'm surprised I was writing in coherent sentences!
This was 11 years ago!
Anyway... You're an amazing person; never give up on yourself and always keep a positive attitude, no matter how crazy things are around you.
I may write some more posts here soon... I'm overdue!
Hee hee hee
Be awesome!