On Friday 30th September, it was 3 weeks since my final operation. It doesn't seem like long when I think how much better I'm already feeling!
Naturally, I celebrated properly. Thursday night is student night, so I went out with some friends Thursday night to celebrate life finally getting good again, and then Friday I got my nose pierced!! Probably not the most typical way to celebrate good news; no more injections, blood tests, cannulas, pain, being in hospital - so I celebrate by having a needle and stud shoved through my nostril! Lol but I don't care, I've always wanted it done, but in the past I've been in and out of hospital so a piercing would close up! I suppose the next thing I want is a tattoo, but even though I've been deciding since April I'm still not 100% on what I want yet!
So, I am now over 3 weeks post-op from having my failed pouch out and being given a permanent ileostomy. I did really hate having the bag for a while, and even now it's still quite scary to think that I've got it for the rest of my life now.... But this site helped me more than I could have imagined. If you've read my other blogs you'll know that I don't come on here often, but I'm glad I did come on at the time I did otherwise I would never have met that one amazing person. It's weird to think that around 5/6 weeks ago I was feeling really low with depression not far away (I was given the news that the pouch would never work and then less than a week later I got dumped by my boyfriend of 3 years...) and now I feel amazing. Everything happens for a reason and I really believe that now. If my douchebag boyfriend hadn't left me at the time I needed someone most, I wouldn't have gotten as close to someone as I did. And I'm so grateful for him being there for me when he was. He really has no idea how much he means to me now. Plus, having the pouch out has just taken away all the pain and problems so I can finally get on with my life without it holding me back anymore.
I'm starting back at college on 31st October (Halloween!!) and I can't wait to get everything going again. I also want to do some traveling in the next few summers to come, before I move out and can't afford it!! One of the first places I'm going to go to is Tennessee :) I hope I can go soon! I'm also looking for a job that I can do part-time so I can save the money to go to Tennessee, and I'm finally looking to get back into the swing of driving lessons and tests so I can get a car and get my independence back!!
So, 3 weeks later.... and I'm feeling amazing. I don't regret the decision to have tried the pouch, but I definitely don't miss it. I'm happy with the bag for once, I'm happy with where my life is going, and I'm the happiest with him. Right now it is starting to feel like life couldn't get any better, but I can't wait for when it does. I hope this blog shows all the positives you can take out of crappy situations. I'm proud of myself for coming this far and staying sane, but I have a lot of people to thank for that. Including Dennis. You were there when I needed someone, and you continue to make me happier and happier every day I get to talk to you. You have no idea how amazing you really are.
Life's good.
What a wonderful outcome (except for the nose piercing)! May you know nothing but happiness from now on.
It's amazing to see you doing so well quickly. You're helping me so much with this as well. You mean so much more to me than any other relationship because the bond is something we have that hardly any couple does. We just get each other. Plus, you're just the best, so that helps. I love you for everything you are and everything you do for me.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,463 members.
“Every morning with my coffee, I read here and feel wrapped in warmth - I hardly post, but it still feels like family.”
“Our oncologist literally wrote down the link; they said more patients need this website.”
“This place pulled me out of the dark. I went from lurking to living again.”
“At 3am, someone’s awake somewhere in the world. I’m never alone here.”
This site is a godsend. As a newbie (colostomy on Nov 8, '21), I look at it every day for a number of reasons. Reading what people are going through makes me grateful that my elective surgery because of a severe case of IBS-C is nothing compared to what they have been through and are still living with.
I don't have to go to the hospital for anything related to my ostomy. I feel sorry for those who do and am in awe of those who can use humor to describe their ordeal. I identify with those who express their fears. I especially identify with those who are depressed because I am clinically depressed and have general anxiety disorder. How ironic that having a colostomy eliminated some of the depression and anxiety that the IBS created. I've been widowed twice and I'm on match.com.
I immediately included my operation in my profile and am pleased to say it doesn't seem to make a difference.
And there is much humor on this site and it's one of the reasons I enjoy it so much.
I could name numerous things I've learned from reading people's comments/questions/answers.
After months following on a daily basis, my only negative comment is I don't like listing the most popular members.
It's not that I don't like these people; I do. It's that I think it elicits some "Facebook"-like banter or comments that are gratuitous.
I don't do any social media and think that its merits are overshadowed by too much negativity.
Meetanostomate is in no way negative. I just think the gallery of "popularity" detracts from what is an excellent website that deals with a serious issue that causes a myriad of emotions.
Aww, bless you both. I wish you lots of happy days ahead. I'm pleased you're doing so well so soon after your op. You do have the right attitude to move forward. Wishing you good luck, love, and happiness. x
Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
You are indeed a remarkable young woman. Keep on keepin' on and rejoice in the love of your life, your friends and family!
How to Get Back to Activity after Ostomy Surgery with Kimberly | Hollister
Hi Fran, I'm so pleased you're doing so well. You really deserve to get back to normality. Having your nose pierced is nothing compared to what you have been through, lol. And it's a challenge too. Well done, you! I've always wanted to get a nose piercing but I'm too afraid, lol. Good luck with college and traveling around. I really think you're an amazing young woman. Please keep posting when you can on your progress when you're back at college and all the other things you manage to do while traveling. I really think you're such a good example to all the young ones on this site. Well done. Best of luck for the future. Take care, Ambies.
Ambies, you should go for it with your nose if you don't have any surgery coming up for 12 weeks. I was so scared, but after the initial shock, it doesn't actually hurt as much as... having blood taken, for example (especially if they miss the vein a few times!!). Thank you everyone for all your comments :) Definitely makes blogging worthwhile x
Fran, well if you had the courage to get your nose pierced, I surely can, as we both know what we go through with operations for stomas. Having blood taken and my veins just dive away when they see a syringe coming, it's no picnic lol. Nice to know it's not as bad as taking blood. You're so welcome, Fran, and yes, blogging is well worthwhile. Thank you once again for sharing your times of trials with us. Take care, Ambies. X
Fran, thanks for sharing your story. I can totally relate. I, too, was dumped by my ex while I was in the hospital recovering from my first surgery. Only he didn't even have the courage to say anything. I found out through Facebook. So glad to see that you've met someone better though. Hope the rest of your journey continues to go well. Take care.