Good Evening, Dear Friends!
Well, it's really going to happen this time. My reversal, that is.
I will be sitting at the hospital at 6am sharp on Wednesday, Feb. 1st. Surgery is scheduled for 7:30am. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you on this "reversal's eve." I promise not to make this too sappy or lengthy......but, on second thought, you may want to go and grab that 2nd cup of coffee now......and, perhaps the other half of that donut, too....just in case!
When I first came upon this site, I really didn't know what to expect. Was this something like a "Friendfinder" for ostomy patients? Or an "Osto-Match.com" dating site......or a pen pal forum, or WHAT?
Intrigued by the first few posts I read; I cyber-trotted on and began to say to myself.... "Oh gosh, how funny was THAT?" or "Wow, what an UPLIFTING testimony!!" or "What a challenge this person has overcome!"......
Pretty soon, a couple hours had passed and I was STILL laughing, or reading an excerpt out loud to my spouse, or wiping away tears, or doing all of these things at once!
And THAT'S when I knew.
I knew that I had found a new home. A place where I could really "unload", from time to time about absolutely anything; without fear of rejection or reprisal. A place where I could rejoice in the "small victories" with others who have had similar experiences. A place where I could "bust a bag" with laughter over the latest joke or witticism!
You have taught me so much about ACCEPTANCE and LIFE and LIVING LIFE to its fullest potential. A life not defined by the size of a bag.....but by the size of a heart. Lessons that I desperately needed to learn so I would stop feeling sorry for myself and get on with the business of LIVING, too! It took a good stiff kick in the ostomy panties to get me off my duff and living again; and I thank you for being the examples that I needed to begin to pick up the paintbrushes of my own canvas and paint again.....this time with renewed boldness and brighter colors! :) I am humbled by the sufferings of others here as compared to my own situation.
So I take a tiny piece of all of you with me tomorrow as I face my reversal surgery. If it works; I'll be here to share my journeys of recovery with those who choose and those who are candidates for reversal in the future. If it doesn't; I'll be here to share my journeys of recovery with a permanent ileostomy with those who will walk alongside me. At any rate, my friends, I'm afraid you're stuck with me! ;)
I'll update you as soon after 2-1 as I am able! Please keep me in your prayers!
Darla
Well, it's really going to happen this time. My reversal, that is.
I will be sitting at the hospital at 6am sharp on Wednesday, Feb. 1st. Surgery is scheduled for 7:30am. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you on this "reversal's eve." I promise not to make this too sappy or lengthy......but, on second thought, you may want to go and grab that 2nd cup of coffee now......and, perhaps the other half of that donut, too....just in case!
When I first came upon this site, I really didn't know what to expect. Was this something like a "Friendfinder" for ostomy patients? Or an "Osto-Match.com" dating site......or a pen pal forum, or WHAT?
Intrigued by the first few posts I read; I cyber-trotted on and began to say to myself.... "Oh gosh, how funny was THAT?" or "Wow, what an UPLIFTING testimony!!" or "What a challenge this person has overcome!"......
Pretty soon, a couple hours had passed and I was STILL laughing, or reading an excerpt out loud to my spouse, or wiping away tears, or doing all of these things at once!
And THAT'S when I knew.
I knew that I had found a new home. A place where I could really "unload", from time to time about absolutely anything; without fear of rejection or reprisal. A place where I could rejoice in the "small victories" with others who have had similar experiences. A place where I could "bust a bag" with laughter over the latest joke or witticism!
You have taught me so much about ACCEPTANCE and LIFE and LIVING LIFE to its fullest potential. A life not defined by the size of a bag.....but by the size of a heart. Lessons that I desperately needed to learn so I would stop feeling sorry for myself and get on with the business of LIVING, too! It took a good stiff kick in the ostomy panties to get me off my duff and living again; and I thank you for being the examples that I needed to begin to pick up the paintbrushes of my own canvas and paint again.....this time with renewed boldness and brighter colors! :) I am humbled by the sufferings of others here as compared to my own situation.
So I take a tiny piece of all of you with me tomorrow as I face my reversal surgery. If it works; I'll be here to share my journeys of recovery with those who choose and those who are candidates for reversal in the future. If it doesn't; I'll be here to share my journeys of recovery with a permanent ileostomy with those who will walk alongside me. At any rate, my friends, I'm afraid you're stuck with me! ;)
I'll update you as soon after 2-1 as I am able! Please keep me in your prayers!
Darla