Hi everyone, This has been an exciting week for me. On July 7th, my book launched titled Stanley and Me Make Three. We know this journey very well, and I promised myself, once my health started to improve, I would write a book to help others walking a similar path.
In the beginning, it was a small journal which simply evolved. As time went on and after attending several support groups, I decided that my goal was to give back and to help others faced with this surgery. As I shared previously on different posts, I felt so alone and isolated while I was sick. Immediately following surgery, I did not know anyone with an ostomy to confide about my fears of living life with a stoma and a bag. Once again, I experienced those feelings of isolation and loneliness, and I loathed those feelings. I fought them every single day for approximately two months post-surgery. As my journal began to take shape as a book, I also began to feel better and stronger. I researched publishers and found a company who was interested in my story and my mission. This is a story of hope, as hope is the antidote for fear. Stanley and Me Make Three is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the Tate Publishing website. Please let me know what you think. I really love the cover as it is reflective and inspiring - I helped design it:) Thanks again, friends and fellow ostomates. Sincerely, LadyHope aka Jayne Prescott
This is a remarkable community of 40,832 members.
You will get real advice from fellow ostomates who truly understand you - things you won't find in the books.
And it's not all about ostomy - there is friendship and relationships too.
Privacy is very important - your profile is not visible to the outside world.
iMacG5
When I found this web site, I didn't think its name had anything to do with actually meeting an ostomate but I later learned there were some folks who did meet and develop relationships. How good is that? That wasn't my intention. I definitely didn't want anyone to meet me. I felt broken and wasn't prepared to express those feelings. I thought it was a place where ostomates wrote about themselves, posed questions, shared thoughts, told jokes and, sometimes, just vented. I thought of it as a community of folks with similar interests and various degrees of experience. Mostly I found some of the most caring, selfless, wise and understanding people I ever imagined. I was so impressed with some of the writings; not because of their literary value but the way in which they addressed such a very complex environment. I read hundreds of exchanges and admired the way folks cared for each other. I became hopeful with my own situation and looked forward to the next day's offerings. Certainly some contributors stood out with their experience or particular skills in addressing some things but it seemed like a total effort with synergistic results. I felt blessed to have found this site. I still do.
Mike
Explore common concerns about new and existing relationships, and how to put your mind at ease.
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
Congrats on being published. That's something I have always wanted to do, write a book.
LH, I don't have the admin's address, but you might try the "Contact Us" button on the main menu page. Going to write a novel someday...
Read our 6 tips to prepare for childbirth with an ostomy.
Hi Lady Hope, you beat me to it. I start a creative writing course in September, so I'll get there in the end. Well done. I'm going to look today and buy it.
That's it, it's on its way. One of my gripes is the lack of open, free information about this thing in the open world, and that's what creates this taboo about folks not wanting to discuss. I've started photobombing group pics that I appear in; at the last minute, I slip my waistband up to reveal my bag. Nobody notices until they look at the pics; it's my way of saying, look, it's great. I did it yesterday with my walking and climbing group, and it got a mixed reaction. Keep up the great work.
Well blueonthetyne, I'll bet you gave them a right gliff! Hey, maybe it will attract new members. A sense of humor goes a long way. Rosiesmom
Hi LH, Barnes and Noble called; the book is in. I'll pick it up today. Can't wait to read it. Congrats again. Rosiesmom
Hi L.H., I just read about Stanley! Your recounting of how he came to be is wonderful. I wish you and him many glorious years together. Our stories are very similar, except Rosie came to me after a cancerous tumor was removed. I can honestly say I have come to love her and all her wee idiosyncrasies. LOL. I am also blessed to have a Michael! Tony has been my rock and cheering section for 48 years. I hope that all those who read your story will see that there is nothing to fear; it is akin to having your first child—you have to learn their likes and dislikes. Well done, L.H.; you told it like it is. Thank you. Rosiesmom
You are welcome. No, I will not be attending the conference as I have other obligations at that time. It would have been great to have met you and some of the other amazing people on this site. God willing, perhaps next time.
Rosiesmom
Hi, I read your book and it is very encouraging. We have a lot in common, and my illness was like yours. It was cute the way you compared your butt to Barbie's. You look like Barbie, but you are too modest to admit it.
Thank you very much, Heidi, for the kind words. I am so glad that you liked the book and found it encouraging. Yes, we have a similar medical background. How are you feeling? Is your reversal scheduled soon? Also, I tried to respond to your private chat, but for some reason, I was not able to. Sometimes I can, and sometimes the program will not allow me. Sorry :( The email works. I will send you a response. Thank you again. Hope you have a great evening. Jayne aka LadyHope
Your welcome and I did have a great day! I hauled the teens around all day! We had some back to school shopping to do.
Hi Heidi, how are you doing? Are you all ready for back to school? I can't believe that it is mid-August already. Seeing the back-to-school ads reminds me of days gone by. August is my favorite month of the year. Take care. Have a nice week.
LH
Hi Lady Hope, how are you? My kids started school on August fifth and I miss them already! They just grow up too fast. As for me, I just found out that I have a stricture. So the reversal will be put on hold for now. I will be going in next week for balloon dilation of the area. I am not looking forward to it, but at least it's not surgery. I am trying to remain positive, but it has been hard lately. Hope you have a nice week too.
Hi Heidi, I am so sorry about the stricture. What exactly is it? The balloon dilation sounds like an angioplasty of the intestine. Is the intestine bent somehow below the stoma? You are so right...this is not another surgery and it is good that you are keeping as positive as possible. Positive is good. I understand completely. There is a saying...fake it to make it. Sometimes if I fake the smile, the negative passes and I get into a good mood. It sounds strange but it helps me. My work week is pretty good so far. I was away at the Jersey Shore last week. The weather was nice and I was able to walk along the shoreline in and out of the water. I don't go into the water anymore...not because of my stoma but because of the movie Jaws. The film ruined it for me in 1975...LOL. But I love the beach. Good luck to you and keep me posted. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Heidi. Take care. LH