The eyes have it

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share something that I thought was funny. This weekend I hosted a traditional British afternoon tea in my home for 14 women, some of whom I had not seen in years. Well, one of them just discovered that I now sport a colostomy. It was odd in that she could not seem to tear her eyes away from my midsection (similar, I guess, to women who think men talk to their chests, I never had that problem, lol). I am not sure if she thought I might explode in front of her. I was facetiously hoping that Rosie might let one rip as only she can, ala morning bugle call, but the little bugger was silent. Ha. Have any of you experienced this? I found it very amusing. Then again, I can have an odd sense of humor.

rosiesmom

Rosiesmom, you have a good sense of humor about the whole thing. I have a urostomy, but I experienced that once or twice. Running into new people who have learned of your situation usually causes some to glance out of curiosity. It just comes with the territory we have.

I'll bet you that she is very curious and has no idea she was starring. I have a very dear friend who was very pleased I offered to share the whole info with her - she wanted to ask but did not know how. As a retired teacher, I have no issue with teaching and sharing. She was so pleased and thankful. Sometimes we need to be less bashful - how else do people learn? I'd rather they know the truth than wonder...

I found if I just show people it totally ends their curiosity.

I agree, tell then it all. It's only poo after all, and one day it might be them with a tummybum.

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

Hi Rosiesmom, Interesting experience. I have had several in the past few years as well. I just recently told my in laws about Stanley my stoma. I told them because my book was published and the gang was wondering who was Stanley. When one family member asked who Stanley was...I almost burst out laughing. She thought it was my boyfriend or secret lover that had and wanted to confess(I am married to her uncle). Another family member likes to announce in a very loud voice....I look fine... and your bag is not noticeable I am not certain how to answer comment so I say thanks....LOL. I had a co worker, who did not know about my ileostomy surgery only that I had surgery because of UC, tell me how awful they are and her dad had one. He smelled all of the time. She ended her conversation saying thank goodness you did not need one of those things. I smiled and thought to myself... if you only knew. If I met someone who had an ostomy and I did not, I would be very curious. If they were willing to share, I would have been interested in seeing it, as I never knew what one looked liked until I was facing surgery. I was medically naive. Thanks for the post! Hope you have a great weekend. LH

I've had an ileostomy for 28 years and the only people that know are my immediate family and the male relationships I've had. Some things are better left unsaid.

I am a bit unsure as to the meaning/reasoning of your post. Am I to infer that one should not mention to people that one has a colostomy? Is it a secret? Something to be ashamed or embarrassed by? If this is the case, I strongly disagree. I am proud of my ostomy; it is the creation of what was a dark and scary, and yes, difficult time that I survived and came out the other side stronger than ever and so very grateful to be alive. So yes, I will continue to speak of Rosie, with pride and in the hope that I may educate along the way. Colostomy is not the end, rather a great new beginning. Rosiesmom

I agree:) Here is to the ostomy and a new beginning. LH

Hey RosiesMom, I love having a wind-up and have recently started photobombing group pics at the last second so nobody sees until they look at the pic. It's fun and brings awareness at the same time. It has changed me, but I like to think it's for the better. And whenever I want something at work to my favor, I put my hand on the bag, look down, and boom, it's there. Win-win, I say.

Hi, does that work for winning lotto numbers? If so, please let me know. Lol, I love the photo-bombing idea. As I said, I have a screwed sense of humor sometimes.

Ha ha, yeah, I like your idea of the lottery. Maybe if you swallowed 49 numbered balls, we could use the first 6 out. Now that would only make us laugh, and the uneducated masses go yuck. I thought of a new saying today: the bag is not because I'm unwell; it's because I used to be unwell.

When I first got my bag, I noticed people looking. Probably because in the olden days, it was noticeable if you wore a bag. I was a little self-conscious at first, thinking everyone could see it. Now it is just a part of me, so I don't even think about it. All of my family knows, and I usually end up telling friends if they don't know. I would rather tell them than for them to hear about it and feel sorry for me. I want people to know, I'm fine. I can do anything you can do. But there will always be the few that pity me. They just don't get it and probably never will.

There you go, Pearlite, we could market the T-shirt with the slogan "I DON'T WEAR THIS BAG BECAUSE I'M UNWELL, I WEAR IT BECAUSE I USED TO BE UNWELL." When I do the Great North Run next year, I'm going to have that on the back of my shirt. I'm going to do it for ostomy awareness. I'm setting myself up here, so there won't be any turning back.