No One Knows 'till I Disclose

Bill

Oct 03, 2015 7:05 am

NO ONE KNOWS ‘TILL I DISCLOSE.

I have a stoma on my side

but I will not retreat or hide.

I see no need to expose it

no one knows ‘till I disclose it.

My stoma is just purposeful

and I must live life to the full.

I make the most of what I’ve got

thus, I enjoy my life a lot.

I don’t let things get in my way

So get the best from every day.

Mine’s a positive attitude

which leaves me lots of latitude.

My stoma does not interfere

and neither does my stoma gear.

There is no point to fuss with it

for everyone must have to shit.

Yet very few will share with you

the ins and outs of their own poo.

So why would those with stomas say

how and when they poo each day.

It’s not that people want to know

or if they did they’d let it show.

But if and when there’s interest

I will explain, or do my best.

So if the subject does arise

it will not take me by surprise.

I know my stoma inside out

and can explain what it’s about.

So though the stoma’s part of me

I live my life and I am free.

I will not tell until disposed

so no one knows ‘till I disclose.

B. Withers 2013

iMacG5

Oct 13, 2015 1:58 am

Just want to thank you, Bill. I'm not a literary scholar, but I recognize creativity, well-written thoughts, and enjoy the poetry. For those of us who took the time to really read your stuff, we're greatly rewarded. You said a whole lot more than one might think in this verse. Thanks for sharing your skill and wisdom.
Mike

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Posted by: Karen & Stella

Fay,

I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen

Bill

Oct 13, 2015 5:43 am

Hello iMacG5. Thank you for your post. I really appreciate the feedback on these verses from people who know about the subject matter. It's not as if there is a wider audience out there that might be interested in these sorts of things so comments from people who know and understand become that much more pertinent.I too am not a literary scholar. Indeed it was really hard for me to start writing rhyming verse partly because I was not over enthusiastic about that style of writing and partly because I was well aware that it has a limited appeal to others as well. As for the 'skill and wisdom' bit. I am still trying to acquire the former and the wisdom is what I gain from reading and listening to what others are saying about the problems they experience and manage in their day to day lives. The rhyming verses are often an attempt to capture what other people have expressed so well in their own blogs and forum discussions so most of the credit must go to them. I only try to make it rhyme!!Best wishes Bill

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cancernomore

Oct 19, 2015 5:28 pm

Thank you for the post. I just had mine done in September and actually feel guilty about it like I've done something wrong. This was well done!

Bill

Oct 19, 2015 7:15 pm

Hello cancernomore. Thanks for the comment and appreciation of the verse. Guilt is one of those more 'interesting' emotions in that it is sometimes hard to ascertain exactly where it comes from and where it is going.The one thing we know about emotion is that it is the polar opposite of 'logic'. Hence there is often no logical explanation for guilt. Mind you, that won't stop the psychologists/psychiatrists (and others) pontificating on what they think it is and how they can 'cure' it. Like other emotions guilt is probably an 'instinctive' reaction over which we have very little control at the beginning. However, once we start using 'logic' and thinking it through the instinct gets transformed into a more rational reasoning We then begin to understand that there was nothing really to feel guilty about as there was no blame to lay and no fault to be found. These types of conditions are not usually self-made and the unfortunate consequences such as a stoma are therefore not something to be ashamed of or to feel guilty about. Sometimes logical conclusions take a bit of working at before they can overcome and neutralise negative emotions. However, with your description of yourself as having been strong and independent I feel sure that it will not take long before you are back that way again. Best wishes Bill

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Miriam

Oct 23, 2015 3:38 pm

Great poem and very wise. I rarely disclose, it's private.

Bill

Oct 24, 2015 8:09 am

Hello Picasso. Thanks for letting us know that you appreciated the poem as this sort of information is important in helping me to know that there are people who still read this stuff. It's even more helpful to know that there are some folk's who actually enjoy them. Best wishes Bill

NO ONE KNOWS 'TILL I DISCLOSE

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister