Y'all are AMAZING!

I've read through a few threads and intros during the short time I've been part of this community.
Y'all are amazing! It's great to see so many of you just carry on with “life as usual.”
This Ostomy Life absolutely zaps me! Anemia, brain fog, muscle loss, liquid diet, whacked-out labs, the job thing… haha!
Y'all are saying, “love to travel,” dating, “back in the gym…”. It's a win on days I don't need an IV! 😂… can't see myself ever doing a Disney Cruise with “a new love,” or “long walks on the beach after a dinner date” (thinking about the ever-filling pouch) 😂

Y'all give new meaning to persistence! Glad to be here! 😁

There are a lot of good people here that will help you in every aspect! I had seen 2 stoma nurses who couldn't help me solve my irritation and leaking problems! I'm so thankful to everyone who has helped me with my maladies! 🙏 If there ever is an OstiMates reunion... Count me in!

They have conferences.

One's coming up next month in Orlando, Fla. Did you hear about it?

Come meet your peers and have a few beers...🤭.

Did not know that! Can't make it next month, but something to definitely look forward to! Thanks for the info!🙏

Hi lclark, welcome to the site. You will get there. If you're like so many of us on the journey, our surgeries saved our lives. It takes some time to get used to a different way of life. I had my surgery 38 years ago. No groups or help then, so pretty much trial and error. I joined this site in 2018 and have found several friends. You will too. Just jump on in and start contributing. No questions are off limits.

My Ostomy Journey: Jearlean | Hollister

Welcome Lynn,

You have found a great community.

Best wishes from across the pond.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ waves ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jayne

Welcome!

Orlando…🤔.Disney! 😨
I feel a leak coming on already! 🤣

I needed y'all more than I knew! LOL

Yes, the hotel is close to Disney, offering shuttles to and from.

The workshops being offered should be a real eye-opener for some newbies.

lclark 5585,

Glad you're finding help here. As to some of our attitudes, what other choice do we have? Enjoy each moment of your days.

See you here again, I'm sure,

SharkFan

Exactly the way I was, pre & post-op. Labs were screwy, anemia/low iron, brain in the twilight zone. Two weeks post & on to solid food. Mayo's meatloaf w/ a side of shrimp scampi & cannoli for dessert. Ate parts of it all, Heaven. Four months in a GROSS rehab center. My best friend picked me up to go home. He always says, "Take small steps & you'll get there." He is correct!! Once home, I started walking 3 times a week. 3 blocks a day w/ a walker. 3 months - 1/4 mile w/ a cane. 6 months - 5 miles. 1 year - 7 miles, NO cane. In 3 years, I hiked Glacier NP. Avalanche Lake was 743 ft uphill. Took my time & rested. Remember the tortoise & the hare? Highline Trail, short, but at an altitude of 6,500 ft. See my icon. Went to Japan last fall. Glamping the Appalachian Trail in September & stopping at Gainbridge for a Fever game. I'll wave hi from Clingman's Dome.

It all starts with your first step!! Keep positive & LAUGH!!

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I believe the money collected goes to offset the costs of maintaining the site.

Quite right ..... bit by bit ..... never think that to climb the highest mountain is unattainable - for the views on the way up - are each different .... and there's always the free slope on the way down - so long as we don't over-stretch ourselves.

Hoooooooorah

J

The people who own the site get the money. I'm sure some is used to keep the site running; the rest is their profit, just like any business.

Lclark, you are amazing. Any day, any time, give me three hours' notice and I will meet you at Disney. $$ on me. You think I'm kidding; I'm not :)

Reality check, sweetie - There is no such thing as a free lunch..... What goes around comes around - There are many ways you can contribute without a subscription - Folk will respond with an openness - Think about what you may do for the site and so help your fellow members.

Although a business, there are many models and varying degrees of free potential and grateful paths that help our own experience.

Think on.

It's not just about money!!!

Just to add... I was a free member for about 9 months. It didn't diminish the value of the site for me one bit.

@lclark.. (there's got to be a Superman joke here - L = Lois?)

Clark - Clark Kent?). 🤭..

Anyways, you mentioned a leak coming on at the idea of going out, going to Orlando, Fla.? Exciting, isn't it? 👍

I only know of one other member who, when she gets excited, for example, gets a leak... nothing to worry about, kiddo. You are among your peers.

Haha! Perfect! 👌 

Leak schmeak, I always say. You had said Disney Cruise; I was thinking Disney. Both are on the table. For the cruise, I think you'd have to get to Cape Canaveral. I could fly down and meet you, or fly to TN and drive, but it's about 12 hours, so let's assume flying is best. Just pick a time frame :)

:-))

What pond is that, Jayne? It is a huge blue, sometimes blackish ocean, deep and mostly stormy. Anyway, pond sounds nice. Best wishes.

🤣🫢

Pond = A friendly way to describe a body of water [in the case of the US and GB - this is the ocean] - that 'comes between' persons/events/locations ...............

One might liken the 'pond' to any impediment of direct reach ;-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ [ Here ~ = waves of hand and also in this case waves of sea] Jayne ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I 'send' happy 'thoughts' and also a metaphorical 'wave of my hand' to you from 'my' hillside to 'wherever' you happen to be when receiving this.

PS

I ask you a question too: "How is your summer?"

"I hope you are having some good experiences."

**************** Best Wishes ****************

Aww thanks!😊

Thank you, but no. Still working every day…🙌🙌

Which begs the question—I'm curious if most ostomates continue working in their profession. Has anyone ever read a study on that?

You have to remember, there are various reasons to have a stoma. And some of those reasons would prevent working, temporarily or permanently.

I do believe most people with a stoma continue to work.

I do.

Yet some countries consider having a stoma a disability; therefore, the question would be whether to collect benefits or continue working.

I am working, currently only 30 hours, but I hope to get back to 40 hours soon. But it isn't the ostomies holding me back. I had cancer and was really sick from that. The physical weakness from the cancer limits my endurance. I've been gaining strength since my surgery. Immediately prior to my surgery, I lacked the ability to read for more than 5 minutes at a time. Now I am back to reading for hours at a time. I don't find my ostomies limiting at all.

I worked all through my chemotherapy/radiation up until a few days before surgery when I had to have a Covid test and then kind of isolate for surgery. The chemotherapy takes a huge toll on a person's body.

Get some barrier strips to stop leakage! I have been using them for about a year (had surgery in 2023). I have a 2-piece, and I had leaks a few times. I get the waterproof strips and have not had a leak in a year! They work great for the 2-piece, but I'm sure they would work on the one-piece as well. The 2-piece bags allow me to empty immediately (I am retired), so the bathroom is always available! Good luck! 👍