Big Milestone

I wanted to share that I had a big milestone today. I finally went back to work in the office! My employer went hybrid after the pandemic and requires at least two days in the office, but as I have a two-hour commute by train, I had received permission to work from home full-time after the surgery, and now it was time to go back. So far, everything has gone swimmingly.

Well done, a routine will develop, and it will be just another day before you know it ... 🥂

Good for you. Sounds like it will work out well.

Congratulations! That is huge!

It's always a great feeling when we can get back to what we did before. Well done!

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Good news, I hope you keep well.

IGGIE

Hi Fun, when I had my first surgery, I was worried about not being able to do my job, but after a couple of weeks of light duty, not lifting over 10 lb., I was glad to get into that routine, and life seemed normal again.

A milestone for sure! Proof to yourself that your new normal doesn't have to be that different from your old one.

Terry

Yeah, I got poorly over the pandemic too. I got Covid and had a five-month coma, and I woke up with my ileostomy. I don't know what my work is going to look like going forward because I'm still learning to walk. That must be quite rewarding or not; you tell me. It really kind of scares me to go back to the city.

I came home from the hospital in a wheelchair. I wasn't out for 5 months, so my recovery was not nearly as difficult as yours. But 15 months later, I'm walking with only a cane, and not even that in my house. Progress has been very slow, but keep pushing forward and you'll get there.

I do feel like a bit of a baby moaning about my situation, but I didn't really see any other way to introduce myself. I'm really honest about what problems I have, so I sort of just dumped it and hit return and ran. LOL, my walking liability in general sucks. I have a fancy electric scooter, but we're too embarrassed to use it. I've got pretty cool crutches at work, but I just get so out of breath. People just don't know whether to offer me help or try to just leave me to get up with it. I know I attract attention when I look like I'm about to keel over. LOL.

I got an Atto scooter that you can apparently fly with. I really should just stop being a baby and take it out. I think that'll be a milestone for me, and I'm just getting in my own way…

Regrettably, when I left the hospital, I thought I was going home, and some dude rocked up and said, "Sorry mate, we need to put you in an old people's home." I swear I could've throttled him. Even my partner thought it was a good idea, and so off to the assisted living facility I went…

Anyway, we just keep putting one foot in front of the other, don't we? And just try and look for the small wins. I appreciate you reaching out.

I think setting a goal of getting out of the house with the scooter is a great idea.

Remember... this is temporary!

But wearing yourself out to the point of scaring strangers on the street is not doing you any good. Do you really think people will notice you more in a scooter? Chances are that you are making way more of a spectacle with the crutches.

And never worry about "moaning." We all do it from time to time. Everyone here has been seriously sick at least once. The details vary, but we can all relate.

Simon, charge the scooter and give it a spin. With crutches, you would stand out so much, but on a scooter, you're just one of the many scooter riders. And you will get to where you're going a lot faster.

Regards, IGGIE

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your kind words. I need to rethink and stop overthinking. Bring on the spring.

Thank you, Aussie friend. I'm going to give her a shot. Why not? I've got nothing to lose.