A few months ago, there was a post about people peeping in and out, commenting on how it is always the same people commenting. This is my support group; like most support groups, you have an active number of people, and then there is me, the one who comes in late, drinks coffee, listens, and then leaves. I need this support group. This is where I come for information. Yes, as a new person to having a stoma, there is a lot I do not know, and sometimes I do not know how to ask. So, if I ask questions that have already been asked, please be patient with me. I find strength and courage here from people I can relate to. I care a lot about the people who are strong enough to carry on every day with a bag or getting a reversal, and I value the information shared here by every person. I do not know any of you, but we are all bonded together one way or another.
THKS
Dear Foxbody...This is definitely "your support group," in any manner you choose. Sorry, I've been away for some time now and missed the "peeper" post. But I'm sure the intention was to encourage participation and not a personal attack of any kind. We were all new once and understand the need to "test the waters" before jumping in. There is no time limit on comfort or active participation. You continue to read whenever you can, and when you're ready, ask all the questions you want. It doesn't matter how many times it's asked, as every question and answer is valued.
Thank you for your honesty, kind words, and the courage to just speak up. May I say "Welcome to the family"...You are so right, we all are bonded, each being a special link in the chain of knowledge, caring, and understanding, complemented with the strength gained, just knowing that...we are never alone! Whatever comes our way, someone here can relate. It's a priceless opportunity to come together in a "safe place" with others that really understand. It's very nice to "almost" meet you.
Your ostomy sister, BEG
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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
Thanks for sharing your feelings in this way. I agree with BEG that this is a forum for all sorts of participants whether they be active writers or active readers. Very few people can be active on here all the time. My own involvement ebbs and flows with the amount of time available to me. But I do miss the correspondence and friendships when I can't get online.
Best wishes Bill
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Heh, don't feel bad or awkward, I am the same, definitely more of a sit on the periphery and observe more than jumping in and interacting type of fella. That said, this site is an awesome support resource for us ostomates...wish there was something like it back when I first got mine, but the internet hadn't been invented yet, lol.
www.ostomy.org
www.ostomyland.org
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
I'm a peeper, too! I am only recently more comfortable with jumping in and sharing, and that's usually because I read something that I feel I can add to now that I have a little experience with my new little pal. So keep peeping!
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