Hi Sunny, My name is Marsha, and while I don't have an colostomy, and don't irrigate, I've had my ileostomy since I was 15, and that was over 50 years ago. My first feeling were of relief, I was going to be well, and be able to go back to school ( I'd been out with Ulcerative Colitis for 4 years). But it wasn't so easy to adjust, especially given those old rubber pouches, plastic faceplates, and glue that could burn your skin off, it it wasn't allowed to dry properly. But I didn't hate it....because it gave me my life back.....
Fast forward 10 years, and I just welcomed my beautiful new little baby boy....who peed so much, it became a major deal to change is diapers ( he was allergic to the pampers of those days) & clothes & sheets.... I was in tears every morning......just to get all the wet soggy laundry changed. We didn't have a washing machine, so going to the local laundry was the only option....that and more sheeets.
Ok... your wondering what each of these stories have to do with each other... I think I could have come to hate motherhood....waiting 3 years until that darling little boy got toilet trained. I found ways....to not "hate the routine" and so not hate him. I started to use the carriage...until he got older....less laundry. Never learned to like real diapers....but eventually pampers improved, and he peed less when he finally got on solid food. Funny how connected those stories are.....emotionally
Just realize it's a new routine... I have friends who agonize over not being "regular", and others who are afraid to be out, and caught unprepared.... I just shake my head, and deal with what I have.....an ostomy stoma & pouch. My badge of survival.