Hi folks. I am not very good at this, but here goes. On New Year's Eve, I had been out snow plowing my daughter's and my son's driveway. I got home about midnight and proceeded to go inside and go to bed. I was in reasonably good health, with the exception of what I thought was bronchitis. When I woke up, I was in the hospital, with pneumonia and two perforations in my large bowel. Needless to say, I almost died. After 7 weeks in an induced coma, I finally woke up. WOW! What was I doing in a hospital, and what happened to me? I couldn't talk because I had been intubated in my hometown hospital, and they did nothing but screw my larynx up. I couldn't even talk to ask my family what had happened to me. When I looked up, all I could see was 8 machines on me. I was told that I had been on life support for 2 weeks. To make a long story short, I had the reconnection done, but it didn't take, and I was rushed in for emergency surgery 10 days later to have the rest of my large bowel removed. That was 2 years ago, and by reading your posts, it gets me through my day. I literally went through living hell for the first year. I think the hardest thing for me to get over was embarrassment when I was with family for an occasion, and I had a malfunction with my flange, and depression. I was 65 years old and am a very proud man. When I was in the hospital, I went through 25 flange changes in 2 days. OUCH. Nothing but blood. I am doing very well now, but still not too old to learn. lol. Thanks to all for listening.
Hello Raydog.
Thanks for posting your story as it was interesting, enlightening and a damned good read, even if it does sound like something out of a nightmare or horror story. Now that the worst is over, I hope everything continues to go well for you in future.
Best wishes
Bill
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,456 members.
“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”
“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”
“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”
MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.
Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.
For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.
Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.
I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.
Sincerely,
An Ileostomate nicknamed Justbreathe 🫶🏼
Good for you. I've had an ostomy for 42 years - since I was 18. Never be embarrassed, this is a surgery which saved all our lives. It's not like we went out and got drunk, did drugs or some other stupid thing and surgery was the result. Am glad you found this site and it has helped.
Mike Q
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Hi Ray,
Welcome to MAO. Nice to meet you. If you only had one issue that you had to get past, you're blessed. Glad you're doing well now and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
Ray - it is wonderful to hear you made it -- I have a friend who was in an induced coma for months but came back to the real world and managed a very good life for years. Go forward and enjoy life with enthusiasm. I had life-saving surgery that took away so much that I marvel that I can be almost normal!! (I only have a tiny stomach left, no gall bladder, 1/2 pancreas, no
colon, and a lot of the small intestine missing... due to advanced but unknown FAP... despite all the testing until it suddenly erupted as a gangbuster!!) Anyway, it has been an interesting 5 years, but I still manage my (much reduced in number) farm animals and love seeking out ways to help others every day. I am so used to the bag it is easy to forget life was once different -- as for eating and foods I cannot have now, I just tell the grandkids to sit next to me and let me hear the crunch of a fresh apple or the enticing smell of something that is spicy -- I have learned that you can do a lot to meat, etc., using various salad dressings. Chicken is my fallback food, and I have learned that dark meat does not digest as well. Be creative and have fun -- oh, and I discovered a fascinating grape cutter and love a dish of grapes now and then -- I cannot manage lasagna noodles, etc., but small macaroni in reasonable amounts is acceptable, especially with lots of real cheese!!
Would love to hear your discoveries!!
How to Get Back to Fitness After Ostomy Surgery with Ryan | Hollister
