Embracing Scars and Stories at the Solstice Parade

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AMrfd
Jun 13, 2019 6:04 am

I go to the beach and let my colostomy bag show. And right next to that is a massive Scar from 7 abdominal operations. If you live in Washington or Seattle you may have heard of the Solstice parade in a Fremont neighborhood. Here is a bike ride hey everybody rides naked. Body paint is the theme Here the crazier the better. This year I've decided to ride in the parade. I have a medical scrubs theme with the hat and the mask if I feel I don't want to be recognized. But my pouch and my scar will show open painted shirt. This is going to be a challenge for me but I'm going for it wish me luck

iMacG5
Jun 13, 2019 4:12 pm

Hi AM. I respect your intention, but why don't you want to be recognized?

Good luck,

Mike

AMrfd
Jun 13, 2019 4:23 pm

First time out. One step at a time.  :-)

Posted by: freedancer

In both of my cases, I had no choice. It was surgery or be put 6 feet under! I thank God that He has been with me all these times. Without Him, I never would have known what to do and might not have gone to the hospital when I did. I don't know if you have had your surgery or not yet but I hope you will hang out on this website when you are done. I have learned a great deal through the people here and it is so great having others who have had the same thing done and been through what you are about to or have gone through. The only thing I have turned down is a reversal of the ileostomy. When the doctors did the emergency rebuilding of my original ileostomy this last February, I told them I did not want to go through this again. My doctor told me at that time that I was no longer a candidate for the reversal. In a way, I was very relieved. The last three years of my life have been a nightmare for me. I do not want to go through any of it again. If you wish to be rehooked up and they say you are a good choice for that, research it carefully. Every surgery I have ever had except for Old and New Maxine and the emergency surgery on my broken foot, I have spent weeks researching. I recently had my C5 C6 disk in my neck replaced with an artificial one. I went to my pre-op with 2 pages of questions for the doctor. I knew everything that they were going to do and could talk intelligently with them. I always try to research my adversaries! Don't cancel your surgery. It is nice not to have to suffer any longer with horrible pain. We all had to change a few things around when we had our surgeries but in the long run, most of us are glad we did it. I know I am. Good luck to you!

iMacG5
Jun 13, 2019 4:27 pm

More good luck to you.

Mike

Past Member
Jul 06, 2019 10:40 am

It is real a challenge, I wish you good luck. Do you know how to calculate net marketing contribution ?

 

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

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AMrfd
Jul 06, 2019 7:31 pm

Went on ride had a great time, was not the only one with an oddity. They all made me feel very welcome. But I will not ride my bike naked in 24 degree weather ever again. Froze my ass off along with everybody else.

iMacG5
Jul 06, 2019 7:58 pm

For reasons too numerous to write, I will never, ever attempt or even think of attempting to ride a bike bare-ass in any temperature on any planet in any universe. You did it; I respect that. Just not sure about any of it.
Mike

AMrfd
Jul 06, 2019 8:22 pm

That's okay, I did it for myself and no one else. It was a great experience learn some things about myself and had fun doing it.

iMacG5
Jul 06, 2019 10:48 pm

Hey AMrfd, learning about ourselves is of great value. Having fun doing what we did to learn is a blessing. In a way, I might be a little envious. I congratulate you.

Sincerely,

Mike