Hope

Ostomates it's 2018 and were still here!! I have read things that different ostamates have experienced. All of them discussed different reasons for getting an ostomy. To some, it meant the end of life as they knew it but the end results where a chance to live. Some are dealing with it gracefully while some are still having a difficult time. Then there a lot of reversals taking place which is great when they are sucessful. People are finding love and sometimes meaningful relationships on this site. But think of this, even if we didn't have an ostomy, we would still have rainy days, but the sun would eventually shine.

I read a story in which I would like to share with you. It follows:

                                                                               A mother's story as quoted by Marieke Hulsbergen

It's about a premature child, whose name is pepijn . When her son was born two months premature, in just a few weeks it was determined his intestines weren't working properly.  At first , the doctors assumed it was because he was premature but later found out it was more to it than immature intestines. After numerous test, he was diagnosed with a disease called Hirchsprungs. This is a disease which is a congenital intestinal disorder. There are no cells present in a certain part of the large intestine.

Pepijn had become very ill because feces were backing up in his intestines. His condition was quickly deteriorating. So his doctors decided to operate in order to examine his intestines thoroughly. They also wanted to give him a stoma in order to give his intestimes time to rest.

Marieke had never seen a stoma, let alone, looked after one before. And now, that was going to happen. The big bag on his belly covered everything. It was so large that there was no sign of the stoma. The next day, a stoma nurse came in to instruct/initiate us into caring for a stoma. At home it seemed that looking  after a stoma was more difficult than I thought. Wafers didnt want to stick, the bags would leak and his skin was red. I was sometimes quite desperate for a solution. Pepijn and I got used to the stoma. we went to swimming classes for babies and I stuck an oaque bag on his belly. No problems!

A few months later I heard that Peijn would have to have an operation and that maybe his stoma would be removed. I was extremely worried. Never the less, Pepijn underwent another operation and his stoma was removed. He is now 9 years old and still don't have a stoma. If this continues , we are happy. Children with Hirchsprungs disease do not nessarily have a stoma but sometimes there is no other way or choice.

Doctors think that a stoma is a last resort and I agree with them . People with a stoma cannot be compared with one another and I think we should try not do do so. Will Pepijn ever have a stoma again, who knows? In any case, I know there is nothing to be afraid of! Hope, what a wonderful word. Happy 2018!

Angeliciamarie