Emotional Well-being discussions

Bill

GRATITUDE

Nov 02, 2016 - Apr 08, 2024

GRATITUDE.
The worst of times has got to bewhen first you find your ostomy.You can no longer hide awayit’s on your side and there to stay.
It shakes you to the very coreand makes you feel that you deplorethe very thing that helped you toavoid the brink and then pull through.
In those early days you’re stressedand easily become depressed.After your stoma comes along you start to ...

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239 replies | 24328 views

walk6076`

Coping with life after an ostomy: Why me?

May 12, 2015 - Jan 09, 2022

Has anyone ever wondered why this had to happen to them? I've only had my ostomy since February, and I often think of what I could have done to avoid it. My life has been changed forever, and I am learning to cope with it. I don't like it, but it's better than the alternative. Just venting.

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113 replies | 9053 views

CrappyColon

Navigating Ostomies and Surgeries with a Partner

Apr 15, 2023 - Oct 18, 2023

Curious how others in past/present relationships have navigated these surgeries and ostomies with a partner. I have a feeling experiences will be across the board and hopefully some whose experiences haven't been the best up to this point can find encouragement/support in others' stories.

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68 replies | 4102 views

past member

The Disrespectful Use of "Bag" for Ostomy Pouches

Jun 14, 2018 - Sep 23, 2019

No wonder people have such misinformed and disrespectful attitudes towards people with ostomies, and worsened by ostomates who use the term, as well.
I find the use of the word "bag" to describe an ostomy pouch demeaning and disrespectful.
To me, it's my pouch, part of the appliance I wear, a result of life-saving surgery from a debilitating and killer illness, and deserving of more respect.

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61 replies | 12089 views

Brown eyed girl

Rejected for ostomy - seeking support and shared experiences

Jun 26, 2015 - Sep 14, 2021

It has been a long time since I was last involved in the dating scene as my marriage of twenty years just imploded. I recently began talking to a young man online who asked for my phone number. I thought that this was probably the right time to reveal the truth about my cancer and ileostomy. He dropped me like a hot potato. Not a word. No phone call, no email, nothing. Even though it is the re ...

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55 replies | 36247 views

RaenotRay

Busy Babysitting Weekend

Mar 26, 2022 - Mar 28, 2022

Hi friends!
I've tried to pop on a few times and catch up on all the fun. I've been babysitting every day since arriving home from Georgia, and the babies are keeping me busy. Since I can't post the picture here, I'm including one of my grandson in my profile. The perfect illustration of how my weekend is going so far. How about y'all?
-Rae

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53 replies | 1974 views

past member

Share Your Stoma Naming Creativity!

Sep 06, 2020 - Dec 23, 2020

I like to think of mine as Stella. Or more accurately
STELLA
Anyone else name theirs?

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48 replies | 2075 views

leah

Betrayed and Heartbroken: Husband's Infidelity Leads to Divorce

Sep 11, 2012 - Jul 12, 2022

I used my husband's computer last Monday because mine broke down and
I saw pictures of him and a pretty young lady naked.
I confronted him about it and he said that since I've had my ileostomy, I've become unbearable to live with.
And he wants a divorce. I can't stop crying. He walked out on Tuesday and I haven't seen him since. I've called him and left messages, but nothing.
We have been ...

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46 replies | 34218 views

past member

Struggling with Dating After Surgery - Feeling Hopeless and Alone

Sep 16, 2011 - Jan 18, 2016

I haven't dated since my surgery a year and a half ago. I just can't imagine any woman would or could be interested in me now. I'll just have to accept being alone for the rest of my life. It will be very lonely, but at least no one will worry about me when I fly into a fit of rage about my predicament, which happens a lot now. I don't want any sympathy. I don't need anybody's inspiring words. ...

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45 replies | 30550 views

7dragonflies.hm

Grateful for the Support

Sep 19, 2023 - Nov 18, 2023

Hello all of you magnificently beautiful people. I've been reading the forums and posts for months now and I just want to say what a bunch of awesome folks y'all are. I had emergency surgery in April of this year, diverticulitis, perforated colon, septic, adhesions galore, almost died, had to have a total hysterectomy as well as sigmoidectomy, hence the good ol' bag. I can honestly say it has ...

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43 replies | 1276 views

notexpectingthis

Dealing with Hallucinations in Septic Shock

Jun 24, 2012 - Aug 24, 2013

Hi y'all-

I would like to know if any of you who suffered through septic shock from illness or surgery that went wrong had hallucinations during the time you were septic.

While I was in ICU in septic shock on life support, I had horrendous hallucinations. I was chased, beaten, raped, and worse in my mind while this was going on. I felt like I was running and fighting for days. This particu ...

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41 replies | 39089 views

Peejay

Looking Forward: Stoma and Poetry

Jan 11, 2016 - Jan 22, 2016

A 'blog' is new to me... and so is my stoma. Consequently, trying to be honest writing about - and coping - with both makes me realize how much I need to look forward, not backward. As I'm a poet, this piece might say it for me...
Resolution
Mozart mixes well
with melancholy,
to such extent
that the notes have meandered
the estuary marsh
of my brackish mind,
sweetening the water.
Window pearls ...

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41 replies | 3491 views

nini

Struggling with Acceptance: Is Love Possible with an Ostomy?

Jun 14, 2011 - Oct 12, 2015

Hi everyone,
I'm Niamh... I've been a member for over a year but have been a bit quiet. Just felt I needed to post this... I'm feeling really down at the minute.
I've had an ostomy since 2009 after 2 years of hell with UC. I had a boyfriend all through my illness but he couldn't accept the bag after the op and the relationship broke down 9 months later.
I've only recently felt like getting o ...

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40 replies | 34082 views

Daisy2023

Struggling with Ostomy News

Jul 26, 2023 - Nov 19, 2023

I'm really on the edge as I found out more bad news. I don't know what to do. No one seems to understand what I'm going through. I'm sure whoever, if anyone, is reading this will. I can't get a reversal. Maybe this isn't a big deal, maybe it is, but I have not come to terms with it at all. Anyways, just a shot in the dark posting here. Anyone else receive similar news and were crushed?

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38 replies | 1749 views

tiff041

Stoma Naming: Share Your Stories and Reasons!

Nov 17, 2021 - Oct 17, 2022

I used to think I was in the minority but...looking online I see I am not. So...has anyone named their stoma? If so...what did you name it and the reason why. Mine is Stella

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38 replies | 2760 views