This topic is about a person reflecting on how having an ileostomy surgery changed the course of their life. As a young man, he was eager to join the U.S. Marines after being inspired by a book. However, a severe illness led to a long hospital stay and ileostomy surgery, which made him ineligible for military service. Instead of going to war, he joined anti-war protests. Now at 77, he believes the ostomy saved him from a potentially tragic fate.

Here are some pieces of advice and insights shared by others:

1. Some members suggest creating a collective book to share experiences, with proposed titles like "Journeys of an Ostomate," "The Zen of an Ostomy," and "How I Learned to Love My Stoma." They invite story submissions from the community.

2. A member with 55 years of experience living with an ostomy offers to help coordinate the book project. They share examples, such as a person from Papua New Guinea whose efforts led to the creation of the PNG Ostomy Association.

3. The same member talks about global supply shortages and describes personal efforts to donate excess ostomy products overseas. They suggest ideas like starting a GoFundMe campaign to cover shipping costs to organizations such as Ostomates Worldwide.

4. Two members share their experiences of being classified 4-F due to their ostomies, highlighting how surgery unexpectedly changed their life paths.

5. There is overall encouragement to share personal stories, support international ostomates in need, and appreciate the unexpected positives that can come from living with an ostomy.