This topic is about a long-time ostomate who is finding it a bit tricky to navigate a new support website. She has been living with an ostomy for 16 years and appreciates the support she gets from her ET nurse. Even with her experience, she enjoys learning new things and connecting with others who understand what life with an ostomy is like. However, she is facing some limitations on the site because she is not a paid member, which restricts her from using the private-mail function to respond directly to others.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Even without a paid membership, you can still communicate with others on the site. You can reply publicly to any post or leave a comment on a member’s profile page.

2. If you find the site navigation confusing, know that you are not alone. Many newcomers have the same experience.

3. For those concerned about long-term health with an ostomy, some long-term ileostomates (15 years) report being in good health with only one blockage, which can be reassuring for long-term success.

Additionally, the originator shared a little holiday update, mentioning a snowy Christmas in Texas, enjoying some nut-filled holiday foods, and wishing everyone a safe New Year’s Eve.