This topic is about a young woman’s experiences with hospital stays, colonoscopies, and adjusting to life with her new ileostomy, which she has named "Bertie." She shares her journey with humor and honesty, offering a glimpse into the challenges and lighter moments she has faced. Here are some key points and advice from her story:

- Over the past six years, she has frequently been hospitalized, often finding herself in geriatric wards where she felt out of place. One memorable moment was discovering two elderly patients swapping bras at 4 a.m.

- She has undergone numerous colonoscopies, starting with her first on her 21st birthday. A recurring exchange with staff involves her feeling the urge to "go," while they insist it’s just air, leading to her warning them about potential accidents.

- Four weeks ago, she received an ileostomy, which she affectionately calls "Bertie." While still in the hospital, she learned firsthand about the "explosive" nature of the output, which left her feeling embarrassed.

- Her embarrassment was compounded by running into colleagues while recovering, as she works as a hospital cleaner and had tubes in place.

- She shares humorous anecdotes, such as the futility of paper knickers (one patient wore them as a hat), the impracticality of knee-high boots with hospital gowns, the dread of being asked to swap underwear, and a nurse mistaking her for a schoolgirl at age 24.

- Humor is her coping mechanism, helping her avoid tears. She appreciates the nurses who make hospital stays more bearable, despite occasional clueless moments, like being asked if she was returning to school at 24.

- As a cleaner, she knows her co-workers can handle messes, which helps ease her embarrassment.

Advice and insights from others include:

1. Maintaining a sense of humor is crucial, and things do get better over time.

2. Younger patients often find themselves in wards with older people, and knowing this can help reduce feelings of isolation.

3. Doctors and nurses may not always have all the answers, so it’s important for patients to stay proactive and informed.

4. Co-workers who are used to dealing with hospital messes are unlikely to judge, so letting go of that worry can help reduce stress.