Coping with stress and strain after ostomy surgery is a journey that many people find themselves on. It involves navigating a range of emotions and physical sensations, from the anxiety before surgery to the pain and adjustments afterward. Here are some insights and advice that might help:

- Before surgery, it's normal to feel fear, and after surgery, the pain can sometimes lead to feelings of despair.
- You might find yourself questioning why this is happening to you, which is a common part of the emotional process.
- Stress can come and go, often resurfacing when something doesn't feel right or when there's pain.
- It's important to strive for calmness and sanity while managing daily life with an ostomy.

Additional thoughts and advice include:

1. Over time, stress tends to decrease, but new abdominal pains can cause concern. Often, these pains are minor issues like trapped wind.
2. Writing poetry or engaging in creative activities can be a helpful way to cope, offering both distraction and clarity.
3. A little stress can be beneficial, as it might help prevent issues like low blood pressure.
4. Many people experience emotional ups and downs after surgery, but these feelings usually become more manageable with time.
5. Keeping a positive outlook is crucial; remind yourself that being alive and pain-free is a blessing.
6. Understand that stress is cyclical. Each episode will pass, but it may return, so be prepared to face it again.
7. Creative outlets such as writing, poetry, or hobbies can be excellent ways to process emotions and find solutions to challenges.
8. When new pains arise, investigate them to rule out serious issues, but remember that they are often minor, like trapped gas.