This topic is about the emotional and physical journey someone goes through after major bowel surgery, which results in living with ostomy bags. The person shares their feelings of exhaustion, depression, and a sense of losing their former, more positive self. They find it difficult to focus on anything other than the constant presence of the ostomy bags and feel that spiritual advice from others doesn't quite help. They are grieving the loss of their old identity and questioning their will to live. Here are some pieces of advice and insights that might help:

1. Use humor as a coping tool. Even a silly image or joke can lighten a dark mood and offer a moment of relief.

2. Accept the permanent physical change. Once the colon or rectum is removed, there is no going back. It's more beneficial to focus on adapting to the new reality rather than longing for the past.

3. Reject the "victim" mindset. Try to see survival as a gift. Life can still be challenging, but it is also worthwhile.

4. Allow yourself to grieve the old self. It's normal to mourn who you were, but over time, a new and resilient identity can emerge.

5. Draw on your inner strength and creativity. Surviving such extreme challenges shows a heroic capacity to endure and rebuild.