Hi Xnine. Glad you mentioned it. I wrote something about that some time ago but I work so hard at not thinking about the stoma, I forgot what I wrote about it. My stoma consumed my thoughts, controlled my emotions and influenced my dispopsition. About a month after surgery I was very carefully raking leaves and after about 20 minutes I felt better than I did in a long time. I was shocked by the realization that I didn't think about the stoma during that entire time. That was the first twenty minutes my stoma wasn't overpowering my thoughts. I felt good, very good. I felt like I was a different person physically and emotionally. I started thinking about all the time I spent worrying about all the things that could go wrong. Pretty much, nothing did go wrong and all the worrying wouldn't have prevented it anyway. So I decided to ignore my new appendage and fill my head with all the good things in my life starting with my life. I got back to the music I so love and listened better and enjoyed it more than ever. I spent more time with my wife away from home. Maybe the casino, church, movies or just walking around stores.
I know we feel pain in parts of our bodies that have been cut, manipulated, rearranged, etc. But that doesn't compare to the pain of severe anxiety and/or depression. When our minds take over our bodies, we're screwed!
Half of the questions that overwhelm us and control our minds don't need to be asked. Stuff happens and I'm not smart enough to guarantee everything is going to just glide smoothly along. Even that could get boring. It can all be good if we just let it.
Forgive me if I seem like I'm bragging or preaching. I just feel blessed that I got where I am and barely remember the bad times. Maybe it's a matter of perception but perception is all that matters. I wish you well and feel like you'll be way better, way sooner than you expected.
Respectfully,
Mike