I like what she says

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I recently stumbled upon a profile on the site that made me rethink the priorities in my life... Here is what the profile says:

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Past Member
Hi, my name is Pippa and I just read the message. It brought everything back to me because my situation was very similar. I had emergency surgery in July 08 and ended up with a colostomy.

I had had an operation and was feeling quite good considering having surgery. I was sent home after 2 days. 1 week later, my husband rushed me to the hospital. I had shallow breathing and a temperature. After many blood tests, x-rays, and CT scans, I was rushed to the theatre for surgery. They opened me up, took a litre of abscesses away, gave what's called a washout, and gave me a colostomy.

After 7 days in P.O.C.C.U, I was transferred to I.C.U where I spent 9 weeks. I had lots of complications and had to go down to the theatre and be reopened because I was not getting any better. Eventually, I did get better and spent 3 weeks on a general ward.

I was told there had been a suture put in my colon (from my first op) which had leaked. I had septicemia, septic shock, and all my major organs were starting to close down. I had 24 to 36 hours to pull through. My husband and 2 kids were told this. I can't imagine my family being told. I had a tracheotomy, all my hair had fallen out, I lost 2 stone in weight, and I had to learn to walk again.

It's now 9 months and I am slowly recovering from my traumatic time. I still go to physio, which helps.

It does make you re-evaluate your life and I agree with what's been said. You do enjoy life more. I have reconnected with some old school friends and we have a ball. It's so good. Also, my family, we have all become a lot closer. It's fab now. My only concern is having my reversal. I am not looking forward to it. Pippa
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heavenly evans
Hi to everyone, this is my first ever post. I have had my colostomy for only 4 weeks. Physically, I can change the bag and do the skin care, etc. However, emotionally, I'm in a very different place. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks and ended up with an emergency colostomy. I have had problems with my bowels all my life (28 years) and I dreaded the day this had to happen to me. I feel like everyone can see my stoma and bag. Is this a normal reaction/feeling? I don't know what is considered an expected reaction. I feel like I hate my body and the hospital is only interested if you're physically coping. Does anyone else find this? I am married and I worry that my husband won't find me attractive any longer, even though he says he still does. As supportive as he is, he does not understand why I have these issues/feelings. Please help me understand why I feel this way. Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Past Member
Hi Heavenly Evans, I have just read your post. Firstly, welcome. I am sure you will get all the support that you need.

All I can say is that I still go through things like what you have said you feel. Myself, I feel people look at me because I have a Peristomal Hernia, so it protrudes quite a lot. Therefore, I wear loose tops and there are specialist underwear garments. See your stoma nurse.

I think you have to put things into perspective. Do you have a better quality of life now that you have your colostomy? And believe me, you will start to live with your colostomy. I have given my colostomy a name. It's called "Cleo," which is a good thing to do because it will become your friend eventually. Also, with regard to your husband, if he truly loves you, it will be just fine. I had a difficult time because I have my colostomy, all because of my surgeon doing a totally different operation. He put a suture in my colon that leaked, and I had septicemia, septic shock. All my major organs started to close down. I was given 24 hours to pull through and spent 3 months in the hospital with many, many complications. Anyway, I will leave you to think about what I said. Take care and take one day at a time. Pippa
jeaniefrances

We have to take the time to grieve who we once were, we are not the same anymore. We can be better but it takes some work. I am single and my boyfriend dumped me by text in the middle of the night. He just couldn't do it anymore. It did hurt my ego, but I have adjusted. I do think I may never marry again or even have a boyfriend, I know I am the same person only with appliances! Maybe we need to realize that if someone loves us, as I bet your husband does, then they can see beyond the plastic bag and problems, to who we really are. I would rather someone love me that way, then lust for me and love me for the wrong reasons. I have done that my whole life and it just never worked out for me. If I do get a second chance it will be for all the right reasons. We are who we are, not what we think our piece of plastic makes us..Jeanie

 
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
newbyinDakota

How do you deal with these feelings of foreboding? Like, what's next! I have a huge faith and support system but ultimately I need to figure out how to deal. My problems are all fixable and a surgeon once said....'all holes eventually close'. I walked around for 5 days before my leak post-hyst reared its ugly head. Sepsis, peritonitis......now home with a bladder fistula that needs to be repaired first.?????? How????? And then eventually a reversal.
LIFE CHANGING for sure but just hard to stay optimistic, you know.

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