ASH83, CONSIDERINGABAG, AND STOMAGRRRL....U GUYS JUST DON'T KNOW

I don't know if its allowed to use the post simply to address others on the site, but i sincerely felt the need to send this post out to Ash and Considering.  You guys really don't know how much your thoughts about my concerns mean to me. first stomagrrl was kind enough to give me her myspace and post pics of her actual ostomy and post surgery just for me to see, then considering with that educational video, and ash with in 5mins of considering (mayb even before) posted the pics in her clothes so i could see that you can't tell.

Ash and considering, you guys literally made me cry just knowing that someone understands all the crazy thoughts and fears that come along with this decision. And to think that you guys would remember me by name, its really truly appreciated.

Considering, i already posted that i'm gonna watch the rest with my mom this evening. But the parts iv seen already have already made me at ease.

Ash, you look awesome! i would never know! honestly, when u said u were gonna post, i thought ok, she's around my age, my size, she's gonna post pics in cute little baby dolls dresses and baggier jeans then im used to wearing. But no, u look awesome! Also, i know how it may have been a big step for you to post the pics, even though ur face doesnt show, its still a very private and challenging thing to do. ur soooo brave!

Once again, i dont think i can express enough how grateful i am for all of you guys.  God does answer prayers, and you all are like my angels.

Thanks again and again and again

Ash, how cool of you to share pictures of yourself with Praying! I was happy to hear how you still looked awesome in pre-surgery clothing!

And Praying, keep us updated on what you decide. After I schedule a surgery date, I will let you all know! I am thinking I will try to do it in late March or early April...so soon, yikes!

I am a teacher (just now in my second year of teaching), and I would prefer to have surgery then so I could take off the last 8 weeks or so of school, and have the summer to get used to things before I go back to work (not going back to work in the fall is Not an option! I have bills to pay!!)

Also, did it help you to see that video at all? My fiance watched it with me last night. I am glad I made him watch it with me, because he said that was not how he was picturing it to look (he thought the stoma would be flush with my skin, for example) but he was very supportive and says he doesn't care because the rest of me will be the same and he just wants me to feel better. I think it will be easiest for us to adjust if both he and I know what to expect!!

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Praying,

Yeah, the stoma sticks out farther from the skin than I orginally pictured too until I stared seeing photos of them on the internet (Shaz, who is a moderator here, has her own site which is great, and has lots of pictures of other stomas--no two look quite the same. Just google "Shaz's Ostomy Pages" and you'll be there.) *And, from what the people here have said, if your stoma does NOT protrude about that much, you will be miserable because you will have problems with bag leaks frequently since the output will lay against your skin instead of going in the bag, thus eat through the wafer causing a leak.

Also, since the stoma will be covered 99% of the time (and only uncovered in the bathroom), it's not going to be something people are going to be seeing, and I am sure You will get used to seeing it very quickly!

That is funny that you are a teacher too! :) I am so sorry you had to give that up due to being sick--I know how you feel. I had to drop out of college one semester because of Crohn's. Just think, after you have surgery (you have UC, right?) you will be pretty much "cured"!! And able to do all the things you used to! :) I don't think returning to the classroom is "wishful thinking" as you said--that is what I intend to do!! :) :) We will both be able to do that.

I teach science. It is all that I can do to make it through a day at school sometimes, I am so busy then! I also (don't know why I do this to myself) just recently became our department head, so now I have a whole bunch of other responsibilities...! However, it is a position I worked hard for and really wanted, and did not want my decision to accept the position be based on "what will happen if I get sick in the future??" and other similar thoughts. People at work were very supportive. They said, if you get sick, we will deal with it then, but don't let it affect your decision to take the job. :)

Take care, get all the information you can--if you are like me, the more you know, the less scary or weird it seems. I am off to the doctor today (took the day off work) to get a second opinion on whether I need an ileostomy (I know they are going to say YES you do, but I feel like i would be stupid to Not get a second opinion, you know?)

Let me know if/when you decide to have surgery!! Hope you enjoyed the meal out with your mom!

Erin