here is what i have

(sorry guys its nothing funny, lol)

so in another thread we talked about how we would like to see a segment on ostomies on the doctors tv show. so i have been working on a letter, please give me honest opinions!

I am writing on behalf of the members of the ostomy board on healingwell.com.  Everyday we answer and ask questions regarding ostomies.   There is so little information readily available and must of it is misinformation.  Because of this we read posts from people who are afraid of surgery because they dont have the correct information.  So many people suffer from ulcerative collitis, crohns disease, chronic constipaion and other diseases, pumping their bodies full of dangerous drugs and suffering needlessly because they dont understand ostomies.  Many people think they will be confined to their homes because of a smell, or that people will be able to tell just by looking.  They think they wont be able to wear the clothes they want to.  Or that their quality of life will be compromised, that they will be unable to run, or swim or hike.  Or that their diet will be restricted.  When in reality, all of these are misconceptions.  People with ostomies can, and do, anything they want! 
If you could spend some time on your show clearing up some of these myths up, maybe fewer people would continue suffering out of fear.  Many of the people on the board with ostomies held on needlessly to our colons, because we didnt know how much better life would be with an ostomy!  Your show is always good about providing factual information in a way everyone can understand.  And if you would touch on this subject and let people see someone with an ostomy, it would go a long way into clearing up all these misconceptions.

Please take this into consideration.  Thank you for reading.

Members of the ostomy board on healing well.com

(mods, please let me know if its ok to use the website name!)

well it wsnt my idea alone, it was an idea from another thread, i just wrote the letter, lol.

Sounds good to me. Just a few typo's but your content is super. Go for it. Rosemary

I am writing on behalf of the members of the ostomy board on healingwell.com.  Everyday we answer, and ask, questions regarding ostomies.   There is so little information readily available and much of it is misinformation.  Because of this we read posts from people who are afraid of surgery because they don't have the correct information.  So many people suffer from ulcerative collitis, crohns disease, chronic constipaion and other diseases, pumping their bodies full of dangerous drugs and suffering needlessly because they don't understand ostomies.  Many people think they will be confined to their homes because of a smell, or that people will be able to tell just by looking.  They think they won't be able to wear the clothes they want to.  Or that their quality of life will be compromised, that they will be unable to run, or swim or hike.  Or that their diet will be restricted.  When in reality, all of these are misconceptions.  People with ostomies can, and do, anything they want!  Another big problem is that people are made to think that surgery is "giving up" because of all the negativity regarding it.  Surgery is not giving up, surgery is taking back your life and winning, beating the disease. 
If you could spend some time on your show clearing up some of these myths up, maybe fewer people would continue suffering out of fear.  Many of the people on the board with ostomies held on needlessly to our colons, because we didnt know how much better life would be with an ostomy!  Your show is always good about providing factual information in a way everyone can understand.  And if you would touch on this subject and let people see someone with an ostomy, it would go a long way into clearing up all these misconceptions.

Please take this into consideration.  Thank you for reading.

Members of the ostomy board on healingwell.com

I added a little piece about how surgery is not giving up, and fixed a few typos, someone please proofread for me! 

I like it, too, it looks like you've found the typo's but I'll look at it again in the am...when I have a brain again!!!

Great idea. Summer,  but remember that there are ostomates  whose quality of life has changed. I can lo longer wear pants with a belt, because my stoma is right on the belt line and very large.  I almost look like I am half [regnant.  Left half.  Still when I remembeer before surgery how miserable I was and how much better I feel now, I am thankful fopr the cholostomy.  I think that for everyone who can go on with little change in their lifestyle, there are those who will need to make some major adjustments. 

ralph

and its posted!

Ralph, I have the same problem. I feel like I'm pregnant on my right side with all the gas that fills up my bag. Part of my bag hangs up over any waistband and that's what fills up with gas. I can't always "burp" it wherever I am. Anyone tried Gas-X and know if it works? I'll try most anything. Right now I just don't eat much if I know I'm going to be out where I can't quickly get to a restroom.

Summerstorm, I'll go vote for it!

Summerstorm, thanks. I'll give the gas-x a try. Whatever I eat seems to go through me pretty quickly, too. Does it help to take it before eating? I don't worry if I'm just home...I can take care of it easy here.

try those things that melt in your mouth if you think its not staying in you, and you can take immodium to slow down your output, or eat things like bananas, or french fries or peanutbutter they will slow down your output

thanks guys! maybe we will win!

so yall we are up to 130 points but we need more, so please vote!

Sadly, the first topic on the surgery page is now froma woman who has an ostomy and says she is depressed about being stuck with it for life.

And thats just what we dont want people to see ostomies as!

So please vote and help get this idea on the air!

I voted the other day!