Welcome, Gribby! This is a great place to meet people who understand what you're going through. I've met some great friends on here. We started out by chatting here, then by email, then facebook, then on the phone, and I actually got to meet Peggy twice in person when she was visiting family in Florida! I know several others have met in person, too.
My ostomy is so well hidden under my clothes that nobody knows I have one unless I tell them. I usually wait until I know someone well enough to share my story of illness and surgery, and so far, everyone has been really wonderful and accepting. When someone cares about
you and hears how sick you were, they're just happy that you're healthy now. Plus, the way I see it, everybody poops, we just do it differently!