You have a what????

So after being back at work for 5 months now after my emergency surgery and life changing experience, apparently I haven't seen everyone that I used to work with that heard about my surgery.

I was standing in line for a tea when my old director came up to me, gave me a hug and asked how I was.  I proceeded to say that I was fine and all was well and that I was heading back to see the surgeon in September to determine next steps.  We talked and chatted (while in line for coffee.....at Tim's) and he asked EXACTLY what happened.  It took three seconds for me to decide "Well, I guess an education right now is how it's going to be" and proceeded to tell him about my loop ileo and what that meant and what I am doing now to manage the crohns.  He was stunned, looked me up and down (wearing a black dress and white sweater) and he almost yells "You have a what???  Where the heck is it?"  Now I am dying inside....people are looking at me in line like I have just had an arm amputed and blood is gushing everywhere.  So I calmy explained to him where it was and how it functioned.  He couldn't stop saying "Oh my lord, I can't believe it.  You are so strong, and you would never know that you have a bag."  I said thank you and changed the subject....

After I got my tea and was heading back to my office, two people came up to me.  One told me he has had a colostomy for 20 years and the lady he was with told me she had a ileo for two years and now has a J pouch....How cool is that!  We exchanged names and emails and will be meeting for coffee later this week.  You just never know when you will meet someone in a similar situation!

As embarassing as it was for all his raving, I am happy I provided some education and met some new fellow ostomates!

 

Very Classy Indeed !!!

Larasmom, You handled that awesome. I had worked for 2 months with an Ostomy and explained what happened because I had an emergency surgery and almost died. After that, it really wasn't brought up much. One lady that I worked with who always uses intercompany mail to contact me called me out of the blue. We were talking about work and then she surprised me saying that she had an ostomy and if I ever needed to talk, I could call her. I never would have noticed...

By the way, every time you mention Tim's you're making me jealous. I've been to Toronto and a small town called Leamington.

I think that's just it, people don't know what they don't know and they aren't sure how to ask. I guess it's up to us to educate people and take the mystery out of it!

Tim's is Tim Hortons. Famous Canadian coffee shop. They are all across the country and have addictive coffee!!!!!

Larasmom- Ever been to a Dunkin Donuts? :)

We've got Starbucks and a variety of Starbucks-copy chains plus Cafe Einstein chains (Viennese version). Dunken Donuts hit the train stations a few years ago. I've become more of a Turkish coffee person than a capuccino person, and since I also allow myself only one coffee per day in the afternoon, I really enjoy my Turkish coffee moment at the window.

"I suspect some co-workers will need to be clued in eventually if my lil' buddy decides to make some noises one day (usually only happens when I treat myself to certain things that I know create extra gas eg some sweets etc)" Oh Pro, I remember the old days pre-op when you were all "If the stoma EVER makes ANY NOISE WHATSOEVER at work that is UNACCEPTABLE I am CANCELING my surgery!" Hehehe sorry!!! Still glad you're happy

I wish I had nosier people in my workplace! Everyone knows the basics (I have UC, I needed to have surgery, I'm having three surgeries this year) but no one has been "rude" enough to ask what that actually means. I feel like things would be easier if I were open about it because frankly I think if people knew that I had an ostomy they would be more sympathetic to my taking medical leaves. Unfortunately they won't ask and not knowing other people's threshold for "bathroom information" I don't volunteer it. At my last job I considered my coworkers my friends and definitely would have shared the whole story, but I don't know these people well enough (started the job at the same time I got sick, so never felt well enough to "bond"). Oh well.

We were at our "beach house" on the weekend and went to a potluck dinner. Oh lord, the food was amazing!!! But....I did meet someone with an ileo. She is the same age as me and her surgery was an emergency too. She said the hardest part for her once she realized her UC was gone, was actually getting in the shower. It terrified her. She went two weeks without showering and finally her hubby called her mom and had her come over. Her mom, who was also at the potluck, said she literally had to push her into the shower with her clothes on. After that, all was good. She is happier than she has ever been and is training to run in two marathons this year. I was so happy to meet her, I gave her a huge hug. Will see her again in August. Funny how life works.