Group Meetings

I have not posted for several months..so howdy to all of you again. Like a lot of people I found this forum a wealth of information when I was struggling..

I am just curious how many of you attend an ostomy group meeting?

I live in the Houston texas area and we have several groups here that are available.

We have one locally that meets on a Saturday once a month. Initially thought we did not need it but decided to go and see what it was all about. Very glad we did.

We made contact with 2 WOCNs in the area that attend our meetings we did not know about....hubby's hospital is 2 1/2+ hr drive away so this is very convenient if he needs to see a WOCN.

Plus we found that our going also helps to provide info, support and assistance to others who are confused and or in the dark about a lot of what is available out there. Of course we can pick up some information as well but we feel good about being able to be of help to others that may need it. Kind of thought in the beginning it might be a bit uncomfortable but NOT AT ALL.

There's a group at my hospital that my WOCN has invited me to a couple of times. I wouldn't mind going because I've never met anyone else in real life who has an ostomy (that I know of ) but it's a bit inconvenient, and to be honest with my reversal coming up in a few months I kind of wonder if my presence would be wanted by the other patients... maybe that's silly but I don't know if I stand to gain enough or offer enough help to be worth going.

I attend a local support group. I am so glad I decided to check it out. I have learned so much and met so many really cool people. We are always very positive and upbeat and we do a lot of fun things.

I find my in-person group quite rewarding. I pass on a lot of tips I've learned here, actually, and it's helpful to people. It's really wonderful to see people with ostomies in person, and just see the variety of people. It's a strong bond, with people who in other contexts I might not try to connect with. Often there are people who come in terrified and crying the first meeting, thinking they might rather die than have a bag, and then six months later they're laughing and helping others.....

The group I'm in is quite varied with regard to age, race, occupation, health issues, etc (and it's the only support group I've ever been in that has more men than women).

I feel like the whole time I was sick my life got smaller and smaller, and as soon as I decided on surgery, it started getting bigger again, and the group is part of that (and I know this is not everyone's experience, but it is mine).