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Wow, guess what i did today!

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Ostomies
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Posted 1/15/2008 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
I went to the drug store and had to ask the pharmacist about something, and i actually told him about my ostomy!  that's the first person i have told IRL.  I was so nervous, lol.  but he didnt' bat an eye, he just showed me what medicine would be best...i was so proud of myself, lol.
Posted 1/15/2008 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you! I'm glad that you took that step. For me, once I told the first person, it felt so good I began telling everyone. Now I think I probably share it a little tooo much. I feel that being able to tell people goes a long way towards accepting that you are not "different", you are a normal person that happens to do something a little differently, that's all. We all poop. Some do it in a bowl, some do it in a bag. Sometimes, I prefer our way!
Posted 1/15/2008 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Way to go, Leah! I know that was a big step for you, and I'm glad you just put it out there and got a good response. I'm so proud of you! :-)
Posted 1/15/2008 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Summer,

What a huge accomplishment! It is hard to actually tell someone that you have an ileostomy. The members of my gym have seen me go through surgery every year for the past 3 years and I have been hospitalized several times during the years for dehydration or blockages. So, pretty much every 6 months, I was getting substitutes to teach my classes for me. When I returned from this last surgery, everyone was asking me, "What did the Drs do this time" and I was nervous to answer. I did not want to lie, but I did not want to share either. I decided to be honest. For the most part, everyone was supportive and impressed that I returned to work after such a short time.

I am very proud of you for overcoming your fear to tell people! You are a wonderful example!
Posted 1/15/2008 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Summer! --- Congrats on speaking out :)! Good for you. Cross that one off of your list of to do's.
Posted 1/16/2008 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys! and today i called the ET nurse and volunteered to talk to people who were considering, or having problems dealing emotionally with their ostomies, but i guess they don't wnat me because they didnt' call me back. But i had been putting that off, becaue i was shy about it.
Posted 1/16/2008 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wow summer, that's totally admirable. I doubt I'd have the courage. So ur saying b4 u told the guy at the store no one knew?! How long have u had urs again? No crazy noises or n e thing?
Posted 1/16/2008 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Summer,

Keep pushing your nurse to be a resource. My nurse gave me the name and number of someone locally and she was a HUGE help to me. I was sitting in my hospital room feeling somewhat alone (not completely alone because I have this forum..Yippie) but still I was alone. Then my nurse gave me this young girl's name and I called her. It was wonderful. I hope you can be that person for someone else.
Posted 1/16/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)

Before I moved to IN, I lived in OH.  That is where I had my surgery.  I immediately joined the local UOA chapter, served as Secretary and also Newsletter Editor and then became certified as a UOA visitor.   I had the opportunity to visit several patients in the local hospitals.  Mainly, I was only used for the younger patients so that they could relate to me a little easier. 

When I moved here to IN, the UOA chapter was 1 1/2 hrs away, and I really wasn't into the travel.  I have done phone visits with some of my local GI's patients ... he asked if he could give others my name and number to have them call me.  Each time he did, he would call and give me their name so I would have a heads up if I rec'd their call.

I had a hospital "visitor" when I had my permanent ileostomy done and it was a life altering experience for me.  I was not always a positive person, UNTIL that visit.  That was a huge turn around for me.  I am so happy that I can pay it forward in some way.  I get such a feeling of accomplishment.   I told my husband a couple of months ago, that no matter how busy we get with our own life, this forum is such a great means of therapy for me to be able to help someone else that I was going to make a concentrated effort to check in daily.  I come home from work, and immediately turn on my pc to check out what's happening!  That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!!!!

Posted 1/17/2008 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
i had hoped i could help people too, i thought it would be good for people, espeically young (i'm not THAT old) girls, or women, who are worried about their body image and such, you know to see someone who looked normal. But i don't want to bug the nurses, i think i am going to call a surgeon that is around here. I don't there is a UOA chapter around here. There isn't anything around here, lol.
praying-my family knows, and that is it, noone at my work or anywhere else knows. I didn't tell the guys at work, because i don't want to listen to them talk about how cool it is i can poop anywhere and never have to wipe my butt. they are rather immature, even though my boss is close to 50. Just some good ole redneck boys!
Posted 1/17/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
So, Peggy, the next time we're chatting on the phone for 4 hours, you can just tell Scott that you're encouraging me!!! tongue
Posted 1/17/2008 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
hehehehehe!  I like that story too!

Posted 1/17/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)

peggy113 said...
....
I am so happy that I can pay it forward in some way.................

Peggy

thanks for your post....you may have inspired me to check into joining a local UOA chapter out this way (anyway chime in if they know about UOA in California)

i love the movie "Pay it Forward". my good friends and I, all say that all the time! i have found that "paying it forward" is one of the best things a person can do to feel useful and relevant in our world....so i try to pay something forward on a daily basis.

kudos to you for all the kindness you spread!

and kudos to anyone who shows "what's under their shirt" courageous souls all of you!

i try to tell just about anyone who matters in my life....i must admit it is easier once you have told one person, but the time i have trouble with is when I have chosen not to say something about it to a particular person, and then later I want to, i have a harder time then if I would have just said something to them earlier..it's a head game i play with myself I suppose.

T.T.U.A.L. - Nat
Posted 1/18/2008 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Aww Jeez, Thanks Glad   tongue
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