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My friend just got an ileostomy

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Ostomies
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Posted 5/25/2011 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
My friend just got an ileostomy due to colon cancer, and she's doing really well. I stopped by to visit her in the hospital today, and the ostomy nurse came in to change her wafer. She asked me to stay, so I sat in a chair and chatted with her while the nurse did her thing. Thanks to all of the communicating I've done on this forum, I felt really comfortable talking with her about my ileostomy.

It makes me wonder, do any of you know someone personally with an ostomy? I've had one for 5 years, and this is the first time I've been able to be there for someone I know personally and feel really blessed that she knows she's not alone.
Posted 5/25/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
we had a family friend who had a colostomy and an urostomy due to spinabihida, i never got to speak to him about it, because of some odd cirumcumstances, and he has died since then. but it actually helped me at first since i knew he had one, and knew i couldnt' see it, and that it didn't smell and all those things.
i wish there was a group near here, so i could help people in person who had questions.
Posted 5/25/2011 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
My sister quite unexpectedly had emergency surgery 2 weeks before my husband's scheduled surgery which was a shock. Needless to say we are comparing notes and sharing info back and forth. Since I am the one on these boards I am constantly sharing info to the both of them and keeping them up to date on what I keep learning here.
Posted 5/25/2011 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
I know a lot because of my support group, but no one in my "regular" life :)
Posted 5/25/2011 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I met someone through the Crohn's and Colitis foundation and I also went to a support group last month, but like 80's chick, not one in my "regular" life, although I have become friends w/the woman I met though CCFA, so she's in my regular life now. I did hear about all kinds of sister-in-laws of my cousin's wife's mother and that sort of thing....
Posted 5/25/2011 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my emer.surgery, my mom told me her cousin went in 2 days before. That was really weird, but I did call her and she helped me with some questions about gas. It was really nice to speak with someone I knew. It's great you can be there for your friend. My husband was supportive but you know how shes feeling. smilewinkgrin
Posted 5/25/2011 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Again,

Have not known anyone in my "regular" life with an ostomy.  Of course, one of my GI's said before surgery that, "...you've probaby had someone sit next to you with an osotomy and didn't even know it.."  Which, is probably true...

I've met several folks through a couple of ostomy groups, and talk to them quite a bit (especially now after surgery...sort of like this website....)

Of course, "regular" life is changing by the minute/day, so we can all probably say after awhile that we do know people with ostomies...

If you haven't been to an ostomy support group, at least call one...there may be folks near you that you don't even know that have an ostomy.....worth a try....

enigma

 

Posted 5/25/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have met many jpouchers over the years but those were arranged meetings after having met online. Many have become very close friends. I have never met a jpoucher just by chance.

Sue
Posted 5/25/2011 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
i got to know someone about my age about 6 mons ago in a forum (israelie) and we've become totally best friends. she's the one who started the new israelie forum with me. also, through the forum we got to meet some more ostomates and we do meetings from time to time. there's also a support group here that arranges meetings and trips for ostomates.
Posted 5/25/2011 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
My husband's uncle had a permanent ileo when he was a teenager due to UC...and is a great role model as to living life to the fullest!! AND...a friend I grew up with's husband and I had our ileo surgeries about the same time...he has since gone on to a j-pouch!

I have also met many people through CCFA, support groups and volunteering and have made some wonderful friends, too smurf

Your friend is very lucky to have you share your experiences...knowing that someone has made the transition to 'normal' life is a great help when adjusting :-)
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