Thoughts on World Ostomy Day!
Today is World Ostomy Day. Most people won't know this or even care and if I'm honest I didn't up until 3 1/2 years ago when my Ostomy saved my life! That's pretty much the long and short of it... If an amazing surgeon hadn't taken out my colon and formed an opening with my ileum on my stomach I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be watching my daughter swim. I wouldn't be able to go out for a curry with friends. I wouldn't be able to run.
Before I was given my ileostomy I honestly didn't know much about them. I guess the concept of pooing into a bag on my stomach was pretty grim. It certainly freaked me out when the surgeon came in and told me that they were considering removing my colon... But you can't live without a colon! Actually you can... Very well...and a whole load better than I could live with my diseased colon.
So ... What do I want you to know today?
1) My Ostomy is the single most important reason that I am here today!
2) I look like everybody else. YOU can't see my bag, most of the time you have know idea I even have one. It doesn't stop me from doing anything, in fact it has given me my life backp!
3) Your poo smells just as bad as mine. Trust me! I go into toilets after other people so I get to smell their poo! Yes mine smells but yours does too! Although I tend to avoid fish because that does make it smell really bad! 😜
4) You make way more mess in the toilet than I do... I've learnt tricks to make sure that everything flushes away. Lining the bowl with toilet paper is a great tip!
5) There are more people with an Ostomy and bowel problems than I ever imagined!
6) I am happy to answer any questions... I am conscious about how I look but it's much more important that peopel understand about my amazing Ostomy!So please ask!
Happy World Ostomy Day... Raise awareness!
Before I was given my ileostomy I honestly didn't know much about them. I guess the concept of pooing into a bag on my stomach was pretty grim. It certainly freaked me out when the surgeon came in and told me that they were considering removing my colon... But you can't live without a colon! Actually you can... Very well...and a whole load better than I could live with my diseased colon.
So ... What do I want you to know today?
1) My Ostomy is the single most important reason that I am here today!
2) I look like everybody else. YOU can't see my bag, most of the time you have know idea I even have one. It doesn't stop me from doing anything, in fact it has given me my life backp!
3) Your poo smells just as bad as mine. Trust me! I go into toilets after other people so I get to smell their poo! Yes mine smells but yours does too! Although I tend to avoid fish because that does make it smell really bad! 😜
4) You make way more mess in the toilet than I do... I've learnt tricks to make sure that everything flushes away. Lining the bowl with toilet paper is a great tip!
5) There are more people with an Ostomy and bowel problems than I ever imagined!
6) I am happy to answer any questions... I am conscious about how I look but it's much more important that peopel understand about my amazing Ostomy!So please ask!
Happy World Ostomy Day... Raise awareness!
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