As you may have seen in last weeks post about Ostomy Surgery Appointments and how COVID had messed them about you may remember I said I would keep you updated on it. Well obviously my appointment hasn’t happened yet as it isn’t until December but it doesn’t mean it isn’t playing heavily on my mind.
It isn’t something I like talking about being wary of surgery which in itself is entirely stupid as it shouldn’t matter if I am an advocate for positively (most of the time) living with an ostomy I am still human and I am allowed to worry and heck even be scared. No doubt some of it will be completely inconsequential or just stupid vain stuff; but regardless it is still there in my mind and it is bugging the life out of me!
Some of these things are:
- having a spout on my stoma – now I NEED a spout it’s the whole reason I’m having the surgery but my stoma is flat and has been like this for 4.5 years it’s what I’m used too.
- if the pandemic is still going on; I’m not as strong as some of my friends who have had surgery whilst all this has been going on and not been able to have visitors etc. I found it difficult enough being on my own last year for my general anaesthetic when I had my wisdom tooth removed!
- will I be able to adjust again to having a stoma and an entire new routine? This one is an odd one because I can change other peoples stoma’s at work no bother but I have a set routine with mine and I am most certainly a creature of habit. It was easy enough to learn a routine with this one as it was all I had ever known.
Those were the top three that I am struggling with at the moment. Have you ever had multiple surgeries on your stoma? If so how have you coped with it?
That is truly amazing resilience Katie, going through something like that with loved ones close by to support you is one thing but going through it virtually alone is anothing thing all together. Of course it’s horrible that you had to go through this at all but also in another way you could look at it as a blessing in that it taught you so much about yourself, which otherwise you may never have known. Bravo for getting through it and being able to see it in this way. You are an inspiration.
I had multiple surgeries 5 hours away from home. I spent 5 months in the hospital on isolation precautions for a portion of it. I was essentially alone that entire time. It was hard and also scary for me. I learned a lot about myself and how resilient I am.
We are stronger than we realize. We are IBD warriors.
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