I have Crohn's disease (among a few other autoimmune and related conditions, my family has had really terrible luck as far as health is concerned), which is what caused me to lose my intestine and rectum about two and a half years ago. I now have an ileostomy. People often assume the worst about life with an ostomy, but in reality, it actually greatly improves the quality of life of many people. Since having my surgery I can participate in a lot more than I was able to before, i can eat many foods that I previously could not and I am in way less pain. There definitely are some challenges, but living with no large intestine is actually a lot better than living with one that doesn't work.
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Hey a fellow ostomate! I had UC for a year and my bowel perforated soon after leaving me with a ileostomy. Three years later and twelve surgeries I got myself a barbie butt too. Life is much better with it as without it I would not be around to enjoy it. I recently wrote about it all How I got flipped Inside Out... For REAL!.
I've followed you now so, see you around.
Yayyyy! So great to see another ostomate here! I first became symptomatic as a teen and went just over fifteen years before surgery. My doctors had talked about it for quite a while before I actually had it though. I had a proctocolectomy, so the barbie but and ostomy were all done at the same time. I was scared to death about surgery for years but it got to the point where I really wasn't living much of a life and it was better to get the surgery before things became life threatening. I have been really happy with my decision though. I am going to check out your link now. Thanks for commenting!!
You are more than welcome, Life with an ostomy is heaps better than being sick but it takes us a while to get there as its a huge surgery and it is life changing. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on my story :-)
Whoa. That all sounds a little crazy. But I'm super glad that we have the capapbility to do it so your lives can be better.
I'm so happy this lesson was the catalist in your meeting! It's important to have others around who experience the same things as you. Makes us feel more normal.
Hugs to you both! 😍