i am 34 have had a stoma since 28. it has ruined my life and my life is over. There is no help for us we are on our own completely.
Exactly! I have felt the same way for the last 17 years. i had mine placed when i was 24.( do the maths). in the prime of my life. no help or care advice given during that time. i was left to \"Get on with it\", as it were.
It's the embarrasment or other peoples embarrasment, mickey taking etc. etc.
Hi. Sorry to hear that.
There is lots of help out there if you know where to find it.
Try joining the IA (The ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group).
They have a discussion forum which is brilliant after having my colectomy.
Hi I'm so sorry you both find/found life with a stoma so hard. My stoma was created last May 2012 and I love her. I imagine I have had better aftercare, since your stomas were created so many years ago.the hospital I was in do at least one op per week to create a stoma. There are now alot of us around. My stoma isn't a dirty dark secret. I tell everyone (Actually she often protrudes through my clothes and is situated just above my waistline, so if I said nothing people would possibly be curious anyway!) I am alive today
because of Ruby Rose. I thank God that I didn't live in times past ( Victorian times or ealier) when people
with stomas had no specialist equipment and had to adapt containers tied onto them or use rags to
catch the output. think of the smell flies and skin infections.
Yes I hate my tummy - the fat, the scare, the odd shape - but I love my stoma and the bag hides all the
bits I hate! I hope life is easier for you now, since your last post.
Take care Tina