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by Jude
Groton, CT |
| Dealing with IBD and surviving ostomy surgery is a BIG deal! Medical challenges involving incontinence are indeed difficult and most people would benefit from seeking support anywhere that support is available. My life has been so much better due to the wonderful support system that I have created for myself. But I did not do it alone. I had the help of my family, my friends, and professionals. |
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| My family has been with me through my entire journey and they are my greatest resource. My husband Charlie and my daughters Alycia and Cheryl have given me the motivation to carry on. There have been times when I wanted to give up and throw in the towel. But looking into their eyes and seeing their love always gave me the strength to fight back and survive my ordeal. Communication has been a key component of my family support. |
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| I have had to learn new communication skills in order to become more assertive. Learning to communicate about my health, my feelings and my needs was an important skill that necessitated taking risks that led me to becoming a stronger person. I have also had to learn to be a better listener. Positive feedback from my family was invaluable because it gave me the pat on the back that I needed to start each new day. It also verified my efforts to succeed in surviving my ostomy surgery. |
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| Negative feedback was also valuable because it encouraged me to reflect on my life so that I could make the changes I needed to improve my quality of life. My family also gave me "space" so that I could grow to be the person I have become since my surgery. My family also supported and encouraged me to seek support from other sources. |
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| When my sisters found out that surgery really meant the loss of a colon and the creation of an ostomy, they researched and found a local UOA support group and told Charlie to escort me to their next meeting. Attending that meeting was a turning point for me because I left the meeting with hope for my future and a new found confidence for survival. Spending time with people living with IBD and ostomies convinced me that I too would wake up in the recovery room and learn to live my new life with an ostomy.
The UOA and the New London County Ostomy Association has been a positive influence in my life for twenty one years. Getting involved in these organizations have given me support and opportunities to make new friends, participate in years of mutual aid, and provided many opportunities to help other people in their quests for a successful recovery. Becoming a trained visitor for ostomy patients has been a rewarding experience that I strongly recommend to anyone interested in sharing their advice for successful recoveries.
Helping a new ostomate accept their ostomy not only helps the patient but helps their family. Walking out of their hospital room knowing that you have changed lives for the good is such a gratifying experience that I can't even find the words to describe the impact it will have on your life. |
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| As the co chair of the Teen Network, an ASG of the UOAA, I have enjoyed working with the UOAA membership to develop a support network for younger members who live with IBD and gastrointestinal and urinary diversions. This work has been a learning experience that came to me quite unexpectedly much like my experience as a Youth Rally counselor. Working with the Teens has become my passion and I hope to continue my work for many years to come. They are the future of our organization and will touch the lives of many people who will face similar medical changes. Friendships with the younger generation are so refreshing and enlightening. The youth give a perspective on life that rejuvenates the soul. |
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The professional help that I have received over the last twenty years has been essential to my return to good health. I have been blessed with excellent medical care and the ability to follow my doctor and nurses advice. Somewhere I found the courage and strength to be part of the team that dictated my future. Somehow I maintained my faith in God that nourished my spiritual life that enabled me to put my life in God's hands and trust that there was a survival plan in my future. Little did I know that my life would continue in many new directions that would include a whole new purpose for my life…a life for giving back for all the blessings that I had received. I encourage everyone to find a way to "give back" in some way because I have found that giving of yourself has been a wonderful healing experience that will touch your whole being. |
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| Presently we live in an age of technology and medical science that has provided us with more opportunities for better quality of life than we had even a few years ago. Numerous companies offer us an array of modern ostomy products designed to meet a variety of needs. Research scientists continue their work to find cures and to develop new medications to make our lives better. Modern medical technology has made diagnostic tests and surgeries less invasive making them easier to tolerate and recover from. New information is available on the internet and from a variety of support organizations. More people who are dealing with ostomy related diseases and surgeries are talking and asking for information. Sharing ideas and information about living with an ostomy is opening doors for all of us. Educating our communities about our diseases is suddenly becoming a focus and the stigma of IBD and ostomies is beginning to disappear. |
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| Our world is becoming a better place because of the increasing support available to the new ostomate. Don't be shy! Ask for help from your families, your friends, and the professionals in your life. Be good to yourself and take all the time you need to heal, take time to enjoy life, take time to congratulate yourself for accepting your challenges and moving on, and take time to thank all the "Angels" in your life. |
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