Hello ostomates!
I'm new to this site but it's very refreshing to see all the people on here who have experienced the same things as me. For my New Year's resolution, I have decided to start being more honest with myself. I'm 24 years old and have an ileostomy! There, I feel better already! Well, I guess here is my story. I was born with cloacal and bladder exstrophy. If you don't know what this is, the best way I can describe it is that when you're born, some of your intestines, colon, and sometimes bladder (like in my case) are on the outside of your body and have not developed properly. I was helicoptered to the University of Michigan hospital and was there for about 3 months until I got to come home. The doctors made me a permanent ileostomy, and I also had bladder reconstruction surgery and have to catheterize. Throughout my life, I've had many surgeries, and for the last 12 years, my surgery has been mostly vaginal reconstruction surgery so I could have sex normally. And this summer, I had surgery to take out a blockage in my kidney.
I have led a very normal life with tons of friends and a great family, but for some reason, I have always hidden this part of me from my friends. I feel like I'm in a place in my life right now where I'm very comfortable in my own skin. I've been doing lots of online research, and it's nice to see a group like this.
I know I'm going to meet some fantastic people on here, and if anybody has any questions for me, I've had my ostomy forever, so maybe I can help you out :)
Why Join MeetAnOstoMate?
First off, this is a pretty cool site with 33,889 members. Get inside and you will see.
It's not all about ostomy. Everything is being discussed.
Many come here for advice or to give advice 🗣, others have found good friends 🤗, and there are also those who have found love 💓. Most of all, people are honest and truly care.
Privacy is very important - the website has many features that are only visible to members.
Create an account and you will be amazed.
Advertisement
Hollister
We conducted a survey to better understand the impact that living with an ostomy has on sleep.
Learn the results of our ostomy sleep survey.
Learn the results of our ostomy sleep survey.
Advertisement
Hollister
We sat down with two influential people in the ostomy community, to find out how they cope during challenging times.
Read what they had to say.
Read what they had to say.