A year later. What I lost but gained

Replies
41
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849
Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 6:44 pm

It's been a year since I started what would be the worst 2 months I have ever experienced. My diverticulitis flared up and IBS was on overdrive. Add to that a very stressful job, weekly doctor visits, a myriad of medications, and hospital stays. Unfathomable pain, mental exhaustion, panic attacks, and anxiety, I was the quintessential hot mess!

Nothing worked, I was not living, merely existing. Take me to October 26, 2023, and I wake up with a colostomy and not a happy camper at all!

What a journey this has been. I fought through one of the darkest times mentally and physically. It took 3 months before I got to the point where I could go out and experience life. 6 months later, I was donning a bathing suit and heading to the pool with my grandkids.

Not an easy journey, not one I would wish on anyone, and yes, I woke up and gained what I feared most, a colostomy.

BUT

I lost so much more

I lost my self-doubt—I can make it through anything.

I lost my loathing of my body—it's keeping me alive.

I lost my inhibitions—you have to when you talk about poop and stuff.

I lost my fear of the unknown—life happens whether you worry or not.

I lost a stressful job—I have an awesome one now.

I lost pain—once healed, I am no longer doubled over crying every day.

I can honestly say life is indeed good, I just had to have mine shaken and stirred quite a bit to finally get it. I don't let a day go by that I'm not grateful for the opportunity of living.

 

Bill
Sep 12, 2024 8:29 pm

Well said!

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TerryLT
Sep 12, 2024 8:51 pm

What a great post Nini!  You have indeed gained much through all those things you lost!  You should be very proud of yourself.

Terry

Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 9:08 pm
Reply to Bill

From a wordsmith such as yourself, that means a lot.

Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 9:09 pm
Reply to TerryLT

Thank you Terry!  We all have a lot to be proud of. 😊

 

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

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Justbreathe
Sep 12, 2024 9:24 pm

Great post and thanks for sharing…good to hear for those of us who have been on here a while and especially helpful to any new folks coming to this site for help or healing thoughts! jb

Andrew82
Sep 12, 2024 9:26 pm

Love it! Keep up the positivity! Life is full of ups and downs; we have to make the most of the ups :)

CrappyColon
Sep 12, 2024 9:53 pm

I appreciate how you didn’t sugarcoat how hard different times in our journeys can be, and then your contrast of finding thankfulness during/through/on this side of it is really beautiful 💜

Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 10:27 pm
Reply to Justbreathe

Thank you!

Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 10:28 pm
Reply to Andrew82

Thank you! 

Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 10:28 pm
Reply to CrappyColon

Thank you!

Axl
Sep 12, 2024 11:10 pm

There you go Nini

Words of wisdom.

Nini4
Sep 12, 2024 11:53 pm
Reply to Axl

Thank you!

Ziploc
Sep 13, 2024 2:57 am

You are truly an inspiration! Thank you for this beautiful post. 
I had a long day of chemo today and your words are such a help. I hope to find my silver lining too. 
Maybe this is part of a magazine piece? I expect you are already a writer. 

AlexT
Sep 13, 2024 5:11 am

Great way to look at the last year and look at things with a positive mindset. 👍 Congrats.

Beachboy
Sep 13, 2024 5:55 am

Thanks for posting your experience Nini.   You and many others here on MaO inspire me to keep my chin up and carry on.

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 11:21 am
Reply to Ziploc

Thank you for your kind words. A dear friend is going through chemo right now and she has bad days and it makes me feel for her .

I'm not a published writer, but I always wanted to be. I had a teacher in 5th grade who nurtured my love of writing and it's stuck ever since.

Sending thoughts full of silver linings your way!

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 11:22 am
Reply to AlexT

Thank you!

 

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 11:23 am
Reply to Beachboy

Thank you! We are all inspiring.  I echo your thoughts, many here are the reason I accepted my fate as quickly as I did.

 We are a great group of people for sure!!

ron in mich
Sep 13, 2024 1:16 pm

Hi Nini thanks for a positive story to read this morning.

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 1:20 pm
Reply to ron in mich

😊

eefyjig
Sep 13, 2024 2:04 pm

Beautifully articulated, Nini! You've reached the goal that we all seek to attain: acceptance, gratitude, growth and the ability to thrive. We have to get through the muck in order to get to this point but it's such a relief when we get there. Thanks for sharing; it's so good for all of us to hear!

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 2:31 pm
Reply to eefyjig

Thank you!

Jayne
Sep 13, 2024 2:40 pm

Nini

 

"...... shaken and stirred quite a bit to finally get it."

I don't let a day go by that I'm not grateful for the opportunity of living."

 

So true

 

We can be richer and gratefulness is a much underrated easement.....

 

Your life is worth sharing - thank you so much for posting here!

 

Hugs

 

Jayne

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 3:52 pm
Reply to Jayne

Thank you!

IGGIE
Sep 13, 2024 4:05 pm

G-Day Nini4, Everyone loves a happy ending and yours is a 100% success. I am so happy for you to be in that position for you to be able to tick all the boxes. Well done and enjoy life; you have more than deserved it. Regards, IGGIE

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 5:44 pm
Reply to IGGIE

Thank you and good day to you too!

DG
Sep 13, 2024 7:44 pm
Reply to Bill

Keeping a positive attitude is the best medicine!! 

Nini4
Sep 13, 2024 9:15 pm
Reply to DG

Yes, indeed !

Morning glory
Sep 14, 2024 1:24 pm

Nina, beautifully written. I can certainly relate. You are the perfect example of making lemonade from life throwing lemons at you.