Christmas Presents: The Good, Bad, and Ugly Stories

Ok, thought I'd start a thread on Christmas presents - what have been the worst ever, the best, and the most useful, especially if they relate to becoming an ostomate!

My best ever was my Harley - it gets me out and about in all weathers and enables me, now that my mobility is restricted, to walk my dogs.

My most useful this year is a 2ft high spring-loaded pooper scooper, which means that I do not have to bend to pick up the parcels my darling Compton has left me on my patio!

My worst presents tend to come from an aged Auntie - who is recycle mad and sends presents from charity shops etc., and keeps hoards of presents in a damp area of her house, so they always whiff a bit! We've had bright tan-colored tights, earrings for pierced ears for my girls when they had no pierced ears, weird little ornaments, and all sorts over the years. This year I was asked what I would like - I gave her a book title and got it, and my girls got a pashmina each, which were very nice - something's afoot! (maybe my cousins did the shopping??)

My GP this year wrote a script for me to get a stoma cup and belt for showering in - so I will include that in my most useful ostomy present list!

Anyway, thought it might be fun!

Rach xxx

Rach,
Do you have snow tires for that thing? I have a snowmobile for weather like that.

I got a Nook e-book, which is pretty cool. The e-book prices are way better than buying the hardcover when they first come out.

I really haven't got a bad Christmas present. I got a flashlight once and thought, "What the hell is this?" It turned out to be one of the better presents as I am still using it.

Thanks for reminding me that I didn't get Sally Stoma anything for Christmas but some extra output. She's spoiled anyway with a Shower Gard, Ostomy Armor, hernia belts of all shapes and sizes, and flanges, bags from the 3 majors. I guess I could get her a fancy bag cover if I could find a manly one, maybe black leather or chain mesh... There's an idea, designer bags instead of ugly transparent or brown ones. I can see it now... Oh that, it's just my colostomy bag, but don't worry, it's a Gucci.

It's all about the giving anyway.
Mike

Hey Mike - there are lots of designer pouch covers out there - have a look at the classifieds!

No - Harley doesn't have any snow tires - but does pretty well except in thick gloopy mud and slush, then it struggles a bit! Goes best on ice actually, that's pretty good fun! Got that on because it doesn't look like your average mobility scooter! (Not quite ready for the maroon 4 mph pavement scooters yet!)

Rach xxxx

I was thinking designer ostomy bags, then we wouldn't have to pay more for a cover. Just put it on the flange and go! You must forgive me as I think up some strange stuff, but it keeps me laughing/amused.
Mike

Love the bike, Rach, I want one
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. Lol. What's this about a cup and belt?

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Might not have to pay more for the cover....but bet you would have to pay more for the bags...and they already cost out the wazoo.   Hahaha.....you are forgiven...but no woman would find it easy to change and throw out a designer "bag" as often as it seems to become necessary....seems like that would make a bad job even tougher for some of us  

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Keep thinking....and laughing.......no telling what you will come up with.


Good luck, Shelia

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Ha! Mike - you confused me there, but I have to admit that it is not too difficult to do that nowadays! I just blame the drugs...!

Maggie - the stoma cup is like a cricket box really, or a codpiece I suppose you could liken it to as well... It is for protecting the stoma, but also if you have an ileostomy, you can stick some tissue in it then you can shower in it without it getting all over the place, you know those situations when you need a third hand!

You can see one here -

http://www.whiterosecollection.com/acatalog/Accessories.html

Mine is a bit more substantial - got this one with the belt as I could get it on prescription, but it does the same thing!

http://www.ostomartstore.co.uk/acatalog/Prescription_Products_To_Buy.html

Rach xxx

Wow - that's a great bike!



Honestly, I tend to remember the great gifts and quickly forget the bad ones. But one thing I can tell you is that I too have a relative who usually gives gifts which are out of her own closet, stained, smelly, etc. Every year I get something from her, and feign gratitude and surprise, but really I just feel like I wish she wouldn't bother.



It's true that it's the thought which counts - but this rule wouldn't apply if there was *no* thought at all that went into the process of gift giving.



This year the coolest (and most extravagant) gift I received was a new Dior handbag from Tyler. I nearly DIED when I got it. Seriously.



Another awesome present came from my mother and father, who bought a shop vac for me! I know, I know - not exactly a fun gift, but it was desperately needed and those things are not cheap, so I sincerely appreciated it.



I hope everyone else fared as well as me over the holidays!



Liz

This was not "to" me... but "to" my mom. I took my son "shopping" for a few people and let him pick out what he wanted to buy them. He bought my mother a dog that sings Jingle Bells, and its ears flip up when it sings. He thought it was the best gift in the world, and he wanted to get it for Rosie. No matter what I said, he held firm, and she, of course, was "thrilled" with it like any good grandma.
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Shelia

Aww ... well, that's what good grandmas do! How sweet!

xx

Hahaha......I just had a thought....if I remember right your Compton bears more than a slight resemblance to the Jingle Bell Rock dog.  Does he do modeling on the side?  Have you noticed his ears flipping up lately?  That fella has all kinds of hidden talents!  Shelia

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Hi Sheila - yep, this is him practising for his Christmas performances in person!

My wife wanted a string of pearls for Christmas, but they were way too expensive, so I went with Plan B. I gave her 2 oysters and a roll of string, and told her to figure it out from there.

Extra baggage
You are very cruel

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For Christmas, my mother got me a Pandora charm to celebrate the life-saving aspects of Tomi, my colostomy. It's supposed to be a breast cancer charm, but she adapted it to my circumstances.

See it here
http://www.mememeaccessories.com/products/4242-pandora-breast-cancer-amulet-charm-790522

It is a beautiful charm, and Mum engraved one half of the charm with TOMI and the other half with the date of my operation, 11/11/2010.

It is one of the best presents I have ever had.
She says she thinks Tomi is a blessing for saving my life and wanted to get something for me as an acknowledgment of his gift to me.

How utterly wonderful!


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  Very cool, like those Pandora charm bracelets (just checking my spelling) xx Mare. I got a new laptop for Christmas; got it in August, LOL

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That is a PERFECT gift! Wow, it's awesome that your mother was so perceptive and thoughtful in choosing such a gift for you. It would seem that she feels precisely the same way that I feel about my husband, Tyler's, ostomy. Thank God for these awkward surgical creations! Ostomies help to bring those who we love so much back to us in better health and with a less painful future.

Hmmm...the best Christmas presents used to always be the things children would make for me when I was teaching years ago, and the cute things made by friends' children, everything from crayon drawings to noodle necklaces, lmao. Seriously, they always touched my heart, or things that friends would do for me to help me out, helping hand sort of stuff. The most useful gift thus far is the new laptop this year, woohoo!! I can't really remember a worst except perhaps some of the undies Mum gave me, but we tease about it, lol. Mum still buys me the same style panties she did when I was a little girl, with all the little girly flowers and teddies and things on them, LOL. (Peeks into her sweatpants) But I do wear them sometimes, heheee
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Wish I had read this before I ordered one from White Rose and had to pay for it. Didn't know I could get it on prescription. But that was one of my Christmas presents to myself - glad to hear that it helps. I also got myself some intimacy knickers (from White Rose) - being hopeful and if the situation should arise I will be prepared.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Marge

Nice

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Hello All: As for Christmas presents, last year my eight-year-old grandson bought me a very large, homely, handbag. He was so excited about it as he had purchased it with his own money and picked it out himself. I was thrilled, of course. Actually, it has turned out to be a great gift as it is big enough to hold three days' worth of "supplies" and a change of undies, as well as my wallet, my cell phone, and a medicine and makeup kit. Terrific gift.
C Cogan

If there are no socks and underwear, it's just not Xmas

I hope ExtraBaggage was just kidding about what he got his wife, else I think we should throw him overboard ;D



The best Christmas present this year was getting to spend an entire seven days with just my daughter (now 24 years old) in a vintage hotel in San Francisco.  We did touristy stuff and "insider" stuff and it was all wonderful.



What happened to that sometimes awful adolescent?  She has become a beautiful, sweet and loving adult woman who is great company, but still wants to make roll-out Christmas cookies - only now MOM does the decorating!  

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My oldest son gave my wife a wind chime that he made, and my second oldest son made me a shooting box with the family crest on the lid. The youngest son made homemade candies and chocolates for the grandkids and adults. One of the most memorable Christmases I can remember.
Cheers, Bob

Rach

Thank you for explaining about stoma cups and including the link. I just ordered one for myself from a US company (to save on currency conversion and shipping charges). I am looking forward to showering with both hands very soon. That will be a great belated X-mas present to myself (and Stella, my stoma).

Karenand Stella

Maggie - the stoma cup is like a cricket box really, or a codpiece I suppose you could liken it to as well. It is for protecting the stoma, but also if you have an ileostomy, you can stick some tissue in it then you can shower in it without it getting all over the place, you know those situations when you need a third hand!

You can see one here -

http://www.whiterosecollection.com/acatalog/Accessories.html

Mine is a bit more substantial - got this one with the belt as I could get it on prescription but does the same thing!

http://www.ostomartstore.co.uk/acatalog/Prescription_Products_To_Buy.html

Rach xxx