OK, it's 3:00 am, and I can't sleep for one reason or another, maybe because my brain was programmed to wake up at 3:00 am from all those years of Crohn's attacks... or maybe because the big guy is snoring and talking in his sleep... "Yes... can I get a jar of mayo to go with my two-pound heart attack on a bun?? SNORE!!, and an extra straw too.....SNORE!!...no, ha ha, the extra straw is for the jar of mayo....SNORE!!!" As I lay in my bed listening to my roommates babbling in their sleep, I start to think about the Meet an Ostomate site and saying to myself, out loud of course. I mean, they're yapping in their sleep, I figure I should try to fit in... if all the people in the world who have ostomies of one kind or another joined up on this site it would be an awesome achievement, first of all, but let's kick it up a notch, we would be like... a secret society!! A world where only ostomates could go to get away from all the problems and chaos of the world in general...an oasis!! A place where there were no people to judge you, or look at you funny because your bag is peeking from under your clothes. Folks who would say "Hello friend!" and shake your hand, or pat you on your back. Wouldn't that be awesome!!.. I could see it now, we would have our own country, let's say we could find a nice-sized island somewhere, chase out the "normal" people who live there, and claim it as our land...we could call it "Stomaville" or "Ostotropolis" the only way you can get into our country was by having an ostomy...of course, our immediate family members would be there with us, we would "grandfather" them into the society, so they would not be left behind with THOSE people...
We would set up our own government, our own infrastructure, have our own businesses for ostomates only...set up our own medical insurance, where everybody contributed a portion of their paychecks to a general fund to pay for treatments and new research. It would be a caring and nurturing environment, where no one would be denied treatment because of pre-existing illness...We would be a people who would be happy and healthy, and never have to worry again about what folks said about us... we would be self-sufficient...and kind to each other because we all shared a common condition...........then I wake up!!
I look around and see that I'm still stuck in rehab, and my roomies are still sleeping, and mumbling to themselves... I get up and head to the oval office, to give my "contribution", then I head back to bed, as I get ready to plop in bed I see the orange line across the eastern horizon, signaling the start of another day. As I stand there looking out my room window, I see a new day with a fresh start... new ideas, new chances to maybe get things done that you could not finish..., a chance to maybe correct the mistakes you made the day before... a fresh chance to maybe make amends with someone who hurt you with a cruel word... or something you said to them... give your children a big hug that you didn't give them yesterday, because you were running late...as I crawl back under the covers I think about the ostomate utopia I made up in my head, and I think to myself... quietly this time, that I already have that place, it lives inside of me, and it lives inside of you, and everyone who has an ostomy... all you have to do is believe in it, believe in yourself!! Do good things for other people, or for your family, let them and others see that you're not wallowing in self-pity, but you can do the things you used to do, but this time you are more driven to see things through till the end... now I'm not saying you have to be superhuman and push yourself to do things till you fall over and break something...it's the little things you do for others that people will remember!! The kind word of encouragement, a simple smile! People will notice...and it will make you feel good as well, that's what it's all about!!! ~DG44~
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First off, this is a pretty cool site with 37,406 members who truly understand you.
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Many come here for advice or to give advice, others have found good friends, and some have even found love. Most importantly, people here are honest and genuinely care.
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37,406 members
Thanks, Dg, what a great thought! I too often find a place in my mind where we're all together and living well! The one part of the blog that stuck out to me
{you are more driven to see things through till the end!} I realized that is what I lack! DRIVE!
I have to admit that I use my illness sometimes as a crutch! Not really proud of it, but... I have! If things aren't going well in the past, I would chalk it up to saying things like... Oh, I'm too sick today!..and..people will understand if I don't show up; they know I'm sick & I'm not going to try because I just end up sick anyway!...I stopped believing in myself!
But...with friends like you and everyone here, I now have the power to believe in myself...because you all believe in me! Traci40
Follow our 9-point hospital discharge checklist.
DGuy, Stomaville, what a fantastic concept, buddy. An ostomies' garden of zen where compassion, understanding, and true friendship rule. No alienation at all, but acceptance. You have made us all aware of the common bond that binds us together. I award you 1000 points, DGuy, for being the shining example of the above qualities.
I hereby declare you the official mayor of Stomaville. Thank you, your honor. Zepp.
Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
