Dublin Support Coffee Morning for Ostomates

Hi, just want to let the Irish members know that there is a support coffee morning on at Moran's Red Cow Inn, Red Cow Roundabout, Dublin, on Saturday the 30th of June from 10:30 to 12:30 AM. I had a letter from Tallaght Hospital to tell me about the meeting. There is very little support for ostomates in Ireland, so I hope people see this and attend. I tried to put it on the classified ads but couldn't, so I hope to meet a few members there, Sinead

There is a new Lady on O-Land, my main support group from Ireland, that is really struggling with her new life with her ostomy, and we're all trying to do all we can to lift her spirits. -I'll have to PM her and see if she's close to Dublin. :)

Hi, I know the feeling. I'm struggling with both my ostomies and would love to get to know people in Ireland for support. I live in Dublin, so maybe you could put us in touch. Thank you, Sinead.

If you are looking for more support for your medical issues, I suggest going over to Ostomyland. The guy who started the group over 10 years ago is from Britain, so a large percentage of the members are from the UK, and I know there are a good number from Ireland. A majority of the people on here are first and foremost looking to meet singles, being that it's run like a dating site. So, even though you can get some good advice and support here, you can get better support in other places and not have to deal with guys who are more interested in chatting with single ladies than being supportive.

If you Google IA Support Group, it's a UK ostomy support group that has been going for over 50 years. You can email or call their head office; they have trained ostomy visitors that they can put you in touch with. I'm sure they will have someone near you.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Thanks for the tip. I just had a look at the letter sent to me by the hospital about the coffee morning, and it is the IA support group who are organizing the meeting on Saturday. It's a relief to know that there will be people to talk to and relate with. Hopefully, I can begin to open up to people again. Any support anyone can give will be gladly accepted. Thanks again for the reply, Sinead.

I received my ostomy over 16 years ago - and the internet was very new, and home computers were not yet affordable for all households, so I went nearly 5 years with only my parents and nurse for support. So when I was able to finally get on the internet and found the quickly growing network of support sites for ostomy and IBD, it totally changed my life and gave me hope once again. You can't get any better support than from others who have dealt with or are dealing with all the same things you are :)

Actually, I think this is a meet-and-ostomy dating site - but to be honest, I have made friends and not met too many creeps either. I would suggest meeting on that site you were given though. Cheers! Our local hospitals in Australia have local groups; maybe your hospital could help. Just a thought :)

Hi Sinead, I really didn't know you had so little support across there in Dublin. Here in Sligo, we have a wonderful network and a monthly meeting along with days out. Having this site has been wonderful for me and I really don't know how I would have been otherwise. I've had wonderful support here. Don't be afraid to join in any of the topics. Take good care, Colm

Thanks a million, Colm. Yeah, I haven't heard of any support groups here in Dublin except the coffee morning held last Saturday at the Red Cow, and I was too sick to go. It would be nice to talk to people in the same position as us here in Dublin.
Sinead

Gosh that was bad luck not being well on the day of the meeting! I'll enquire if anyone at my local meetings knows of any in Dublin. Take good care, Colm

Hi Colm,
Thanks, that would be great. I've been in and out of the hospital with an obstruction and now have kidney problems. How have you been?
Love, Sinead