DO OR DIE.
Stomas often answers why
the choice is there twixt do or die
for when your life hangs in the air
there’s little choice between the pair.
When people present as unwell,
sometimes it’s very hard to tell
what does or does not need to be
when thinking of an ostomy.
But when bodies are an open book
the surgeons get a closer look
and sometimes need to make the choice
though patients may not have a voice.
Sometimes decisions must be made
by surgeons, who are rightly paid
to make these judgements whilst inside
our bodies, where stuff tends to hide.
Sometimes patients are not aware
of all the problems lurking there
prior to their operation
so, afterwards, there’s lamentation.
The learning curve is pretty steep
if patients wake up from their sleep
to find a stoma on their tum
replacing their once-functioning bum.
To see stomas for the first time
presents a whole new paradigm
and if this comes as a big shock
it can be an emotional knock.
Patients need patience with this thing
and benefits that it can bring,
so, if they can hang on a while
it can be worth that extra mile.
Then, when they start to question why
they may well ponder ‘do or die’.
B. Withers 202
