Looking for Friends in Miami, FL to Talk About Health Challenges

I had my loop ileostomy since May 13th, 2021. I was supposed to have a reversal in November 2021, but for some reason, it became hard for me to ambulate well, so the doctors said I have to be able to walk to go to the bathroom before I can get a reversal. I'm 400+ lbs. It has gotten harder to move around; it feels like something is wrong on that right side. Stuck in the house with no one to talk to about this, so it's very depressing. My boyfriend is not sympathetic. Looking for a friend or friends close by in the Miami, FL area. I lost my Medicaid and am trying to appeal. I ran out of supplies. It is really not good with me, but I am coping.

 

I'd say you need to seek professional help about the weight issue to get it under control, and I'd guess all your other issues will get better by fixing that.

Sorry to hear you're going through so much. Check with Ostomy211.org, your local hospital, or find a local ostomy support group through uoaa.org. They may have supplies available and lots of other support.

Good luck. I will be praying for you!

Ouch, dude. Maybe check your spelling.

There will be a lot of encouragement from this community. As you mentioned, you have surgery being put off possibly due to health issues which need addressing first. There are also organizations designed to help get you your needed supplies.

Check into those places.

There is hope and help coming, kiddo.

 

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

🤓 I'm usually pretty good with my grammar skills. What did I misspell? 🤷‍♂️

Hello,

Sorry to hear about the tough battle you're having. But the first major health problem you need to get serious about is weight loss. 400+ is dangerous, especially if reversal surgery is something you really want. I would recommend gastric bypass and counseling. Weight loss requires both for long-term success.

All ostomy supply companies offer free samples; call them for details. You can find them by searching on the internet for ostomy supplies. Local hospitals might have ostomy supplies to help you get by.

You're in charge of your life. Getting reversal surgery will not help you in the long term. You need to get to a healthy weight.

Many ostomates on this website have endured extreme health problems. Many faced death. Yet they survived by being tough, going through horrible surgeries, and for a lot of them, faith in God.

Choose to get better.

Misspelled? Or misspelt? Both are correct. It depends on which version of English you are using, American or British.

Hello, welcome to the group. Not everyone is tactful… but sometimes tough love and downright honesty will hit home. Losing weight could be a good start. Not all of us go through chemo and radiation due to cancer and lose weight (that's how I lost my weight, no appetite and had to force myself to eat).

I say… one day at a time, try to lose weight, give up breads or things made with flour, or count calories. Whatever works for you.

Think hard about reversal surgery. I thought I would rather be dead than have a bag… well, cancer kept coming back, so being reattached was not an option any longer. If I had a choice of diapers or a bag, I would want a bag… just sayin.

I wish you well regardless. This group is made up of all kinds of people. We all care, we all have a story to tell as well. Be blessed, Linda.

Good morning!

Sorry you are having such a rough time. I agree with what everyone has said, weight is a big factor for you, but I also realize that it's difficult to lose weight when you have limited mobility, and this makes it a double-edged sword. Start with avoiding all white foods/drinks - so sugar, bread, rice, potato, etc., because all that is a carb which equals weight gain. Force yourself to get up and move, even if it's to the mailbox and back, and work your stamina up from there. If you're diabetic or pre-diabetic, some of the medications may help with weight loss as well.

Since you've lost your Medicaid coverage, you may want to consider a Social Security disability application, but this takes a long time. And the local support groups and supply companies for samples and extra supplies like others have said.

Please find a mental health provider to help you and see if there are any local support groups you could attend. Church may be another option that would help you connect with faith, community, and support.

And, if the boyfriend isn't supportive, then maybe you two need to have a serious talk about what you both need/want and if this is a healthy relationship for you both.

And of course, this community on your screen is always here for our fellow ostomates.

I wish you well and will be praying for you!

Kim

If I was you I would check your manners, if I was Alex I would tell you go F yourself. Regards a very pissed off IGGIE

Way to go, Iggie. Once again, someone says something against your beliefs, and you go all aggressive. Nice job.

Still praying for you, man.

Geez, guys. Really, you think she doesn't know 90% of what you're saying and it's not thrown in her face on a daily basis? You guys have been in this battle longer and better than anyone! We can do better!

Good morning Patricia, I am happy you found the courage to post. We all may express ourselves in different ways, but we are here for you and only wish you success. Feel free to message me.

I hear you, man. @C plumber...

It's called tact... having tact.

One can say something in reply without it being offensive.

The poster felt it necessary to mention her weight... a specific weight too. So I am in awe of her courage to step up like that. It's a difficult post to answer on an ostomy site...

I have not seen any other posts like this with weight issues... so my reply, I felt, was in kind.

Make sure the mind is engaged before the mouth opens...

We all mean well intentions. Some sugarcoat. Others don't.

Hi Patricia - I'm particularly concerned about your supplies issue. I'm so sorry to hear that in this country in 2024 you can't get supplies. I thought everyone could get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Please look into it! I can't imagine what you must be going through without supplies.
Have you tried stretching exercises? You have to be diligent, and once you get that down, then you can add chair exercises and walking in place exercises. There's a lot on YouTube for free.

Good luck and remember that you always have a friend in Jesus.

E&I

I don't see anything wrong with speaking the truth! Sometimes the truth hurts. Any physician or healthcare professional would have said the same thing.

"Sometimes the truth hurts"? That's novel. Albeit true.

However, the poster who obviously must have heard logic, common sense, and truth, was not asking professionals. She was asking potential friends with an ostomy.

I don't see her replying. 😳 No replies from her on my end, but this phone is a p.o.s. 🤦‍♂️

I have been unable to comment in a week. The site wasn't allowing me that, just to read. WTF?? And today it allows me to post.

Now... I only see part of the original post, not others who may have replied, so forgive me if the o.p. did reply. My bad.

I don't see it and because of that, I say this, "she ran off, got disappointed, turned away" because there was no empathy or tact found here. That's what truly hurts all of us. Be in her shoes for a day.

Moments later... oh snap, S.O.B.

Now I can see everyone who replied, and I do not see Patricia replying. Boom.

Since I might be correct in my reply above about her leaving without a trace, I say this: nice job, folks!

I have been having the same issues as you, Tony, with replying. I haven't seen any replies from Patricia either.

A bit of a run-on sentence. However, CPlummer may have taken issue with you confronting her weight/mental health issues. 400 lbs is not just morbidly obese. She is in a deep, dark place. It brings a plethora of other health issues. Prayer and socializing will help.

Hi... yeah, it's strange. This site undergoes updates and upgrades without notice.

One full week I could not leave a comment or reply... just read posts.

I felt deaf-mute. Sons of beeswax!

Being nice helps too. 👍

I take no offense to what anyone says, I'm not even sure how this got all twisted around. 🤷‍♂️ I may have said it bluntly, which I've been known to do, but my point was that fixing the extreme overweight issue would help all the other issues.

I know I need to do something with my weight, but I carried my weight well until I got 9 surgeries on my right thigh. Then I had an accident, got a broken femur on my left leg, and now I'm recovering from a fib/tib on the same left leg. So my legs are weak along with these other things going on. It's just not easy...

...Good to have you chime in. Stick around. Reply when you need to.

Patricia, you do the best you can. Take one day at a time. Your legs heal, and you'll be just fine. Hugs, Linda

Hey. I haven't left... just coping with my situation. My weight is a problem to a certain extent.

Hey Alex, I got the goody box... I appreciate it so much. I can use them all, and I'm set for a while. So thank you very much. I'm trying to find the lady but can't find her post... can you post her name for me? I think it was Kas or Linda. I'm sorry, I'm trying to navigate through these texts, but I can't see the post. Again 🙏🏽 ♥️

I found her... Thanks again.

You're welcome. Hopefully, those few boxes will get you through so you can find a more permanent solution. Make sure to thank Kas a bunch. Have a good day.