Learning Beyond the Basics in Our Community

We've exchanged so much information here and will continue.  We’ve gotten involved in some things we never imagined and had to “learn” our way through.  It’s all good if not great.  Sometimes though, I wonder if we don’t get all the questions we should.  Some newbies or not so newbies might be intimidated because we’re often addressing topics way beyond the very basics.  Heck, it seems like just a short time ago I needed step-by-step instructions to be able to handle the most fundamental tasks related to emptying, cleaning and changing my appliance without having a nervous breakdown.  Wow!  Suddenly I’m an expert; or maybe not.  I’m hoping folks ask ALL the questions they need to so they don’t have to accept discomfort, pain, odor, anxiety, depression and whatever could go with it.  It’s great to know there’s help for us and super great to be able to be a helper.

Respectfully,

Mike

Well said, Mike.

I agree entirely Mike! Perhaps your post should be on a loop system that gets repeated at regular intervals for any newcomers!

Best wishes

Bill

Thought provoking piece Mike. Well done.

Are all the questions that should be asked, actually asked?

Do ostomates need to be braver?...(if that's a word)

Are we too nervous to ask?

Like the little kid in primary school who doesn't want to be laughed at by his fellow pupils?

Does anyone have questions? And what about answers?

V.J.

Thanks for jumping in, guys. Time goes by so quickly and accelerates as we age. For me, it's easy to forget all the changes in the last 7 years. I struggled to get up the nerve to ask my first question. As a newbie, I felt like I was intruding on a network of bright, caring people who happened to be ostomates. I don't know where I would be if I hadn't found you folks.

Sincerely,

Mike

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Thanks Mike!  Great post and summary for the group!  Welcome all.  We help each other the best that we can.  Take care and thank you again.  LH

The old replies can also be found from a few yrs ago -- I know it helped to go over some of the old replies and questions when I first learned of this site -- it has been a Godsend to have everyone able to help and share

Hi All,    Well said Mike,    I have my ostomy for over 50 years, and went through all the changes ....in products available. 

And still, although I'm confident that what I'm using is "the best " for me, I read posts with interest, and actually find new

updates....that I am willing to try.   Who said " old dogs, can't learn new tricks".  Great post....and for the newbies, all of us "old timers",

remember what it was like to be uncertain as to what and who to ask.  This is the place to be....so jump right in and ask...or greet, or share.

Hi Marsha.  Great message and thank you for your uplifting posts.  Take care.  LH

Our stomas make us different from others and different from before.  In some cases we’re better.  Maybe the pain is gone.  Some get to see a real world outside the bathroom.  Maybe I’m naive but I really believe we can all be pretty darn good and fix any of the crap that bothers us about our body modifications.  I don’t believe we have to accept constant or frequent discomfort or pain.  Our emotional status improves as we get better physically.  Our emotional status gets way better when we accept where we are, recognize how well we’ve done and start looking forward to our tomorrows.

As we know “Necessity is the mother of invention”.  Lots of us have learned little tricks to make us better and those tricks might be just what someone else needs for his or her situation.

I’m thankful for all of us and look forward to others becoming a part of this.

Mike

Me too Mike!  Thank you for your posts!  LH

The more folks ask the more I learn. It is quite amazing that so many of us have found a common ground to stand on and willing to share information that is here to help anyone now and in the future. To not of met each other in the flesh, but to know each other in our troubles and help each other through them.

I think that is why we all keep stopping in, we remember how we felt and want others to know how to get through it too
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Absolutely.

Newbies must be recruited and encouraged to ask what they fear to ask. No one will laugh at you here. No question is a stupid question. We have all been there.

Pros must be recruited to reply and reassure (and sometimes also learn!)

If only site was more user friendly lol!