Did You Know The Guy Across The Street Has An Ostomy?
Chances are you don't even know what an ostomy is, but you are still likely to know someone who has had the procedure.
In fact, ostomies are one of the least talked about conditions in medicine, especially when you consider that over 500,000 in North America have it, yet no one speaks about it.
The reason for that is the nature of this condition.
An ostomy is a surgically created opening, known as stoma, on someone's belly through which people discharge their bodily waste.
A portion or the entire colon is surgically removed and the remaining intestine is brought to the abdominal wall.
Ostomates are required to wear a bag over their stoma in which the stool flows.
Depending on the type of ostomy, patients might have a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy.
Since the ostomy bag is usually hidden under the person's clothing, there is no immediate way of telling that a person has an ostomy.
Ostomates look just like anyone else, they have jobs just like anyone else, they participate in most of the ubiquitous activities a normal human being will do.
At this point, you would probably ask "So, what is the big deal with it then?" Well, this very secretive character of the ostomy condition could potentially create quite a problem.
Just imagine you are at a party and you meet someone you really like.
You go out on a few dates and discover that things go really well between both of you.
The big question pops: "How am I to tell him/her about my ostomy?" This is the kind of problem most of ostomates face quite often in their lives.
I recently stumbled upon an open letter sent by an ostomate to an online magazine.
Here is an abstract: 'I am a 23-year-old woman, finishing my last semester at college..
..
I have Crohn's disease and have had an ileostomy bag since I was 13.
In other words, I have no colon and I poop into a bag on my abdomen.
I almost died before this surgery was done, I was so ill..
...
As you can imagine, this is hard to talk about, especially with potential dating partners.
I have had long periods of time when I literally could not even look at my waist in a mirror..
...
You would think, after 10 years, I would know what to say, but it's never gotten any easier..
...
' I was so moved by this letter that I decided to do a little research about the condition on the internet.
Interestingly enough, I found quite a bit of information about it.
It seems like a well developed underground world.
There are ostomy organizations, local support groups and even a dating site for ostomates (www.
MeetAnOstoMate.
com).
This last one, I found quite interesting, since it is said to be the first and only one in North America.
So, do you know anyone with an ostomy? Chances are you do, but just don't know about it.
Next time you hear about it, don't be so grossed out.
Just take it as part of life or even better, as a potential life saver for you or someone you care about.
In fact, ostomies are one of the least talked about conditions in medicine, especially when you consider that over 500,000 in North America have it, yet no one speaks about it.
The reason for that is the nature of this condition.
An ostomy is a surgically created opening, known as stoma, on someone's belly through which people discharge their bodily waste.
A portion or the entire colon is surgically removed and the remaining intestine is brought to the abdominal wall.
Ostomates are required to wear a bag over their stoma in which the stool flows.
Depending on the type of ostomy, patients might have a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy.
Since the ostomy bag is usually hidden under the person's clothing, there is no immediate way of telling that a person has an ostomy.
Ostomates look just like anyone else, they have jobs just like anyone else, they participate in most of the ubiquitous activities a normal human being will do.
At this point, you would probably ask "So, what is the big deal with it then?" Well, this very secretive character of the ostomy condition could potentially create quite a problem.
Just imagine you are at a party and you meet someone you really like.
You go out on a few dates and discover that things go really well between both of you.
The big question pops: "How am I to tell him/her about my ostomy?" This is the kind of problem most of ostomates face quite often in their lives.
I recently stumbled upon an open letter sent by an ostomate to an online magazine.
Here is an abstract: 'I am a 23-year-old woman, finishing my last semester at college..
..
I have Crohn's disease and have had an ileostomy bag since I was 13.
In other words, I have no colon and I poop into a bag on my abdomen.
I almost died before this surgery was done, I was so ill..
...
As you can imagine, this is hard to talk about, especially with potential dating partners.
I have had long periods of time when I literally could not even look at my waist in a mirror..
...
You would think, after 10 years, I would know what to say, but it's never gotten any easier..
...
' I was so moved by this letter that I decided to do a little research about the condition on the internet.
Interestingly enough, I found quite a bit of information about it.
It seems like a well developed underground world.
There are ostomy organizations, local support groups and even a dating site for ostomates (www.
MeetAnOstoMate.
com).
This last one, I found quite interesting, since it is said to be the first and only one in North America.
So, do you know anyone with an ostomy? Chances are you do, but just don't know about it.
Next time you hear about it, don't be so grossed out.
Just take it as part of life or even better, as a potential life saver for you or someone you care about.
Source...