March/April 2008
Page 6
Thoughts From a Colostomate
I've had a colostomy for more than seven years, but I can still remember that day when I thought my surgeon's visit was only to ‘rescue me from that bowl of salt-less mushroom soup'. That was until he said something like "I'd like to do some exploring". Before I could get off my "Dr. Livingston, I presume" line, he explained the bad news/good news features. Even though surgery was indicated there was a possibility he might find nothing. Because I am a person of much faith, he proceeded with my carte blanche surgery and about three days later I realized I had a "rosebud" for life. Now one of the mixed blessings about this scenario was that there was no time for a pre-op education about that brand new word to my vocabulary - colostomy. But then the REAL good news came, my E.T. nurse and my ostomy visitor from Metro Maryland, Margaret Proctor, bless her soul, undoubtedly labeled me her worst patient, and with just cause, I might add. I was a slow learner, wallowed in all kind of self pity, and physically felt as badly as was my comprehension of this whole new system. BUT, she didn't give up on me, thank goodness! And though my role as host left a lot to be desired, the visitors from the Ostomy Association didn't give up on me either. They tolerated me, sympathized with me, and left me some very helpful literature. Now it took me a while to feel comfortable talking with others about a colostomy. But finally, I felt quite good about visiting other patients, offering support, extending an open ear, and sharing information I've gained from experience. You know, there seems to be as many different colostomies, and how to handle them, as there are persons who have them. No two of us are the same, although we are so much ALIKE we can learn a great deal from sharing with each other. There's a perspective that only "one who's been there" can convey. AND SHARING IS CARING. A few hours of my week are volunteered to help out in the Ostomy Association office which our Metro Maryland volunteers are so dedicated to running well. There's such a volume of paperwork - membership information, mailing lists, the many steps in preparing the newsletter for distribution, preparation for conferences, such as this one, and many, many more details that are necessary to the efficient operation and ultimate usefulness of the whole operation. It requires a lot of time from a lot of people. Another helping hand is most welcome. My message is, I suppose, that when you see a ‘Dr. Livingston type' approaching with a scalpel and magnifying glass in hand and exploration in his eyes, check out his back-up facilities (E. T. nurse) and the follow-up and follow-on support (Ostomy Association visitor) because they'll probably help you as much as the surgery itself. And then YOU in turn can help others - and so on. That's what the Ostomy Association - and indeed, life, is all about.
SOURCE: Greater Cincinnati Chapter; The Re-Route on-line, Evansville, IN February 2008, via Inside Out On-line Mar/Apr 08.
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