May 2008
Page 1
From a Urostomate
I am a Urostomate. Since I became an Urostomate April 2007, I have learned that life really does go on. The doctor took my bladder, prostate, and all of my urethra, due to cancer. When I had my operation, I thought my life was over, but I soon learned that I could still do many things like snowmobiling, ATV'ing, swimming at the public pool, or going to Mexico and swimming in the ocean and laying around the pool without the need to cover up because my pouch is highly visible. People would look at me, look at the pouch swaying as I walked by, and then look away. So what! The pouch is part of me now and I am not ashamed of it as I thought I might have been last April.
I became a member of the Winnipeg Ostomy Association before my operation and I was able to get some insight from other members. I saw that there are many in the same situation as I am in. The WOA meetings, are, in my mind; a social club of your peers; a learning experience; a place to talk about problems that you may have; or listen to questions presented to the ET on the hot seat. The WOA newsletter and the Ostomy Canada magazine are wonderful publications which are a great source of information. I am surprised though, that more Ostomates do not attend the meetings to find out what they are missing.
Ion Parrish
Ion Parrish is a member of the Winnipeg Ostomy Association.
Via Inside Out On-line May 2008
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