November 2007
Page 3

• Use white towels, bleach is great!
• Use soaker pads or disposable blue pads at home, in hotels, visiting people…..saves having to buy the Holiday Inn a new mattress
• Laugh
• Ask questions……there is never a question that I have been asked that I have thought was stupid!!
• You will make noises……..diet may work, blaming the dog may work, coughing may work, but I have found laughter works really well!!
• You would be very surprised to know that many people you have met or seen also have an ostomy…….you are not alone!
• It is ok to cry, be mad, scream, or be grumpy……nobody ever blew out their birthday candles and wished for a bag to eliminate bodily waste into.
• It is ok to laugh till your belly aches, make jokes about bodily functions, have a good time, ask for a hug or smile……..these are things you may have wished for.
• Use mouthwash as a deodorant inside your bag….just don’t use the same bottle to swish your mouth out……I know, kind of gross!
• Check your skin with each appliance change. Call the E.T. Nurse if you are unsure about the skin.
• Laugh
• Contact a support group…..even if you don’t think it helps you, you may help someone else!
• Accidents can happen…….ok, lets be real……shit happens!!! I have yet to have someone be mad at me because I had to leave a restaurant to go home and clean myself up!
• Nuts may not be your friend…..be mindful of your diet and if unsure, ask!!!!
• Dance if that is what you want to do. I have no idea why a bag would stop you from doing this…..if you know, please let me know. In other words, live!!!
• If someone is kind enough to ask you for dinner and wants to know what special diet you have, say thanks and TELL them. These people care about you and being loved is a wonderful feeling!!
• Be intimate with your loved one…. if you know a reason not to be, don’t tell me!
• Take extra supplies, clothes, Kleenex, bottled water while traveling
• Travel
• Most of all…LIVE

Via Inside Out On-line Nov 07.