Some big holidays are happening soon and since they’re so often commemorated by gifts I thought it would be fun to put together a little shopping guide with some gift ideas for ostomates. Go ahead, spoil the ostomate in your life a little! Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing products through the Amazon links below … Read More
Fun Ostomy Halloween Costume Ideas
Halloween is less than a month away and I’m sure some of you want to dress up and feature your ostomy but haven’t decided what you want to be yet. Maybe this post will help. I found some cute ostomy halloween costume ideas for the folks who want to dress up their pouch, and some cute halloween costume ideas that … Read More
Winter Clothing Items Every Female Ostomate Should Have In Their Closet
Let’s talk about clothes! Figuring out what to wear was hard enough without an ostomy. Then I got an ostomy and as I was healing, my belly was sore and tender, my clothes were uncomfortable, I was scared to wear anything tight for fear that it would burst my pouch, and I was self-conscious that my pouch was totally noticeable … Read More
Hot Tub Confession
I have a confession to make. I didn’t get my ostomy pouch wet for the first 2.5 years I had it. I know. Crazy right? How did I shower? Carefully. Didn’t I want to go in the pool? Not particularly, plus I didn’t really have the opportunity. What about the hot tub? It’s never really been my thing. ..But even in … Read More
Preparing For Full-Time Employment: Clothes!
One of my first questions when I was offered the job was “What’s the dress code?” My new boss told me to wear business casual and jeans on Fridays. I was really looking forward to Fridays! I hadn’t had to get dressed up very often since my colectomy. The occasional wedding or fun outing, sure, but day to day my clothes were athletic attire … Read More
It’s Not: “Hi, I’m Karin and I Have an Ostomy”
I’ll admit it. I enjoy talking about myself. I like telling my story. I like hearing people tell me how strong I am and how much they admire what I’m doing. Who wouldn’t like that extra push of encouragement, especially on a less than perfect day. That said – I don’t want to be the one to start the conversation all … Read More
45 Things I’ve Done with my Ostomy
Part of what makes people nervous about having an ostomy is the worry that their life will be “over” and they’ll never get to do “normal” things again from eating out to enjoying intimacy. I’d like to settle your nerves. I’ve had my ostomy two years (today is my stomaversary!) and in those two years, even in just the first year, I … Read More
Traveling – Worry for nothing
Here’s a post I found recently that I wrote just before my surgery last year. It appears that it slipped through the cracks before I got around to posting it – oops! Up until recently, the vacations I’ve taken since I’ve had my ostomy have either been to familiar places or for 2-3 days in a place unfamiliar to me, … Read More
Ostomy Fashion Show
Having an ostomy can be fun! The Carmichael Ostomy Association does an annual fashion show and I was lucky enough to participate this year. It was a blast. I am guessing that the models ranged in age from mid-twenties (me) to …who knows… 70s? 80s? Everyone was dressed so nicely. We each picked a song to play while we “walked … Read More
Dinner with an ostomate.
Since becoming an ostomate, I have met some really cool people. There are a number of other young bloggers out there who are so wonderful and responsive when you reach out with millions of questions. One of those wonderful people is Heidi. Heidi runs the blog www.ostomyoutdoors.com and lives an incredibly active lifestyle exploring nature, rock-climbing, skiing, snowboarding – you … Read More
Turkey & Avocado Sandwich and Slow Dancing
My date went so well! I wore a long sleeved, blue dress that is tight over my boobs and then flows loosely over the rest of my stomach and legs. I wore “high-rise” leggings that come up and cover my bag completely (also providing support for the bag which is why I love those particular leggings). Boots and a scarf … Read More
Getting Back to Dating – Ostomy Edition
I’m going on a date in a few days. Nervous? A little. The only other date (or something close to it) I’ve been on since surgery, Coltrane was not particularly welcoming toward. Coltrane acting out when I’m nervous is not an acceptable form of stress management. We’re going out to dinner, he let me pick the restaurant so I looked … Read More
Back to Work. But What Do I Wear?
Note: This post was originally written in December 2013. Today was my first day back at work. I have been really lucky, the company I work for has been incredibly understanding and is very supportive. They even sent me a super sweet care package complete with aloe vera infused socks and a book of texts from dogs. I’m going back … Read More