Holy moly, my sixth stomaversary is here! As with past years, I’ve taken my stomaversary to be a queue to stop, reflect and acknowledge how grateful I am for the life I am living.  I started my ostomy journey with optimism. I was so sick fighting my Ulcerative Colitis as I lay on my hospital bed that I welcomed the “cure” of an ostomy. I felt confident that I was making the right choice as they wheeled me down for surgery.  Overall, that confidence has stuck with me for the last six years, but I’ve also had many moments where it was overshadowed with fear, anxiety, depression, frustration, and sadness.

I believe living a happy life is a choice you have to make, but sometimes it’s hard to remember that when I’m facing a challenge.  Immediately after surgery I was overcome with fear, anxiety and questions about everything ostomy. There was a lot to learn, it was overwhelming, and the resources that exist now were only beginning to be formed. I decided to compile the answers I was finding into Newbie Ostomy, hoping that it would be a helpful resource for future ostomates who had the same questions I was asking. 

There are so many incredible resources about living with an ostomy that are available now and I just want to thank you whole-heartedly for reading this one.  Every time I feel defeated or like I should stop updating Newbie Ostomy, I get an email from someone asking questions or thanking me for sharing my experiences and realize I can’t quit. When I started this, I did it to help you without realizing how much it would also help me. Having the opportunity to provide education and emotional support to other ostomy patients through this website, social media and through the 11 Health Patient Coach Program has been such an incredible experience.  

Do you celebrate your stomaversary? Do you ever stop to express gratitude for your life after having ostomy surgery?