AZ, thanks so much for sharing your story.  I read the first sentence and thought it must be a typo, but nope, 65 years with an ileostomy!  And sounds like a wonderful life, family and career.  Inspirational.  I imagine you've enjoyed the evolution/improvement of the products, including to help the skin, over the years.  Just curious, did you ever have to have a revision over those 65 years?  Since I just got mine 7 mos ago at 55, I don't think I'll beat your record but at least I know 40 more yrs should be doable.  Wishing you all the best. :-)    

Hi  Acmcissis, Welcome to the forum, it’s an honour to have read your post, Totally inspiring 

Hi Acmcissis

Your stats are amazing certainly didn't slow you down any, 5 children 15 grandchildren- any pets ;-) .

I'm sure you must of seen a huge change in ostomy product over the years all I hope for the better.

Posted by: @azmcinnis

I received an Ileostomy in 1955

Your story would be heartwarming if this happened today, but the fact that your journey began in the 50s makes it so special and quite amazing! Thank you for sharing and welcome to the forum. 

Happy Anniversary! 

@chrisandbagpus

5 dogs buried in the back yard

@lynne

You are so right about improvement of products. My first pouch was a rubber appliance I had to change every day, and was it out.

@lynne

My only problems have been blockages.

Hi AZ,

how heartening it is to read your wonderful story! 
What company made the products you started out with?

And what kinds of dogs did you have? I have a cat, but I have gotten to like little dogs -  my grown daughters have a Cavalier (Bentley)  a Boston Terrier (Winnie Cooper), and a very skinny little mutt I am especially fond of named Thumper.

LL

@azmcinnis

It is always encouraging for us newer ostomates to hear success stories like yours. It gives us hope that getting back to a normal life is possible, even if it is a different normal from what we are used to. Congratulations on 63 years of marriage, and the family you and your wife have built. 

@llholiday

I love your daughter’s dog’s names, especially Winnie Cooper. That makes me laugh. 🤣

@squeakyandliza

I am blessed

@llholiday

Our first dog was a kind of a Chihuahua mix. a bulldog mix, Then a poodle, a Weimaraner  and a basset. My dog was the Weimaraner. Many hunting days with him 

Welcome and thanks for joining the conversation.

@azmcinnis

Welcome to the forum! You truly are blessed! What an amazing story and life, and what an inspiration to all of us here. You certainly have the distinction of having the most experience! You could probably give us all pointers!

God bless you,

Stella

PS Your ostomy is one year older than me - I was born in 1956.

Hat's off to you! thank you for sharing your story.

Best wishes

@mimi

We are Mimi & Pops to our kids, grandkids and great grandkids

@azmcinnis...Welcome to the VO Site! That's some impressive ostomy history!  63 years is not slouchy at all! Congrats to you!! 

I look forward to reading what hacks & ideas you have found successful over the years! Its always good to have new people on board & I hope you will contribute here when you can.

Puppies in the back eh! We are not allowed to do that anymore where we live. I admit I struggle with not having my dear furry friends close by when they pass. I have 2 pups now they are #3 & "4.  3 is Shih-tzu cross, 4, the puppy is Malsheh. Shes almost 10 months & a crazy busy little girl! I can't imagine not having a puppy in my life. 

All the best to you!! 

I guess I may have some thoughts that someone might find interesting, and maybe useful. After my surgery, I went back to school, got married after one year, and graduated in 1960 with a BSEE and 2 children.

At that time, jobs sere very plentiful, but I had problems. I had about 20 interviews, and only one job offer. My friends were being courted, and most interviewers viewed my ostomy as a disability. The one job offer I got was with Motorola in Phoenix AZ.

Fortunately, that was a good job.

I was shown a pouch made by Torbot. I don't even know if they are still in the business. The bag was a rubber one, and I used 2 per month, replacing them daily, washing the used one, and hanging it in a storage room to dry. I used a paste to it stick to my skin. It worked pretty well, and the odor from the bag was minimal.

Sometime in the 70's or 80's I found out about Hollister, and since then I have been using their products. While the Torbot was pretty good as far as odor was concerned, the output from the bag was always my main concern. I guess my kids figured "Dad's was pretty strong". Discovery of M9 has been a real blessing for me

For a long time, at Motorola, I wore shirt and tie, and pants that pretty much followed the shape of my body. Without a colon, large intestine and only half my small intestine, I have never had a problem with weight, although now, in my late 80's my chest has dropped down around my waist and I've gone to loose comfortable pants. I am also into Hawaiian shirts, and that is pretty much my costume. 

Actually, I teach ukulele for a group at my local senior center and another group at a hospital for Cancer survivors.

I have mentioned before about Blockages, and that is my biggest problem. I have been into emergency rooms too many times. About twice a year. I've only required surgery once, and that was to rearrange  my intestines. I am especially worried about that now with the Corona Virus problem. My wife and I stay pretty much at home.

That and the odor are the only things that have bothered me. If someone said they could fix me up, I'd turn it down. Think about it, you can control your visits to the bathroom a lot better. Also my stool odor is also under control. Keep on the Sunny side, always on the sunny side.

My bedtime is 11:00, and set an alarm for 3:00 and 7:00 to empty the pouch. Don't always need it, just as a precaution. 

I think that as this happened at age 23, it was a lot easier for a me as a young person to adjust to a different situation. I just kind of rolled with the punch, and that would be a lot tougher for someone older. I've been very lucky, great wife, great kids and good friends.

@azmcinnis

I’m really glad you have joined us here on this forum, as you offer a perspective that few of us have, and your stories are interesting and entertaining. 

My husband and I went to Hawaii for a delayed honeymoon on our first anniversary. While spending the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we took a ukulele lesson and it was such fun!!

I hope you and your family all stay safe during this crazy time!