I just want to take a moment to thank everyone on this site for their kind and helpful demeanour. I have only been a member for a short time - a couple of months - and I have yet to see a post that was offensive. Maybe you know this already, but that isn’t always the case on other ostomy sites, unfortunately. I am so glad I found this one! I truly feel that I could ask any question and I would get nothing but support from the membership. It’s nice to know, with all the turmoil in the world, that there really is a place that is warm, welcoming, and helpful. Thanks you guys, all of you! Laurie Just a semicolon Hi Laurie, That’s very pleasing to hear. It’s hard to believe that this forum and website has been put together by one Guy who is a working family man willing to give time and money to help others. I like you an very grateful and for some one who ain’t a social media person VO has become an enjoyable and important part of life ??? ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns You obviously haven't been down wind from bagpus when she's naughty? :-D Honestly we're all members of an inclusive club and at this specific time the support is at arm length or more. Without Eric's site and the member's I would still be struggling with my ostomy instead I have with you guys and girls (If that's fair to say these days) I'm in a better place. We will always help here if we can even if its a kind word. Colostomy Jan 2020 I couldn't have said it better myself. Even though I no longer have my ileostomy, talking about having it is the most vulnerable I ever get. It's still really difficult, but knowing that this community is a safe, supportive place does make it a little bit easier. I think that's probably because we've all been through something really difficult to get where we are, and therefore are more empathetic to the other members here. When something directly affects you, you tend to look at things a little bit differently. Other online communities could definitely take a page from this one. I don't post much here because there's so much I don't know I don't want to come across knowing more than I actually do, but I'm glad a place like this is here. Brian Nechrotizing Enterocolitis 7/3/1982 Yes! I've been very shy about talking to anyone other than my wife and kids about my Ulcerative Colitis before my surgery. I was burned really badly by a family member one time who told me that I "talked too much about it," that I "should eat more," and that "of course it's going to be bad if you focus on it all the time." At the time, I was going through one of the worst flares of my life which left me 20 pounds lighter than I should have been. Since then, I've only shared to my safe people, my wife and kids. Since having surgery, this site has been so warm, open, and welcoming. It has certainly helped me to come to terms with what I've dealt with for the last 26 years, culminating in losing my colon and rectum. Not once on this site have I ever heard anyone trivialize what anyone is going through. THANK YOU ALL for a safe place and a healthy place to share! Ulcerative Colitis (1995) I’m sorry you had a family member minimize what you were going through. I always think of family as a safe space, but I know that isn’t always the case. I love the safety of this group too. There isn’t much I don’t feel comfortable posting here and there is minimal judgement for sure. I think, for the most part, we all know how vulnerable we can feel being an ostomate, especially a new one, and try to make each other feel as safe as possible. -Liza It really warms my heart to read these comments. I just happen to run a website to facilitate things, but it is YOU guys who make it a community. Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
Ileostomy 7/29/1982
Reversed 8/1/1995
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.
Ileostomy 6/18/2018
“May your day be bright and your bag be light.”
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~
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