It's sickening to see AI being shoved into any and every product, service, and software we use.

The software that runs this website is no exception.

For weeks, I've been holding out on updating the forum software, because the latest major version is basically AI-everything.

Now, the software that runs the website has begun to add AI-features into the mix, too.

As these updates often come with important security patches, I will be forced to update them at some point in the near future.

My intention is to disable any and all AI-related features that are used to either collect data, or generate content.

One such feature included in the new forum software allows AI to create new topics. To me, this undermines the entire point of an online community, and would be insulting for those looking to learn from another person's shared experience. It's my understanding that this feature can (and will!) be disabled.

I honestly don't know where things are headed in the next year or two. If these AI features can no longer be disabled, I'll need to make some tough decisions.

This site, and all of my content, has always been offered for free and without outside influence or manipulation. It's one of the reasons why I've never put up ads, taken on sponsored content, or sold my newsletter members list to marketing companies.

If AI undermines the effort I've taken over the last 13 years of running VO, it would be heartbreaking to say the least.

I'm thinking out loud, and sharing my thoughts, because what's happening affects far more than VeganOstomy and the VO community.

It's a good decision, but I'll be honest, it's ALARMING that people in their 40's are at risk of colon cancer to begin with!

While detection is critical, really, we need to find out what's trigging cancer at such early ages, so preventative measures can be put in place.

“Canadians born after 1980 are two to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 compared to earlier generations.”

Crazy!

Apart from playing the drums and reading, I think most of my hobbies tend to be "practical hobbies": DIY/repairing things, indoor gardening, bike/bike maintenance, etc.

I had to go do a simulation the other day where they made a mold of my body and marked several areas on my body. They put me through a scanner to watch how the nodule moves around as I breathe. This will help them plan the actual treatment.  The planning will last for 2 weeks and I'll get the treatment later this month. It will only require one treatment and was told that the usual side effect will most likely be some fatigue. 

Then will get scanned again in 3 months to make sure it's shrinking or gone away. I have my fingers crossed. 

But as far as my bag issues go, thankfully there are none. Hence no posts. I got my routine down. Change once a week 98% of the time. Sometimes twice a week in hot weather and lots of bending at the waist. Health is not too bad considering my age and bad habits. So just to let folks know.This thing can work out okay. Sixty eight now and still working 40 hour week or more with a fair bit of physical exertion at work and at home. I don't have any unusual tips or tricks to offer. But if you want to know anything just ask. I may just be lucky.

I have recently been plagued by a problem that I’ve never encountered before. I have noticed a smell coming from my pouch. I am not eating anything unusual that may cause this.

I am wearing an Eakin Ring, Convatec appliance and a Convatec pouch - the same products I have been wearing for years.

It’s not too bad. My partner doesn’t notice it, but I do.

Thoughts?

meredith 

I came across an article for a municipality in my region, who announced that they will be participating in the "Hidden Disabilities Sunflower" program.

As it turns out, our regional transit authority is also part of the program, and as I explored deeper, the United Ostomy Association of America is, too.

So, I had a look ( https://hdsunflower.com ) and ostomy was being featured in their index of non-visible disabilities.

What I understand from the program is that participating businesses, airports, transit authorities, etc., train their staff to recognize patrons who are showing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (lanyard, pin, wristband, etc.), and they'll discreetly know that this person may need extra assistance.

It's an interesting program, that I'll be looking out for now. It's apparently in countries all over the world.

My only real hesitation is that the program is being run by a private company (based out of the UK), not a charity or non-profit. Their business model suggests that revenue is generated through the sale of their Sunflower products (pins, lanyards, etc.), as well as memberships for organizations.

They've been around for nearly 10 years. 

Anyway, have any of you come across this program?

Im wondering if anyone else with an ileostomy has had to drink these and if there's one that may not cause this side effect for us. My PCP is clueless about this.

It's really been wearing on me. I can't seem to get a good seal and even the ones the stoma nurses have put on don't seem to last either. They really have not offered any solutions other than one time to try without a ring but then stool got under my pouch barrier. After a couple empties I start to get odor and this has really been distressing me terribly as I live in an apartment building and worried about odor.  I can't afford the deoderant M9 any longer as I'm on a fixed income. I found myself not wanting to eat much or to go out of the house around people due to this. It's had me tearful and with situational depression. 

My original colorectal surgeons secretary called me due to me telling the stoma nurses that I wish he could fix my stoma but that he can't because there is mesh in there and that's not his specialty. But anyhow I had mentioned to the nurse I wish they could go into surgery together, him and my general surgeon to fix this thing. So due to this she said he is offering me an appointment to come speak with him about this. It may be a possibility.

I understand that my surgeon tried and he did his best and I'm not knocking him. He's a very good surgeon but a complex situation with the mesh inside and as he told me , they can't sit me in an upright position on the operating table as to see what I'm seeing when I'm standing changing my pouch. I totally get this and I know it's not his fault. I mean, who would have ever thought that I'd be getting 6 bowel obstructions from adhesions in 4 months time and then having open surgery having to cut through the mesh.  I'm just thinking that maybe with both of their heads put together and by going into surgery together that just maybe I can get this thing fixed to an at least manageable state

I hope you are all well!!  ❤️