Presentation

[ihlanya]

I've been asked to give a talk at the AGM of the Ileostomy Association on 7th May

Comments

[kenosis]

Two ideas: what you've learned through your experience with chronic, incurable disease with an ileostomy. Sometimes people harp so much on what they've lost, ya know? Other people will have learned other things, so it won't be redundant. Stephen Schmidt wrote something that might even work through a framework at http://courses.washington.edu/hmed665i/A_Piece_of_My_Mind.pdf

Also, the many faces of ileostomates. Most people with them are older - but most people with them are also invisible, since it's tough to spot us!

[ihlanya]

OH WOW!!!!!!

What an amazing link you sent me. And a great bit of input from you as well. I never thought of us being invisible.... and harping on about losing something.

Thank you! You have made my day.

Made. My. Day. ♥

[kenosis]

Glad to be of service. Another thought is in speaking of the "What's the worst that could happen?" idea. For example, I can't speak for anyone else, but I fought terribly hard and did everything I realistically could with my IBD to ever have an ostomy. Any time it was brought up I immediately, inflexibly, shot it down. For a lot of reasons, most of them cosmetic, really. Then I woke up from a coma and I had one, and aside from a fantasy IBD cure, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. Sometimes, in the midst of everything, it's tough to remember that the ostomy can be a blessing (maybe not in the middle of the night when leakage, but whateva).

Good luck with your speech!

[ihlanya]

Yeah, I hear ya. I fought for YEARS to not have an ileostomy. But it's the best thing I could ever have done.

Night time leakage, hello. I just had to put my kingsize duvet in the laundromat (cos it wont' fit in my washing machine) and I sloped in guiltily hoping they'll never recognise me again.