I’ll admit it. I enjoy talking about myself. I like telling my story. I like hearing people tell me how strong I am and how much they admire what I’m doing.  Who wouldn’t like that extra push of encouragement, especially on a less than perfect day.  That said – I don’t want to be the one to start the conversation all … Read More
Stress: The Common Denominator
When we’re sick, sometimes it’s accompanied by stress. And when we’re stressed, sometimes (read: all the time?) it makes us feel even more sick. When we have surgery coming up, no matter how prepared we think we are, there’s always fear, anger, and stress about the situation hiding in our minds. And when we’re recovering from surgery, every extra, new … Read More
Redirecting to Happy Thoughts
“Some of the worst things in my life never even happened” – Mark Twain Whenever I’m stressing about the future, I remember those wise words.  With my surgery for a completion protecting just under a month away, you can imagine I’m a a little nervous. I keep cycling through different emotions and realizations about the surgery and my recovery. For the … Read More
Coltrane for life. Why I decided to make my ostomy permanent.
When the surgeon and I were talking about my colectomy in the hospital, she mentioned leaving a couple inches of rectum partially because it was so inflamed she wasn’t comfortable operating, but also so that I’d have the possibility to have my ostomy reversed and go the j-pouch route. I told her I wouldn’t be doing that but she didn’t … Read More
Lingerie for Ostomates in a Brick & Mortar store
Have you heard of Vanilla Blush?  They design lingerie, swimwear and menswear for people with ostomies.  They focus on their products being functional AND fashionable so you can get the support you need for your stoma and feel confident in what you’re wearing.  Vanilla Blush advertises their lingerie with pin-up models, because ostomates deserve to be feel sexy and what’s more … Read More