Double Check Your Clip

Well, after mentioning just yesterday I only had a few leaks, I had my best leak yet.  After using the restroom at lunch in a restaurant yesterday, I must have, at some point, forgot to check my clip was closed.  It didn't become obvious at first, until I stood up about 20 minutes later (after some great Mexican), and felt a warmth in a spot I shouldn't.  As I made a break to the restroom, I felt my clip somewhere mid thigh: I knew at that point, that was all she wrote.  Sure enough, it was open, completely, and ran down my leg.

Thankfully, denim is a little more resistant than I thought, and after some cleanup (thank God for a fully stocked bathroom), it still looked like I had at least wet myself down to my knee.  My jacket wasn't long enough to cover up the whole thing, so I was pretty much reserved that here we go!  We were completed with dinner and leaving anyways, so I walked through the joint, coat in hand and just went with the flow.  All we could do was laugh on the way out and chuckle at how the mall "was gonna be a little delayed" and "did it just warmer in here?"  A load of laundry and a quick shower and the episode was behind us.

Other than a few obvious stares, it's really nothing to deal other than your own embarrassment.  Don't let it eat at you:  Normalcy is a state of mind - Have your own state.  Be comfortable in your skin and learn from that moment.  Bet I'll remember to double check my clip from now on and I'll always have an entertaining story to tell (and retell!)

Home for the Holidays

I've been away from making updates over the past few months, even when it wasn't going all that hot.  Save the three random episodes of "blockages", hospitalizations, and NG tubes back in late August and September, things have been well.  I've been putting on weight, golfed several times, and work too many damn hours.

It was a long haul after the surgery in May, especially getting strength back.  Having the ostomy is not that invasive to my well-being or things I want to do.  Pants are tough to find to fit, especially when you have no butt to fill them, but if that's all I have to worry about, I'll take it.  Two leaks back in August and one last week, but all near home and typically after eating bananas and rice (go figure).  Once you get into a routine, you just do it and don't really think about it.  It doesn't really affect my mental state and it's much like showering: You don't really think about it.  (And if it's all over the place, you laugh it up, clean it up and wash your hands!)

There has been some minor erosion around the stoma and it doesn't protrude as much as I would like, thus the more frequent changings.  It's unlikely I'll have it addressed anytime soon, if ever, if it continues to be minor.  I can live a lifetime like this, so let's hope it continues that way.  That, and my surgeon is tired of seeing me: Our twelve weeks apart will be the longest ever and I'm sure we won't be missing each other when we do convene again.

I may go back and fill in some of the prior months dealings, especially with the admissions to the hospital.  Otherwise, this little journey may stay in our rearview mirror.  I still receive updates, so feel free to contact me with any questions or updates or what's new in comments or email.

Happy holidays to all of you and your families.  These are the times we live for - enjoy them, for they are far too infrequent and fleeting.

- J