New Friends with (or without) Guts!

There is not a support group in my area for people with an ostomy so I have turned to social media networking. I have found the coolest people through Twitter, Facebook and blogging. We are from all over the world and yet, we are connected through shared life experiences. I have not met any of my new "friends" in person---yet. Maybe one day we will find ourselves in the same place at the same time. I look forward to this!

Dealing with any kind of chronic illness can be a very, very lonely and discouraging ordeal. Many of us face long bouts of isolation and depression. It's hard to see past this when you are deep in the middle of it. People who are fortunate to have good health don't always understand why we suffer the mental issues like depression that chronic illness can produce. It's not that they don't want to sympathize, it's just that- unless you've been there, you can't fully comprehend the awfulness of the circumstance.

After reading various blogs of other bowel disease sufferers, I realized there is a whole community of us out there that feel the need to connect with others dealing with similar issues. We have a shared need, to be understood and not judged. We want our life experiences to be heard but not pitied. We need to know we are not alone in our struggles. We are not hypochondriacs, lazy or self-absorbed. We are dealing with issues that make everyday life challenging and sometimes need a safe place to vent. We want to educate and remove the fear and awkwardness of bowel disease. It is what it is: a disease that causes embarrassing side effects, crippling depression and body altering solutions. Ask any one of us if we wanted to wear a bag on the outside of our body that collects crap and the answer will be no. But, that's where some of us are today. And you know what--we are OK with it because, it means quality of life has been improved by such an alteration. We are trying to see past our current situation and focus on the positive, the future. We want to live as normally as possible.

I am inspired by my new friends. They each live life to the fullest. They struggle to move forward on bad days. Staying healthy is hard work and often they are detoured on the road to meet their set goals. Depression and frustration can seem overpowering sometimes yet, they still press on. I am in awe of their many accomplishments and dedication to embracing every day, good or bad. I am thankful for their willingness to put themselves out there so that others might see their light. I am forever grateful to the technology that has brought us together.

Life is short and should be cherished. If you can breathe, you have something to be thankful about. Anything beyond that is a blessing. As one of my new found friends says: "May you be plagued with good health."


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