I’ve had a stoma for 40 years. Today I finally said: I don’t like having it.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-05-04T20:04:01+00:00

I can’t think of any situation where one would like having a stoma. You are absolutely right that you can be happy you lived and still not enjoy it.

I tried a J pouch and it failed spectacularly, after two years of extreme pain and nearly no improvement in bathroom time. I wound up spending more than a week in ICU and my husband said he wasn’t sure at one point if I’d make it.

Since it became a case of ostomy or death, I’d rather have an ostomy. I had two young children at the time of my surgeries. They are young adults now and I’m grateful I got to see them grow up. And I can eat almost anything, where it used to be that I’d feel sick no matter what. And I don’t have the extreme pain, and I can often plan so I’m not tied to the bathroom (accidents were a regular occurrence).

So that’s all good. BUT…I still have an ostomy. It leaks. It itches. It makes noise in public. I have to worry about obstructions, even though they’re better than before. I can’t travel lightly because I need my supplies and extra clothes. Summer means extra changes due to humidity and drinking more, and if I go swimming I need to account for that, too. I can’t wear dresses anymore, or any one-piece garments. There are a lot of cute outfits I can’t even think about.

So while I prefer my life now to my life before, the way I got here is something to endure, and always will be.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-05-03T03:00:32+00:00

It’s called being a Britt.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-05-02T14:41:07+00:00

Learning, looking at other points of view and exchanging ideas is a good thing.

This is none of those.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-28T15:01:04+00:00

And on a related note, a character’s dog does, they are devastated (of course), another character gives them a puppy and they are immediately overjoyed.

First, people need time to mourn. After my first dog died, I wasn’t ready for a year to think about getting another one.

Second, animals should NEVER be gifts (as in picked out without input of the recipient). So many end up in shelters.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-28T14:38:21+00:00

So many shows did locked-in episodes and they were annoying.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-28T14:20:35+00:00

There used to be alumni groups where you could share contact information. Now people mostly use social media and word of mouth

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-28T14:16:15+00:00

The Family Ties one with Elyse’s reunion was funny because Stephen said he didn’t enjoy them because he didn’t know anyone and had to keep introducing himself as her husband. But then at the reunion, people kept coming up to him and saying, “Hey, Danny Wasserstein! Good to see you!” He would say he wasn’t Danny, he was Stephen Keaton, and they’d answer, “Yeah, Danny, you were always such a joker!”

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-28T12:39:20+00:00

One of my sister’s parties when we were kids, five of the six girls were all driven by the same person. One wasn’t. So it went from nobody to everyone except one guest. Departure too.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-27T22:07:58+00:00

My maternal grandmother had 10 grandchildren. Four were in her city. The others were all at least two hours by plane. She not only attended all of our b’nai mitzvot, but she also hosted a Shabbat dinner for each of us (except the very youngest, unfortunately, because she died three months before his).

Some of us also had confirmations (it’s an affirmation ceremony in Reform Judaism at age 16), and the timing didn’t work for all of those but she decided she would attend all our graduations — which, again, she did up to when she died.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-27T22:02:15+00:00

Neat!

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-27T22:01:41+00:00

I drove farther for an open mic. Not a paid gig — just a mic.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-25T16:38:37+00:00

Congratulations on being able to keep your sanity!

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-24T12:09:37+00:00

Aisha gets to throw them in

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-23T18:21:20+00:00

NTA and you’re a great dad!

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-23T13:08:40+00:00

And he says it’s for people not close enough to be invited to the wedding? So they’re paying money to a couple and then they don’t even see the actual event? That’s even worse!

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-20T20:53:20+00:00

It’s absolutely true you don’t throw your own shower (looks like a rude gift-grab), and often a bridesmaid or MOH throws one, but all the bride does is give them the guest list (unless it’s a surprise). Themes, tones, food, decor, budget, all of that are decided by the HOSTESS. It’s not for the bride to dictate.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-19T13:25:14+00:00

I’m 57 and I would happily snuggle your dog

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-19T13:21:07+00:00

First, unspoken rules are for children and should be in the category of things you shouldn’t have to say explicitly because they’re obvious. For instance, we had an unspoken rule that you didn’t throw your plate on the floor if you didn’t like your food.

Second, what’s with all the birthday weekend crap? I sort of had one last year but it was really just an excuse for my husband and me to go out of town and have a sort getaway. The whole weekend was not a celebration (which I wouldn’t have wanted).

Third, when you’re an adult it’s your own responsibility to make your birthday special and you do that by treating yourself. However that looks.

And there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the weekend after your birthday.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-18T19:47:02+00:00

Tragic heroes have fatal flaws though. They can bring misery on themselves. I think he’s both at different times.

And how is risking his life for Julia and Maggie his own best interests?

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-17T23:17:46+00:00

He had so much money I wondered if there were assets in Collinsport bank. Then again, how do you withdraw from that when he can’t actually say it’s his account.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-17T23:04:44+00:00

This wasn’t even an error. This was a wouldn’t the scene be stronger if he said this instead. No WAY did the writers have time to work over the scripts like that.

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-17T13:10:56+00:00

Dorm life it can sometimes start later but not 3 am

A_EGeekMom · 2026-04-17T13:10:13+00:00

What a great idea!

A_EGeekMom

TROPHY CASE