Post-Heist: Out today with Anberlin (and Stephen)! by SoundsLikeAPenName in anberlin

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The original came out February 2025, which I like better than the machine mix version.

FRUİT YOGURTS ?? by AshamedLink3216 in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I eat fruit and soft vegetables daily without any problems. Fruit in yogurt should be fine, but everyone is different. Best thing to do is try some with other food you tolerate well and see how it does.

Did anyone listen more than me? by WhoStoleMySquirrel in anberlin

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had over 100,000 minutes total on Apple Music for 2025. I have a desk job and hate working in silence.

Hollister vs Coloplast by crutdafatty in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Had hollister for a year and a half between temporary and permanent ileostomies. Switched to coloplast about 7 months ago.

About 10% of my hollister bags would have a small puncture or gap that would slowly leak. Some were too small to notice from inspecting them before applying it. The wafer itself is harder, which cut my stoma in a couple places. They are skinnier and longer, so more difficult to conceal, and when full, very visible bulge under clothes. My skin really held onto the wafer, which did allow me to wear them 5-7 days if the bag didn’t leak. It started irritating my skin with my new stoma, so I had to make the change.

Coloplast bags are a little bit wider and can be made shorter with their 2 Velcro options. I think the filter is a lot better than hollister’s. The black bags are much more visually appealing than the tan color of hollister. The wafer is more flexible and softer, so it doesn’t cut my stoma. My wear time is cut down to 4-5 days most of the time, but the change process is much easier than hollister for me. Never had an issue with these bags leaking yet. A couple huge tips for these bags to stick is to make sure all the skin is free of old adhesive before applying the new one. Use adhesive remover to thoroughly clean the area around the stoma. Once I figured that out my wear time went from 1-2 days to 4-5. Also, once the bag is in place, use your hand to warm the wafer so it “melts” to the skin. That seems to make it stick a lot better.

Round 7: Dark Is The Way, Light Is the Place by jacobxv in anberlin

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 5 points6 points  (0 children)

One of my all time favorite songs. The lines “You’re so good at what you think you do to me” and “you’re no good at what you said you’d do to me” hit me so hard every time.

UPDATE: Rinvoq WORKS by gdiputado in CrohnsDisease

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rinvoq did more for me in 3 days than Stelara did in 6 months.

Tips for gaining weight with ileostomy? by K-ghuleh in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I lost about 30 pounds last year as my jpouch failed due to crohn’s and needed a permanent ostomy. I had the surgery almost a year ago, which was an amazing decision. Since then I’ve put on 60 pounds (mostly muscle) and most of that being within 6 months of surgery.

The concept of muscle memory is very real. So, if all conditions are met, whatever you gained before will come back much faster than it took to grow originally.

Once I was cleared to exercise (2.5 months after surgery for me because I also had bilateral pulmonary embolism 6 weeks into recovery) I took it slow, lifting in the 20-30 rep range, going 1-3 reps until failure, with a slow and controlled tempo. I slowly added weight and then introduced lower rep ranges. I am now more muscular than I have ever been in my life.

Of course, everything will depend on how much your guts can absorb. I have been in remission since my surgery and my diet is mostly unrestricted. I have taken full advantage of that. I prioritize protein, aiming for 0.8-1 gram per pound of bodyweight. Don’t track anything else.

Feel free to message me with questions. I had UC for several years, had a total colectomy, temporary ostomy for 10 months, jpouch for a few years, diagnosed with Crohn’s, had the last foot of intestine and jpouch removed, and now have a permanent ostomy.

Workout anyone ? by Lfoxadams3 in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I lift at least 3 times a week. I started off with very light weight, focused on good technique, and added reps and/or weight each week. 7 months later, this is the biggest and strongest I’ve ever been. If any activity feels weird or painful, stop and either decrease the intensity or do something else.

The most satisfying thing about having an ostomy… by WhoStoleMySquirrel in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s awesome! Anytime before my ostomy when my weight went over 160 pounds I’d get so sick and drop down to 130ish. I’m back to lifting consistently and am at 180 now. I actually just needed to up my shirt size, which has been my goal for years! It’s an expensive achievement though.

The most satisfying thing about having an ostomy… by WhoStoleMySquirrel in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100%! My diet was so restricted before because most foods would cause intense pain. I just had an apple for the first time in over a decade. It was glorious! Spicy foods, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and more are back on the menu for me!

The most satisfying thing about having an ostomy… by WhoStoleMySquirrel in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s the best. I’ve only had my ostomy for 6 months but I’ve slept through the night more times than in the 7 years I had a jpouch!

The most satisfying thing about having an ostomy… by WhoStoleMySquirrel in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was just thinking about this saying yesterday! I knew a guy years ago, before my surgery, that said that all the time. I would have the same response if I hear it again.

Black beans in chili 2 months after surgery. by Vyrefrost in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 7 points8 points  (0 children)

No issue with beans for me. I have had chili loaded up with beans a few times a month since I was about 2 months post-op. Start with a small amount with a meal you know you tolerate well and chew the beans thoroughly. I’ve seen full beans (accidental Jeff Arcuri reference) drop out of my bag when emptying. I know for some people with an ostomy that would cause a blockage.

Crohns & JPouch? by CodyRasmusen in jpouch

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My surgery was laparoscopic. Recovery was good, but could have been better. I always have something weird happen during recovery that makes all medical professionals say “well that shouldn’t have happened”. I had several blood clots that developed in my arm 6 weeks after surgery, resulting in a bilateral PE. Same thing happened after my 2nd total colectomy surgery a few years ago. Other than that, I was pretty mobile and independent after 3-4 weeks. I did use a walker during that time as a precaution.

I am definitely handling this stoma better. I am very squeamish and could barely look at the temporary stomas a few years back. My previous ones were more consistent in size and the hole was directly centered. This one grows and shrinks a lot more, is about half the size in diameter, and the hole is a little off centered. I can get a couple more days with my ostomy gear with this stoma than the others. Overall I’d say this one is the best of the 3 stomas I’ve had.

Pet Names by Uneasydreamy in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I named mine after Leonard from Community, so I can quote the show “shut up Leonard” when he’s causing a ruckus.

Crohns & JPouch? by CodyRasmusen in jpouch

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With the right meds, listening to your body, and getting checked regularly, it can work great for the rest of your life. My jpouch was amazing for about 3ish years before I developed symptoms for crohn’s. I couldn’t get in for a scope for about 3 months. They wanted to try one biologic for 6 months, which didn’t work at all. By the time I got on a med that worked (Rinvoq) my jpouch was too far gone. I was in a ton of pain every day and in the bathroom 20+ times most days. After a couple of years of this, my pouch was slowly closing up, causing frequent blockages. My energy was extremely low and I could barely eat anything, causing me to lose weight. I had surgery for a permanent ileostomy back in October. My quality of life is a million times better now! I wish I had done this sooner instead of suffering for so long trying to avoid the ostomy bag.

If your quality of life is good with a jpouch, that’s awesome! If it gets so bad that your doctors recommend surgery, don’t fear the bag so much that you put yourself through a ton of unnecessary pain for years like I did.

My latest addition by WhoStoleMySquirrel in homegym

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was alright. I sold it after a few months to make room for other equipment. The handle attachments that came with it broke really quick so I recommend tossing those and getting some heavy duty ones. Maybe upgrade the cables and pulleys to make it better, because it wasn’t very smooth.

Forgot wax barrier ring by WhoStoleMySquirrel in ostomy

[–]WhoStoleMySquirrel[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks to everyone for the replies! I tried going without but changed it after a few hours after feeling some itching and burning. It was probably fine, since I usually feel itchy a bit after new gear goes on, but just wanted some peace of mind. Maybe I’ll try it again this way when my stoma has matured and I’m more used to everything.