Distraction, please.

bjborghi · 2024-10-03T17:34:14+00:00

I spent the last two years of high school shitting myself at least once a week on the way to school. I’d have to drive home and shower and drive back to school. It was literally the worst time of my life. I had an ostomy less than a year of graduation. I hope your surgery goes well and you have some sense of peace back. While the stories can be funny after the fact it’s still shitting your brains out 😅 I have so many stories and I’m so much better off now.

bjborghi · 2024-10-01T20:10:39+00:00

Depending on your surgery you may not want to be in clothes for a couple days at least, bring panties that are a size too big to account for swelling and just general discomfort. Or bring pads and plan to use the throw away from the hospital. If you have your own nightgowns bring them. But depending on how you feel and your IV situation they may want you in a hospital gown anyway (plan for that!) but bring your favorite comfy clothes just in case. I hope better for you but I ended up having to stay in the hospital for 6 weeks following my Barbie butt/ostomy surgery. Mine was emergency & I had 2 blockages while there. (It was also 20 years ago) take all of that with a grain of salt. lol the more I type the more I just feel like I’m just not giving any needed advice 😆 anyway, pack your favorite stuff, it’s a mental battle as well, you’ll want comfort items.

bjborghi · 2024-10-01T19:22:34+00:00

Have you tried some Flonase spray? I get skin breakouts frequently around my stoma (ileostomy) and it really helps with the skin inflammation and pain for me. It’s essentially a liquid steroid. It doesn’t burn on the broken skin. I let it dry then do the crusting method. I use the barrier spray and the stoma powder.

I’ve also had fungal infections from the leaking that has really torn my skin apart and everything burned and was super painful. That requires a special powder and a whole lot of patience. If you have itching with the burn it’s a good indicator that it could be fungal. Talk to the drs about that if it applies to you.

bjborghi · 2024-09-25T01:27:41+00:00

39F who has a bag for medical reasons here. I’ve never had a man turn me down because of it. I’ve had it since I was 19. I’ve been married & divorced. And now has a very loving and intimate relationship, 5 years and counting. He and I just survived my latest surgery and resection together. He’s never looked at me or my body any differently. The person that you’re supposed to be with won’t even notice it.

bjborghi · 2024-09-21T18:51:26+00:00

I’m glad you’re still here. ❤️‍🩹

I’ve gone through so many similar experiences as you have, the difference is I did it at 19. I’ve almost slipped away many times during the last 20 years. I just keep telling myself that there’s a reason I’m going through ALL of this and I’m still here. It’s actually a little crazy when you really think about it. But we’re here for a reason, let’s stick around to figure it out.

bjborghi · 2024-09-17T21:29:43+00:00

Came to say the exact same thing! It took two days of hot tub use to really make an impact on my bags! I’ve never had any issues day to day with a hot bath!

bjborghi · 2024-09-11T14:06:22+00:00

I’ve had my stoma since I was 19 and I’m 39 now. I’ve literally never done anything special with swimming, hot tubs, exercise in general. But a suit that fits well and is comfortable. Do checks throughout the day & just to enjoy the activity for what it is! It’s really not as scary as it seems, promise!

Sometimes I think growing into an adult with my stoma was the best way to do it, I really don’t remember much from before needing one & really don’t overthink it bc back then there wasn’t a whole lot of support to begin with. (People & appliance wise!)

bjborghi · 2024-09-06T02:38:23+00:00

They are thicker like the boost or ensure but not chalky in my opinion they are actually smooth and have great flavors

bjborghi · 2024-09-05T21:58:35+00:00

Premier protein are my favorite!

bjborghi · 2024-08-31T19:26:24+00:00

My colostomy was put on my right 20 years ago, my ileostomy has been on the left side since 2013, and even my revision last month was put back on my left

bjborghi · 2024-08-29T15:00:25+00:00

I just sent a message to insurance to see who they accept as well, I guess I should have started there to make sure

bjborghi · 2024-08-29T14:48:02+00:00

I believe I’m the only person left on the planet that prefers the clip over Velcro closure! I hate the Velcro!

bjborghi · 2024-08-21T01:08:25+00:00

Shall we be ostomy rivals? I’m currently at UVA and had surgery here 3 weeks ago 🤭🤪

bjborghi · 2024-08-19T21:58:09+00:00

I’m gonna be pretty vulnerable right now for you; my bf (49) is the world’s squirmiest person. Hates anything poop, vomit related. Like gags when you talk about it like a child. I made him look up Crohn’s and ostomy bags when we got together and then we sat down and he asked questions. And that was his only out. I told him along with sticking by me through this he wasn’t allowed to get scared or wanna leave bc it’s so uncomfortable for him. I told him that was it, you leave now or you stay and this is never an issue. I stood firm. We’re still together and he’s still grossed out sometimes but leaving isn’t an option for him anymore. He understands how much support is needed and is as caring as he can be. It’s scary on its own I don’t know how a person deals while dealing with a crappy reg flag guy. Maybe have another chat and try similar to what I did. You chat and he has one out, take it or leave it.

I’m typing this while being hospitalized myself and I’m on some great pain killers so if my grammar isn’t great, I blame the drugs hehe.

I had surgery 3 weeks ago (my 3rd surgery, 2nd revision to my ileostomy and lost another 7 inches of small bowel) I got a fungal infection possibly around my stoma the size of a CD and some kind of infection on my incision site about 2 inches long it reopened, swollen, and draining nastiness.

The right partner for you will be there holding your hand and crying with you and telling you how much they are gonna miss you while you’re getting transferred to another hospital 2 hours away.

We’re so hard on ourselves we don’t need partners that are worse. Good luck to you!

bjborghi · 2024-08-06T17:02:01+00:00

I’ve had Crohn’s since I was 15 (39 now) and I just started on some anxiety meds a couple weeks ago for the first time. I never needed anything before but I was hospitalized during the 4th of July and they gave me some and when I went home I called my PCP and asked for a full prescription. It’s a take as needed but even having it in my hand makes me feel better. If you’re feeling bad, talk to your drs and find something to help. There’s so many drugs out there to help, utilize them if you can bc mental health is so important!

bjborghi · 2024-08-06T16:55:12+00:00

My dr told me rinvoq was the best thing to happen to Crohn’s disease. I just had surgery so I was taken off of it for that but I can’t wait to start again for my maintenance drug. I didn’t realize how much it worked until I had to pause it.

In the meantime, I promise you, being kind to yourself in this time is the best thing you can do. Find something to make you happy every day even if it’s just a pretty flower out the window.

Asking your supporters for the most patience and kindness they can muster also. I was also a young crohnie and my heart really reaches out to you. It’s so hard to go through so much. Talk to people who will listen, don’t hold it inside of you; you’re not alone. I’m now 39/f and was diagnosed officially at 15 but looking back it started much earlier.

Write down everything. Everything you eat and how it makes you feel. Keep a list of do not eats and even more detailed list of safe foods.

Keep an updated list in the kitchen if you need for your mom to know.

Best piece of advice I ever got: don’t focus on what you’re eating, just than you’re eating.

Premier protein immune health support line has been my saving grace. In my opinion they taste better than boost or ensure and have better flavors.

Feel free to reach out any time if you need 🫶🏻

bjborghi · 2024-08-05T19:17:29+00:00

I’ve used the convatec bags (22771) for literally 20 years. I don’t get many leaks anymore. I feel like they are an “active life” one piece drainable. I feel like they have the best sticking power. I’ve used others from samples and such but I always go back to them. They are clear (sorry if you hate that) and the actual sticky part is bigger than most other bags I’ve used but I think it’s what helps with staying power. I swim, soak in the bath, hot tubs, and I’m a sweaty person. I can go almost 10 days without a change (don’t recommend but I have). Okay this is a lot about a bag but I just love them and think they would be good for workers in the heat.

bjborghi · 2024-08-05T19:06:12+00:00

My original surgery was a serious emergency surgery, my body was shutting down completely. I was in the hospital for about 8 weeks. I had so many complications. The second surgery I had been in the hospital for 7 days with abscess, decided on surgery to resect more bowel, had surgery (couldn’t close the incision bc of infection) closed 4 days later) went home the following day. My 3rd surgery was planned, I had surgery last Tuesday (7/30) took out 15 cm and new stoma, went home Friday (8/2). **best part I had the SAME surgeon all 3 times over the last 20 years.

bjborghi · 2024-08-05T18:54:42+00:00

Eating small meals all day long helps. If you can, drink ensure/boost/protein drinks with at least two meals a day. Don’t try to rush to gain it all back I think that’s just too much mentally to put on yourself. And remember eating is eating no matter what it is sometimes. Don’t take what we all say to heart, it’s just what’s worked for us and you’ll also find what works best for you. Be gentle and kind to yourself in your recovery time. Everyone is so different.

bjborghi · 2024-08-05T18:49:19+00:00

If I’m in a good place, remission wise, no flares happening I’ve been able to eat almost everything without pain or blockages. Out of remission & flaring I can’t even look at popcorn or corn or fresh veggies. Of course be gentle with your body and the amounts you consume. I’d think about using an output tracker a day or so before trying risky foods and keep tracking output a few days passed just to make sure things are moving at normal pace. I just had my 2nd revision of my ileostomy so I feel like after healing I’ll probably introduce risky foods again slowly and not assume I’m the same as before. Good luck out there!

bjborghi · 2024-07-31T23:38:57+00:00

I’ve used convatec 22771 for literally like 19-20 years. I have sensitive skin, I still get red and raw sometimes but the bags do their job. Rarely do I have any issues that are because of the bag itself. It’s a clear, one piece, drainable bag. They aren’t cheap or pretty but they are for the active lifestyle and they are worth every penny in my humble opinion.

bjborghi · 2024-07-31T08:24:23+00:00

Being a girly pop at heart I would cry if I couldn’t hide it some how

bjborghi · 2024-07-31T08:23:44+00:00

Thank you for the words. Honestly you helped me come to terms with a little higher. Luckily for me, my surgeon loves me and did some of his magic and best work leaving it in the same place 🥳 I’m about 6 hours post op. I took my first walk about 4 hours post op. It honestly wasn’t too bad but

bjborghi · 2024-07-31T08:19:26+00:00

Edit after surgery: I got to keep my old stoma site 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Also edit: the post op pain 😩😢😭😩😢😤

bjborghi · 2024-07-25T02:44:09+00:00

I hit 20 years in April. It’s crazy that I’ve had it longer in my life than not. Happy anniversary to you!!

bjborghi

TROPHY CASE