Oh poo! We were just getting going!

Too much of a strain

I think it is wonderful that these tests (life saving) are offered totally free of charge, and find it quite incredible than anyone should fail to take advantage.
However, I do want to take small issue with the way that being an ileostomist is put over as something that is dreadful.
I had my ileostomy when I was 49 years old (some 27 years ago), as my Ulcerative Colitus was starting to show signs of turning cancerous. I had spent a disastrous ten years trying to control this UC with medication, virtually lost that ten years, as I was so ill for so much of the time.
The ileostomy is obviously not something I would have desired to have, but once I did recover from the rather traumatic circumstances of the op (which became four ops and a week in ICU), probably nearly a year to recover. But then, I found I could do so many things which for so long I had been unable to do. I began to live properly again, and have continued to do so. Very much regret not having the ileostomy much sooner. Yes, I do have to get up two or three times each night to empty the bag, but then also do so to enter my bladder. Whereas I prefer to use loos for the disabled do not have to do so.
I find it worrying that anyone who may be requiring an permanent ileostomy should be put off by negative comments about living with one. Having spent several years on the committee of the local Ileostomy Association - I know how people of all ages live perfectly normal and happy lives after this op.
If any of you know anyone to whom this op. is suggested, I would ask that you contact their local Ia who can send a trained 'visitor' to see the patient to explain how living with it afterwards is perfectly fine. Indeed, I suspect that many of you may actually know ileostomists, without knowing they are so. Most of us do not mention this except to close friends and family. When I was working, I was actually told off by my line manager for NOT having said anything as it was said that I would have ticked off one of the boxes on their medical equality lists.

These tests are definitely worth taking.