Medical filter

[mitchy]

I have now read back all the medical updates (thaaaaaaank you halcyon_shift) and while it's been made clear I've had surgery, I note that the specifics haven't been mentioned, which was what I expected.

I have had major life changing surgery and now that I'm home, I will want to talk about it. It's not, however, for the faint of heart. I've had an ileostomy and now wear a bag. My reaction to this, after the initial "No way Jose", has been remarkably laid back, to the point I'm wondering if I'm too calm. Hence my need to talk about the daily problems I might encounter and so on. There are support groups and I plan to look into that and I will have weekly support from the local stoma nurses and the District Nurse, so I'm not doing this alone. But nonetheless, the LJ is a valuable venting place :)

To make a short story long, I will be setting up a medical filter for those entries where I discuss the specifics of the stoma and living with a bag. It won't flinch from discussing what I'm dealing with and so I'm making this strictly "comment here if you want to be on it". I won't be offended if you don't. I'll still post general stuff and edited comments on the regular non-filtered LJ so you won't totally miss out. I expect that as I heal and get used to things, the number of filtered entries will decrease, but I might spam a bit in the early weeks, just as a fair warning.

So if you want in, comment here, otherwise I won't add you to the filter. Cheers!

Comments

[cookwitch.livejournal.com]

In. And Janey can knit you A Bag Cover.

[therealsherbs.livejournal.com]

I'm in. I've spent enough time spamming people about my own medical issues (albeit slightly different ones). I'm just glad to see you home and recovering so well.

[blueashke.livejournal.com]

I'm in.

Glad you're home safe babe! :hugs from across the pond:

[jenni411.livejournal.com]

Eh, I'm in.

[doccy.livejournal.com]

I'm in :) *hugs*

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

My friend Jeff had a temporary colostomy for about 6 months. We wrote "The Shit Bag Blues" in honor of him. He'd ask me now and then "Can you see my bag?" I'd be like "yeah, your bag makes you look fat."

The best way for all of us to deal with it was humor and a few of us all learned how to help him take care of the stoma and change bags. It was actually pretty interesting. And, from what I understand, having a colostomy/ileostomy for people with, say, IBS, is wonderful because they have freedom.

So count me in, babe, and if you want I'll see if I can dig up the Shit Bag Blues.

Not to mention all the Mr. Hanky references!

[annuala.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm hardly going to abandon you now. ;-) *hugs* Take that as a "yes." And if I get too squicked out, I just won't read--it'll be all my own fault.

[kemintiri.livejournal.com]

I'm in, babe. *Hugs!*

[adelpha.livejournal.com]

*waves*

I've not been posting/commenting much lately, but it's good to know that you're doing well. I'd be interested in being on the filter.

[dswdiane.livejournal.com]

Yes, I would be interested in how all this goes for you.

[jebbypal]

*huggles you* I'm in. Glad that you are home again! (ps, go look up the new unit episode when you have time! )

[e-musings.livejournal.com]

Hi..I am so glad you are out of the hospital and home! I'm in the filter, if you want me there. I have worked professionally with some ppl who had ostomy bags. Is this a permanent feature of Mitchy life or will it be reversed eventually?

[thessalian.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely in. And glad you're back and doing okay. *HUG*

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, keep me on there.

[trampledamage.livejournal.com]

I would describe myself as faint of heart - but this is life and it's happened, so count me in.

(if it gets too much and I come over all queer I'll let you know :o) )

[cafiorello.livejournal.com]

Keep me on the filter. I'm not squeamish and am willing to provide what support I can!

Cathy

[sanba38.livejournal.com]

Don't post medically explicit photos, and I should be fine.

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

In. Can't always guarantee to be around, but I can read and care, details don't worry me. Very glad you are home safe and sound xxx

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Added you to the filter - there's one post that was made earlier today you'll have to scroll down to catch up on :)

Good to be updated

[katereader.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Hi Mitchy,
I know I'm bad at keeping in touch, but as you are now finding out I do try to keep updated on my old friends. I was very saddened to hear you'd gone into hospital and am happy you're back home and sounding positive.
I want to keep being fully updated on your progress so I'd like to be included in the filter, if that is possible despite me not being a Live Journal user.
Anything you wish for from Sweden, just send me an e-mail reminding me on your address and what you'd like and it shall be sent.
All my best,
Katarina

Re: Good to be updated

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Hey! It's a lesser spotted Katarina! Great to hear from you :)

I'd love to add you to the filter but you need an LJ account :( I can't add non-LJ users, unfortunately. Don't worry though, there'll be plenty of stuff in the public LJ posts about how I'm getting on, so you won't be completely out of touch.

Now don't be a stranger!

*hugs*

[thalinoviel.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I was thinking I'd be too squicked for words, but...

...f*ck it, you're my friend, there should be nothing you can't say to me.

Although I think a knitted Bag Cover would be insanitary. For the record.

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think you're right, very unsanitary :)

OK, you've been added to the filter; scroll back an entry or two and you should see the first post I made to the filter earlier today :)

[thalinoviel.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[felisdemens.livejournal.com]

In!

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Ack, meant to post I'd added you and to scroll back for the first filtered entry! :)