Last Week I was listening to the Karen Hunter show on my way home from work. I love to hear about all the positive things that she is doing in the community and the information that she provides. The show is well rounded; she does technology, wellness and finances. On Fridays she hosts foolishness Fridays which I think is hilarious. Last week for wellness Wednesday she had on doctor Hadiyah Nicole Green from the Ora Lee Smith cancer research foundation. This really sparked my interest in what is going on with them. They are raising money to start clinical trials and cancer research. After listening to her I became determined that I would follow up and support her efforts by sharing my book Crohn’s Interrupted 7 Steps to Love Your Ostomy. Because, as a result of rectal cancer many people end up with an Ostomy. 120,000 Ostomy surgeries are performed annually. But one of the things that really broke my heart, was a male caller who shared his story about having anal cancer. He said that unfortunately he was going to have to have surgery that would result in him having to wear a perminent bag. He sounded dejected and hopeless. Both Karen and Dr. Greene gave him their sympathy, for him having to wear a bag for the rest of his life. They both wished him luck and courage. Well, he will actually need both. And this is why I need to be out front doing Ostomy awareness. Because I understand first hand the journey to accept and love your ostomy. He will need a little bit of luck and a whole lot of courage for the journey that is ahead of him. I wanted to jump through the radio, to offer him support and encouragement. This is why I came out of the closet; to advocate and speak for those of us who are faced with wearing a bag. I immediately pulled my car over Googled the number to contact the show. I waited on hold for 15 minutes, however the segment was over and I did not have an opportunity to speak to Karen and her audience. Maybe one day! But I really wanted to reach out to that gentleman who called, to let him know that all was not lost. When you are faced with having to get an Ostomy of any type, the news is devastating. You are petrified, anxious, unsure and a myriad of all types of questions run through your head. How am I going to live? Why me? How am I going to tell my family and friends? What am I going to tell them? Will I ever be able to work again? What will people think about me? Am I going to smell all of the time? How am I going to manage all of this? And the list goes on and on and on. But I want people to understand 3 things. The 1st is you are not alone. There were 450000 people in this country with an Ostomy . Many who live in shame and secret. 2. 120 ,000 people get ostomies every year, so he would be joining a huge group of survivors. Adjusting is a mindset. Sometimes itp just takes a small mind shift a little at a time. 3. I created a resource to share that which I wish I had. The resource that will help you to understand the journey you are about to embark on, from a survivors point of view. Please read it, it will help you transition into this new normal that you are going to experience. And if you need additional support, please schedule a free consultation at Crohnsinterrupted.com.
Many blessings. #Karenrebel #KarenHunter #ccfa #Ostomy #LoveYourOstomy #CROHNSINTERRUPTED #livinglifetriumphantly
