The People Who Got Me Through It: Why Support Matters After Ostomy Surgery
Waking Up to a New Reality
When I woke up from a nine-hour surgery, my doctor said, “We got it all” (the cancer) and then turned around, he turned back and went to say something then said “I’ll tell you later,” and walked away. He didn't want to tell me at that moment, he knew it was something I didn't want. When that happened I knew I was in an Ostomy.
A few minutes later, my husband came into the room. I didn’t say hi. I didn’t say I love you. I just looked at him and said, “I’m in a bag, aren’t I?” He lowered his head and said softly, “Yes, honey, you are in a bag.”
That moment is etched in my memory forever. It was raw, emotional, and real. I didn’t know what life would look like from that point forward, but I knew I would need every bit of strength and support I could find.
The Support That Carried Me Through
In those early days, the support I had at home meant everything. My husband, my kids, my family, and my friends surrounded me with love when I felt broken and scared. They helped me rest, heal, and slowly begin to understand this new part of my life.
I also want to give credit to the nurses who cared for me in the hospital. They were the ones who taught me the basics, how to cut my wafer, how to change my bag, and how to take care of my stoma. That first lesson felt overwhelming and empowering all at once. It was the first time I realized that I could do this. Even if I didn’t believe it yet.
My nurses gave me those first tools, and my family gave me the courage to use them.
Seven Days Later
Just seven days after surgery, I did something I don’t recommend to anyone I got on a plane and flew across the country. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t comfortable, but I was determined to feel normal again.
That trip showed me something important: even when everything feels uncertain, I can adapt, figure things out, and keep moving forward. My ostomy wasn’t going to stop me from living. It might change how I do things, but it wasn’t going to stop me.
Finding Strength in Connection
Over time, I found others who truly understood what I was going through. Connecting with the ostomy community changed everything for me. Hearing their stories, sharing my own, and realizing that so many others were living full, confident lives with an ostomy gave me hope.
Community can show up in unexpected ways, through a loved one, a friend, or someone online who simply says, “I get it.” That connection can make all the difference when you’re trying to rebuild your confidence and find your rhythm again.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
If you’re new to this journey, please know that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. It’s okay to ask for help, to take your time, and to lean on people who want to see you thrive. The right support whether it’s a nurse showing you how to change your bag or a loved one reminding you to rest can change everything.
There is strength in asking for help and grace in giving yourself time to learn.
Final Thought
Looking back now, those early days taught me patience, faith, and gratitude. My family’s love, my nurses’ guidance, and the encouragement from others carried me through the hardest chapter of my life.
And if you’re in that chapter right now, please remember, this isn’t the end of your story. It’s the start of a new one, and you’re stronger than you realize.
If this story speaks to you, share it with someone who’s been part of your support system or someone who may need to hear that they’re not alone.
Love,
LeeAnne
