By Brenda Elsagher

When I first had my colostomy, I reached out to my local ostomy support group. They understood what I was going through and gave me tips and suggestions. This community talked about a taboo subject, even during dinner!

In 1996, when I attended my first ostomy support meeting, I learned there were other kinds of ostomies and many bowel and bladder diseases. I saw that I was part of a larger community of people with similar but different issues. This group extended to a national level with the United Ostomy Associations of America. The Phoenix magazine, internet blogs and chat lines—even this newsletter—help us share common experiences.

Not a week goes by when I don’t hear from someone who has received one of my books, read this newsletter or viewed my website. One of them even gave me a great tag line for my comedy routine. When Kathleen Spencer of Rowlett, Texas heard the old joke, “It’s not so bad having a colostomy; I just can’t find shoes to match my bag” she blurted out, “You can find shoes—they just look like crap!” I must admit she didn’t use the word “crap,” but with her permission, I have enjoyed using her joke many times. Thanks, Kathleen!

I also hear from Tim Warmouth of Champaign, Illinois from time to time. He was a floor refinisher and had to retire early because of Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. He doesn’t let his ostomy or wheelchair stop him from enjoying his newfound passion for painting. The first day he started though, he threw the canvas in the garage out of frustration. The next day he tried again. It didn’t come easy, but with patience and persistence, it paid off.

“Oftentimes, I think creativity comes out of adversity,” says Tim. “I was too busy trying to be ‘successful’ and didn’t take the time to be creative.” Many of us can relate to that, Tim!

I have also enjoyed talking to Joy Starratt of Middletown, Connecticut who has an ileostomy due to ulcerative colitis. A former therapist, she now keeps busy as a docent at the local museum and is a master loom-weaver. She has been amazingly upbeat, even after her recent chemotherapy. I enjoy hearing about her progress and I appreciate her comments.

I recently got a phone call from Lois Krochmalny of Fairfield, California who received a Mercedes-Benz for Valentine’s Day from her husband, Ed, of 49 years.

“My hair is kind of thin,” chuckles Lois. “So when I go out in the convertible, I borrow my daughter’s pink clown wig!”

She went on to say, “We were reading the last Secure Start issue about the Flatulence Brigade and laughed so hard. If you can’t laugh about this subject you’re in trouble!” Her husband has had a colostomy for almost two years and her daughter Whitney has had an ileostomy since she was a child. Lois wants to find a bumper sticker that reads, “Proud to be a two-bag family.”

There are so many perks to writing this column, and I am grateful to Hollister Incorporated for finding another way for us to connect with one another.

Brenda Elsagher is a national keynote speaker, author of If the Battle is Over, Why am I Still in Uniform? and I’d Like to Buy a Bowel Please! Are you a closet writer? Please submit a funny or inspiring medical story to Brenda for her next book, Bedpan Banter. Go to www.livingandlaughing.com for more details. She also welcomes comments and questions at 1.952.882.9882.