Hi all
In December 2020 I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, which affected lymph nodes bowels and spleen I also had stage 4 malignant tumour in my small intestine and a blockage so the intestine had to go. I was lucky the surgeon managed to save my spleen. I’m not keen on the medical label and the stoma nurse encouraged me to name . I chose George. I named him after George from the TV show Rainbow I watched when I was a kid. I have a photo of Rainbow’s George on the bedroom door of the room I live in the care home. At 56 I am the youngest resident in the home, the average age is about 90, and I was the first and only resident with an ileostomy. I have little in common with the others so it is a bit lonely. But I always have George for company. Does any of you have name for yours and if so - what?
I wish you peace
M
Hi Onk and welcome to our little bit of the community.
I see you are new here and hope you’ll find it a supportive place where we do like a bit of the lighthearted stuff along with the helpful and advice stuff. I have just read your bio and am astounded at what you’ve been through-what a lot to endure, but your avatar says a lot about you in the face of such an ordeal.
Glad to have you with us here and hope you’ll be able to join in with other threads and get to know us.
Sarah xx
I agree Sarah this is a great group and although I do not qualify to be here.
Im not leaving.
Ha and you can’t make me
Ann
Haha! I wouldn’t want you to leave, not at all, so you’re staying! You have all the knowledge about reversal to share and your experiences with Whoopi so it’s invaluable for us here. Obviously I can’t ever have a reversal but I still like to read the knowledge you share with us.
Sarah xx
I’ve just caught up on this thread, it’s very funny. I don’t have a name for my stoma yet. I have had “IT” since 13th January this year, and it’s here to stay….
I have just returned from my first holiday since my surgeries and treatment. I was lucky enough to go on a Mediterranean Cruise. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I packed so many supplies that I’m surprised I got through customs 
Excess foods and drinks certainly tested me and “IT” however I did discover that during my shower and bag changing a new game with “IT” developed.
Does anyone remember the game Whac-A-Mole? ……….. well let’s just say “IT” decided that this was a game to play in the shower, if you know you know. I laughed out loud at times attempting to Whac that Mole 
I’m finally beginning to embrace “IT” and maybe, just maybe a name might be given in time.
Take care all Liz
Hi LizECG
Sometimes it’s nice just to have a bit of fun! I was certainly very nervous the first time I travelled abroad, but once I got that first trip done I gained a lot of experience and my future trips felt much easier. I too travelled with a LOT of supplies, but better to have too much than not enough.
Whack-a-mole yes indeed so I tend to shower with my bags on to avoid that! A urostomy never stops so it’s very difficult to have 2 stomas kicking off in the shower and not worth the stress for me.
Hope you’ll be able to enjoy many more holidays and that you’ve increased your confidence,
Sarah xx
