Lovely morning chitchat December 2025

Hi Fleabane, have a lovely time with your guests and a great birthday and Christmas celebration. I've been on the forum for about a year now and most of us are still plodding along and making the best out of what we can still do. We should spare a thought for those not fortunate enough to make it to another Christmas time and thank them for their kindness and support here

Hiya Patrick...ty for ur message  ...I try to pop in now and again. The support and love given on here is wonderful.

Knowing there is support from people who are going through similar trials and tribulations is very soothing.

I am not very good at sharing my woes so I tend to suffer in my own silly world.

I prefer to give than receive. That what I love about christmas  i know its not good for me. 

But I am learning, I love reading what everyone is up to. 

Hoping u have a wonderful christmas

Hugs and love as ever..

Yes we must to much to live for have a happy birthday  for new year eve 

After the madness of shops yesterday, we went to the park with Alfie. The resident swans have moved from the big lake to the smaller lake where the ducks reside. Mum and dad had 2 babies this year, but one was injured, we think maybe by a fox, so the swan rescue took him and we have been told that he has recovered well, but cannot return to the family as they would not receive him back now, and would attack him. The remaining baby is now fully grown and has lost its grey feathers, and is now nearly as white as mum and dad. They are very calming to watch, and a very peaceful encounter after the hectic shops that morning! 

Hi Fleabane, sorry to read about your woes, may they become a distant memory soon and make sure you enjoy your Christmas time 

Merry Christmas TV...great to hear from you.

I am a little better ty...just been a bit mopey. Unusual for me. ....

But yesterday I put my block out ear cans on, shut me eyes, just for 10 minutes and wow...my brain and body just settled.

Made me realise I hadn't been looking after me. Hence body and brain bombarded by over stimulation.

Need to get back into rebalance

I'll get there

Sending hugs and love hope the coming new years is full of happiness and as good health as possible

It's been a longtime everyone, but I'm happy to say I'm back home in time for Christmas! We got home late yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much for the continued thoughts and prayers, the last week have been a roller coaster of emotions and difficult moments, but I reached my goal of being home for Christmas despite the new challenges and increased depression. I was going back through previous posts this morning that I have missed, and I've missed a lot, but I truly hope that everyone is hanging in there for the holidays.

Stella, I read about your appointment, and that your surgery is soon, I truly wish neither one of us had to go through this. It can all be so overwhelming at times, but having amazing support and care from others makes a world of difference. I know you and others on here understand where I'm at in this journey, and I wonder how similar your recovery was to how mine is going. The surgery itself went well, but my adjustment to this has been very hard on me, which I'm sure everyone goes through to a certain extent. My mind is trying to keep the stoma output to a minimum, so I'm not wanting to eat anything.

Following the surgery I've had ongoing issues of being extremely nauseous, and the fact that I'm squeamish doesn't help anything. Did you have issues with increased nausea or not wanting to eat as well? You would think with everything I've been through in my life, I wouldn't be so squeamish, but I am.

I ended up getting a NG tube on Monday morning of this week in order to help with the nausea I'm experiencing and of course to keep my nutrition up. I know it's just going to take time for me to adjust to the stoma's, but I'm just so tired, and still feel really sore in addition to the pain I'm always in. 

Unless I can eventually start eating on my own again, I'll have the NG tube until the amputation, and then see where things go from there. Despite where my current mindset is at, I realize I'm stronger than I ever thought was possible, and that the power of the human mind and body is so intense that it can handle so much more. No matter what my mood will be tomorrow, I'll put on my smile and focus on making amazing memories with my family and friends.

Wishing everyone happy holidays and a Merry Christmas!

~Stacy

Hi Stacy

It is nice to hear from you. Glad you have made home before Christmas, but so sorry to read the difficulties you are having right now. Do you know the cause of nausea? Sometimes it is due to your bowel going on strike as they don’t like to be handled. Are you on TPN? It is a very big adjustment so don’t be so hard on yourself. It will get better over time. Just be kind to yourself. Acceptance will come eventually. 

With the colostomy, I just think it is like wiping your bum but in a different place. I really think it is actually more civilised as I use a closed bag and can change it in 2 mins flat (how long does an average person spend their time in the bathroom daily?). I bought some nice fabric baskets to contain my stoma supplies and have some nice house plants around it so it doesn’t look/ feel too bad when I am changing. 

I have just got the insurance approval for my operation and had a consultation with the urologist. It is grim when they list all the things could go wrong. I try to repeat to myself that

1 Worrying is not preparation, only preparation is preparation.

2 This too shall pass

3 We are stronger than we think we are.

We can do this! 

Happy Christmas to you and your family xx

Hi Stacy, it's great that you have made it home for Christmas, despite the discomforts you are experiencing. I hope you adjust really quickly and can enjoy a happy time with your friends and family in the coming days.

Hi Stacy, you're dealing with a lot at such a young age. You'll be happy to have arrived home in good time for Christmas and you can spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. 

I sincerely hope that you have a wonderful day tomorrow and make wonderful memories for you, family and friends. 

Merry Christmas Stacy ️