Let’s have some fun today! First, I want to share a little story with you to remind you to focus on what type of “life” you have a chance to build. I hope you can find yourself choosing to “build a cathedral” instead of just carving a rock.
And then, let’s talk about the power of music in your recovery. If you have never been in a locker room, I will bet that you have seen one on TV. They can be as raucous and loud as a rock concert with guys yelling and music blasting. We used music to help break up the pregame jitters and bring us all together but also in the postgame celebration after a big win. When I played in the NFL, the “pump it up song” in the San Diego Charger locker room was often the Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. I can still sing it from memory…although you would NOT want to hear my singing!
It’s the eye of the tiger
It’s the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger
Research has shown that music has a bunch of health benefits from reducing pain to relieving stress. Find the music that moves you and crank some tunes!
Former NFL Kicker
Former NFL Kicker, Walter Payton Man of the Year, Grateful Ostomy Patient
Build Your Cathedral
Hundreds of thousands of people just like you have built extraordinary lives after their ostomy surgery. What kind of life do you want to build?
Ostomy Life
Partying with your ostomy
• All this talk about good music may have you longing to get out and have some fun at a party. Bringing back our nutritionist, Danielle, to tell you what to be aware of when you drink alcohol with your ostomy. → Watch the video.
• Make your own Recovery Playlist. Here are a few favorites suggested by some of our fellow ostomates:
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
We are the Champions–Queen
Harder Better Faster Stronger—Daft Punk
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
I’m Still Standing—Elton John
Brave- Sara Bareilles
When You Believe- Mariah Carey
Imagine- John Lennon
Skyscraper- Demi Lovato
Firework- Katy Perry
So What- Pink
Dream On- Aerosmith
Can’t Hold Us- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
It’s My Life- Bon Jovi
Not Afraid- Eminem
Don’t Stop Believing- Journey
What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong
All You Need is Love- the Beatles
Man in the Mirror- Michael Jackson
Hero- Mariah Carey
Livin On a Prayer- Bon Jovi
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
This is Me – Keala Settle
Burning Heart- Survivor
The One and Only- Chesney Hawkes
One Moment in Time- Whitney Houston
Winner Takes it All- Sammy Hagar
The Warrior- Scandal
Hearts on Fire- John Cafferty
When The Going Gets Tough – Billy Ocean
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now- Starship
Never Surrender- Corey Hart
The Climb – Miley Cyrus
Fight Song – Rachel Platten
All Star – Smash Mouth (chorus)
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves (chorus)
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
A Touch of Grey – the Grateful Dead
Limitless – Colton Dixon
Story of the Day
Meet Colin Moore
Today I have a very special friend to introduce to you, Colin Moore. He is the Director of Making Things Happen at Embracing Ostomy Life and has been instrumental in creating all of our wonderful resources.
Potential Complications
Be vigilant so you can stay out of the hospital
These potential complications may be preventable if you recognize the warning signs early and take the appropriate action.
1. Dehydration. One out of three ileostomy patients will be readmitted to the hospital for dehydration within 30 days of their operation. Learn how to stay hydrated here.
Learn more about hydration from our dietitian, Danielle.
2. Skin problems. Peristomal skin is the skin surrounding your stoma and should look and feel just like the skin on the rest of your abdomen (not irritated or red). Learn more about how to care for your peristomal skin and catch any problems early so they can be addressed.
3. Hernia. This happens when an organ or other tissue pushes through your abdominal muscles and creates a bulge. Since having ostomy surgery increases your risk of developing a hernia, you will want to follow these guidelines:
• Limit your lifting to 5-10 lbs. for the first 4-6 weeks post-surgery (or as directed by your surgeon) and always use proper lifting technique.
• Support the area around your stoma if you sneeze, cough, or laugh by squeezing a folded blanket or pillow.
Learn more about hernias and how to protect yourself here.
Hear Nurse Melody talk about hernias and how to prevent them here.
4. Problem Solving. You may encounter problems like skin irritation, leaks, no output and others. Click here for more details.
5. Medical Emergencies.Review this list so you will know when to call your surgeon/nurse or go to the nearest emergency room.
Getting to know your ostomy – What could go wrong?
If the skin around your stoma is exposed to stool for an extended period it may become raw and weepy. The open moist skin can prevent the barrier/wafer from sticking to it.
The “crusting technique” using stoma powder and alcohol-free barrier wipe/spray can create an artificial scab over the weeping open skin and allow the adherence of your barrier wafer. To learn more about “crusting” click here.
To troubleshoot why you have moisture or leakage under your wafer/barrier, click here.
How helpful was today’s message for your recovery?
We offer our sincerest thanks to Joan Scott — a kind ostomate and brilliant writer — for allowing us to include excerpts of, her book, “The Ostomy Raft”, in Alive & Kicking. To purchase a copy filled with tons of practical tips for living with an ileostomy or colostomy, click the button below.
Rolf Benirschke is a former NFL Man of the Year and All-Pro placekicker who played 10 seasons in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers. His career was briefly interrupted when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease that required ileostomy surgery in his third season. Remarkably, Rolf returned to play seven more years with the Chargers, becoming the first ever professional athlete to play with an ostomy appliance. He has been an outspoken champion of the ostomy community for the past 40 years and created Embracing Ostomy Life™ to provide the hope, education and encouragement to ensure that no one goes through ostomy surgery alone.
Join Team HOPE
Do you wish you could connect with someone like you who has an ostomy and similar life goals? You can! Our Team HOPE (Helping Ostomates through Peer Encouragement) program can pair you with a volunteer who has an ostomy that will listen, empathize and suggest resources to help you along your journey.
