Today I’d like to share a topic that’s deeply personal – the role of faith in recovery. Prayer and meditation have both been found to provide great emotional and mental benefits. Studies have shown that people who pray and meditate tend to be happier, more resilient and more resourceful in the face of problems. They are more relaxed and have stronger immune systems, and as a result, are less likely to be sick and are able recover from illnesses more easily if they do get sick.
While I learned many survival lessons from the POWs in Vietnam the way they grappled with the question “Is there a God?” was one of the most important. My illness was a turning point for me and forced me to wrestle with my faith and what I truly believed. Through all the trials I’ve subsequently faced during my life, my Christian faith has been tested, strengthened, and the roots have grown deep to where it is now a central part of who I am.
I would encourage you to take some quiet time today to consider your answer to the question, “Is there a God?” Perhaps speak with your parents, some close friends, or a pastor, priest or Rabbi, and think about the role faith might play in your own life.
Former NFL Kicker
Former NFL Kicker, Walter Payton Man of the Year, Grateful Ostomy Patient
Is there a God?
Sharing my heart with you today and how I answered the question of the POWs, “Is there a God?”
Story of the Day
Meet Jearlean Taylor
Today I’d like for you to meet my dear friend, Jearlean Taylor, a double ostomate (colostomy and urostomy), fashion model, author, motivational speaker and so much more!
Potential Complications
May be preventable if you recognize the warning signs early and take the appropriate action
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). About 25% of patients with a urostomy have a urinary tract infection (UTI) each year. The symptoms usually are fever, pain, and strong-selling urine. Diabetes increases the risk of a UTI.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids each day.
• Eat food and drink fluids that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Examples include cranberry juice, blueberries, peppers, cherries, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A UTI
4. Dehydration. Dehydration is a common reason why patients with a urostomy return to the hospital. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than it takes in.
Signs of dehydration:
• Being thirsty
• A dry mouth
• Decreased urine output
• Dizziness when standing up
• Muscle or abdominal cramps
5. Diarrhea. is common because part of your intestine was removed and re-routed to make the urinary diversion. This can affect the absorption of fluids from your intestine, resulting in watery stools. Vomiting and nausea are also common in the first few weeks following a urostomy. Patients often report having a loss of appetite and experience weight loss.
6. Nausea/Vomiting . following a urostomy, patients sometimes report weight loss, tasting food differently and feeling nausea or full soon after eating. It is not unusual to lose 15-20 pounds after surgery.
Learn more about hydration from our dietitian, Danielle.
7. Problem Solving. You may encounter problems like skin irritation, leaks, no output and others. Click here for more details.
8. Medical Emergencies.Review this list so you will know when to call your surgeon/nurse or go to the nearest emergency room.
Ostomy Life
Accessories
All these products are available from most ostomy suppliers. You don’t need to worry about learning about all of these now. You many never need some or any of them. Click here to learn more about accessories like adhesive removers, bag liners, barrier paste, barrier rings, barrier sheets, flange extenders and more.
Getting to know your ostomy – What could go wrong?
• The swelling in the stoma will continue to reduce slowly over the first 6 weeks.
• The stoma should be red, moist and ideally protruding at least 2 cm (about 0.79 in) above the skin to promote the drainage of stool into the pouch.
• The intact skin around the stoma should not have gaps or separation between the skin and stoma.
• Continue to measure your stoma with a stoma guide when you change your pouching system to make sure you are cutting the right size hole in your wafer. The opening in your wafer should be just slightly larger than the stoma (⅛”). You want to protect the skin around your stoma from much contact with the stool that drains into your pouch.
• Need help from a WOC nurse? Find one HERE or HERE
Embracing Ostomy Life Goals
Goals for Today
Faith resources that helped me
• Take a moment to think back on a difficult period of your life now that you are through it and consider what a difference a change in perspective can make. I promise you – one day you will have the opportunity to look back at your own life and see for yourself how this very difficult chapter in your life changed you and contributed to your own beautiful story.
• Here are some resources that have been helpful in my faith journey:
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.
