Understanding your feelings
Living with an ostomy will take some adjustment.
You may find yourself struggling with a new self-image, or, perhaps at first, the ability to cope.
HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES THAT MAY HELP EASE THOSE FEELINGS
- Be patient—Don’t be too hard on yourself. Some days will be better than others, and in time you will feel like yourself again
- Keep talking—Talk about your feelings with a loved one or caregiver. You may find that talking makes you feel better
- Try to stay active and in good company—Take up a new hobby or get involved with an activity group
- Use creative work to express yourself—Some people find that writing poetry, painting or drawing, or doing craftwork can be energizing. These things can help focus the mind
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS YOU AND/OR YOUR CAREGIVER CAN DO TO HELP YOU FEEL BETTER DURING YOUR RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY
- Become a well-educated consumer—the more you know, the easier it is to make important decisions about your health. Your ostomy nurse is your first resource. You can also find useful information from support groups and ConvaTec, the manufacturer of your ostomy products
- Meet other people who are living with an ostomy, and meet their loved ones—they can speak about recovery on a personal level. These visits often show how life is after surgery
- Check to see if there is a nearby support group—your ostomy nurse or local ostomy association chapter should have this information
YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT DEPRESSION COULD SOMETIMES SET IN. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:
- Prolonged feelings of sadness
- Grief
- Hopelessness
- Thoughts of suicide
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- Loss of appetite
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Feelings of isolation
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If you notice any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor, ostomy nurse, or a loved one right away.