Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Area Ostomy Support Group

...But makes it great for us! Happy Sunday ... who's watching the game tonight? I'm rooting for Bengals just because of the young QB.

The great debate.... even before my ostomy I was the right way 🤭... over. Now I have to have it this way for ease of bag cleaning. How about you?

Happy Sunday folks. I really need to be more active. I should go read this book.

Yes please

My Stoma Saved My Life – But Really Damaged My Mental Health

Know you're not alone...
https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/ostomy-bag-mental-health-impact

My Stoma Saved My Life – But Really Damaged My Mental Health It's always about what it looks like but they don't focus on the anxiety around it or the depression that can come with the whole experience.

Newsletters

Alright everyone - here is the link to the February Newsletter.

http://www.iowaostomy.org/2022.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

It's been a bit since posting ... hope everyone is well this New Year. Just thinking of this ... grateful my Chumley behaved during my shower bag change this evening instead of my normal morning shower.

Donations come in waves ... let me know if you use or need any of this.

Got a decent supply donation ... anyone interested in this? I do use the Convatec but I can share.

Been pretty quiet ... anyone want to play?

Mine is in comments.

Happy Halloween everyone

Newsletters

The October 2021 newsletter is posted

http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

Got this proclamation for Saturday's Ostomy Awareness Day. City of Coralville recognized for us.

World Ostomy Day T-Shirt

Anyone want a shirt for 5 bucks and free shipping for ostomy day? Checkout code ostoME for free shipping.

https://www.ostomysecrets.com/products/world-ostomy-day-t-shirt/?campaign=WODShirts21&_cldee=Z21hcmllMTk5M0B5YWhvby5jb20%3d&recipientid=contact-b2196a7e5738e911a976000d3a233b72-37561fb052994d9ba9d9599b5185acb1&esid=3b4b789f-c411-ec11-b6e6-000d3a1179fc

World Ostomy Day T-Shirt Celebrate World Ostomy Day on October 2nd, 2021, with a commemorative t-shirt supporting ostomates rights. Then on World Ostomy Day, October 2nd, snap a selfie in your shirt and share to social media using with and . Learn more about World Ostomy Day

20th Anniversary of 9/11 ... makes is all reflect back to that day. But we also all have ostomy anniversaries...kinda appropriate this popped up on my personal page memories today so I thought I'd share.

Life Begins with an Ostomy
By Dr. John Irelford, Ostomona News

Life begins with an ostomy. Crazy, you say? OK, let's analyze. Before you were told you would have to live with an ostomy, how often did you reflect on life, your family, the environment, the beauty and wonderment of a sunrise, or the magnificence and beauty of a sunset? For the first time, you experienced the possibility that your brief visit to this life might end. Suddenly all your senses became heightened. The appreciation of living and staying alive became real to you. Think back to all the time one wastes—sitting doing nothing, silly day-dreaming, arguing about nothing, putting off to the next day, worrying about things that never come to pass, etc. Never before does one wish that he/she could have the time for things that are important, to accomplish tasks, mend personal relationships, and most of all—make peace with God. Life and the meaning of life come into clear focus, and the frivolous aspects of life fade out of sight. Each person reacts differently to these realizations, some positively, others negatively. Some adjust and live, others lament that which may never come to pass—and they die. Since we only visit this earth once, it is important to make every moment count. A moment wasted can never be recaptured. An ostomy gives you a second chance to assess priorities and start living the important side of life…to enjoy each day for itself…to not waste a moment. An ostomy opens the blinds…and lets the sunshine into your life once more

Newsletters

Link to newest newsletter. September meeting will be virtual - and a speaker is planned to be there talking about nutrition.

http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

Hollister donation overload. Getting ready to post to eBay but if anyone local uses these I can sure get them to you.

In case anyone is interested

Newsletters

August newsletter is available

http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

7+ years with my ostomy...could never go on vaca before due to UC

West Midlands 'Stoma Cop' inspires another man with Colitis to join police force | ITV News

Sure enjoy seeing these stories
https://www.itv.com/news/central/2021-07-26/west-midlands-stoma-cop-inspires-another-man-with-colitis-to-join-police-force?fbclid=IwAR3k_sghfifvzqvSfIyNyv4NEtKgzNQpF7g3rpkxH2Bf15vbl-uF-n13DKc

West Midlands 'Stoma Cop' inspires another man with Colitis to join police force | ITV News A traffic officer with West Midlands Police who had his colon removed due to having Colitis has inspired another man with the condition to join the force. | ITV News Central

Seven years

So much I need to do but fighting dehydration from probable partial blockage. Tired as well from up every 90 minutes or so overnight.

Want to support the group...it's easy shopping on Amazon website or in the app. Can't find us .. ask me .. it can be difficult to find our group but once set up it is automatic.

More supply surplus ... Convatec...local and need ... let me know.

Local peeps ... anyone use these and need them?

These are all Coloplast

Newsletters

So excited to post the newsletter and let you know we can meet in person - but I will still have zoom going. Details here:
http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

Had a zoom meeting with the new UOAA board tonight. Hoping to continue meeting. I do know they will start quarterly sessions...first one in June. More info when I get it. Sounds like a good added resource.

Oh goodness.... I love our meetings but this is really cute. Never use our meetings for an excuse.

Newsletters

The May newsletter is posted ... you can read it here if you don't get it by email.
http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

We are so fortunate to have some at every hospital here. So many don't have access to them. Not sure we have any on here but ty if we do.

Hello everyone - posting the link to the April newsletter. It has info on the meeting in April and I will post the link to that in the meeting itself come the night before or day of the meeting.

http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters

Finally the first newsletter for 2021 - posted out on our website.

http://www.iowaostomy.org/2021.html

Newsletters Read current and past newsletters from the group.

Oh ... Bernie is supporting us now. People have too much time. Lol