A common worry for people with a stoma is that they stand out compared to others, leading some to keep their ostomy a secret - or at least taboo.
However, isolating yourself with concerns and worrying thoughts can be quite damaging. Putting your feelings into words – positive or negative, however difficult, can help to to normalise the situation.
By letting people who care about you in, and allowing them to help you, you will likely make things much easier on yourself. Most people will be happy to support you and will only feel privileged to be included.
A temporary thing
Remember that you will likely only need extra support for a short while in the grand scheme of things. Before you know it, you could have incorporated your new stoma routines completely into your everyday life and importantly are back to doing everything you did before surgery.
The people close to you might never get a second chance to support you like this – so never feel bad about letting them help.
Remember: It’s new to them as well
They don't teach people how to act around someone with a stoma in school, so try to recognise that it is a difficult situation for your friends and family to get used to as well.
They are probably looking for ways to help you, but are may be struggling to figure out where the boundaries are, how many questions they are 'allowed' to ask – and how they should ask them.
Talk to others who share your experience
While many find comfort in talking to their family or close friends, it can also be tremendously helpful to talk to someone with similar experiences about life with a stoma. Ask your Stomal Therapy Nurse if it might be possible to put you in contact with others in your situation.
