Growing up, I was a spry child. I loved to be active and hang out with my friends and spend time with my family. Regardless of my situation, I always made the best of things. I was born needing an ostomy procedure to ensure I live a happy, healthy life. I am going to tell you about why I needed an ostomy as well as how my life was growing up. I hope you take the time and listen.
When I was born, I was born with an imperforate anus. This is a birth defect that affects about one out of every fifty people. This defect generally causes someone to be born without an anal opening or bladder opening. Mainly an anal opening. I was born without an anal opening. When I was born, the doctors told my parents that I would need an ostomy procedure if I wanted to have a good life. Obviously, they said yes without a second thought. I know if I was in their position, I would have done the same thing and would have been horrified to hear that. The procedure did not take all that long, according to my parents, maybe one hour. I’m sure they were petrified in that one hour, however.
My parents explained all of this to me when I was about ten years old. Obviously, I did not understand much of it, but as I have grown up, I have done my own research to learn more about my situation. In school, I never really got bullied, and I’m grateful for that. Every time I read an article about ostomy, the people who had it would be bullied. I made sure to only tell a select few people about my situation, and they never looked or talked to me any differently. I am glad to have been surrounded by such great people. I was a hard worker in school. I made sure to apply myself to each and every lesson that I learned, mainly because I could not play any sports. Regardless of my not being able to participate in school sports, I was still active by working out, skateboarding, and even snowboarding. I always need to make sure I am careful, though, as I do not want to take a hit to my stoma or ostomy bag.
I went to college and made sure to apply myself to all my classes. I wanted to become a doctor to help people who are in need of an ostomy procedure like myself. I was dedicated to making sure I could help people that were like me. When I was finally done with school, I got a job almost immediately at a nearby hospital specializing in ostomy surgeries. As a surgeon with an ostomy, it really helps my patients feel confident about getting the procedure as well.
Growing up with an ostomy bag has not been as rough as some may think. I do feel that I was pretty fortunate to have had it as easy as I did. I never really was bullied, and I was able to stay very active even after my procedure. Going to school to become an ostomy surgeon was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I love helping people who are in a similar situation as me. I have grown to be very confident with my ostomy bag.
Colostomy Health 