Seize the Bag: Life After Colostomy

05/06/2026

04/30/2026

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned any of these before, but if so, forgive me.
1) growths around the stoma- like skin tags or warts. Surgeon says they are normal but if they impede proper fit of the bag, he will remove them.
2) temperature of the skin around the stoma. Sometimes it’s so hot it loosens the bag adhesive. Any ideas?
3) sudden problem with dairy foods. Any ideas?

04/28/2026

My mobility has declined significantly this year, making it hard to move around my home safely and maintain my independence. I’m seeking support to purchase a Vela chair with power wheels and a hydraulic lift, which will help me reach my kitchen, navigate doorways, and care for myself more easily. Your help can make a real difference in my daily life and safety. Please consider sharing or donating if you can—every bit helps me regain my independence. Thank you so much for your kindness! 🙏✨

04/21/2026

Continued . . .
As I watch my ADD evolve, I am constantly reevaluating the tools and strategies I’m using to cope. My best support is my prayer life. I wake up every morning and list three things I am grateful for and pray for God to order my day. Once I am sure of God’s plans for my day, I put those plans into. Co-pilot and it spits out a schedule of activities for me to accomplish those plans.

My lists and checkboxes, schedule from AI all help to keep me on track with God’s plans by helping me remember. I also do daily brain training exercises. I cannot stay physically active so I do my best to keep my brain active.

Alzheimer’s also was not a “thing” when I was growing up. I wonder how many seniors truly have Alzheimer’s and how many might have untreated ADD instead. Perhaps it isn’t that their brains can’t remember, rather their brain can’t slow down enough to process what they do remember.
This would make for some very interesting research, huh? Meanwhile, I’ll just keep praying, listening, and giving my plans to God, and letting AI help with my lists. I want to be a good steward of all that God has given me.

04/21/2026

As is usually the case when one sets out to make an all inclusive list, I neglected two things from my infographic. First is Humor. My sense of humor is definitely one of my most used coping mechanisms. Laughter truly is a great healer. Secondly, I left out another condition I struggle with, although I have no formal diagnosis.

When I was a child, ADD or ADHD wasn’t a “thing”. Oh, but I definitely suffered from it. There was no medication or label for my condition, so I was labeled gifted and bored. There were no excuses for struggles in our house. You did as you were told and if the task was too difficult or overwhelming, coping was the only option.

As I grew up, my ADD changed and my coping skills changed with it. In elementary school, I excelled at anything which involved rote learning. I had no problem memorizing and regurgitating facts. I simply repeated them over and over in my head until they became second nature. My obsession with lists and checkboxes began in junior high, as did my affinity for writing. My diary and my journal were attached. I used both to document my days and help me remember important things. These tools continued to serve me well throughout adulthood.

As I watch my ADD continue to evolve… to be continued.

04/21/2026

I feel like I need to explain my page’s purpose. When I began, I was attempting to share information I’d learned as I was navigating life with a stoma. I was frustrated with the lack of resources available and I hoped my posts would help those in similar situations.
As my posts progressed, I couldn’t help but to share about other conditions as well. This heart image highlights all the conditions I am currently experiencing and how I am able to manage them. If you have any of these conditions, I hope my posts will help.
There isn’t any rhyme or reason to my posts. I post about whichever condition is being more demanding at the time. If you have questions about any of these conditions, message me and I’ll do my best to help.

04/07/2026

It’s been one of “those” days. Everything I tried to do turned to 💩 in a hurry(often quite literally). After several attempts to either get up and get something done or give up and take a nap, I finally put on a Hallmark movie and am waiting for help to arrive. Sometimes it’s just not worth the effort to keep fighting the same battle over and over again.🤨🤷‍♀️