Posts

13 Year Anniversary since my surgery

Today marks thirteen years of my surgery. Through the past years my emotions have often been conflicting. Exhilarating relief followed by recent experiences of depression, anxiety and loss of self esteem. I am a work in progress. When I shared my symptoms and experiences, someone asked me "But where do you see yourself  in 5years from now". At that moment all I wanted was to feel accepted, understood and a sense of personal peace. But personally I didn't see myself in the same position, especially at work.  After several months of sleepless nights and repeated thoughts that lingered on my mind, I can finally say that I'm much at peace. Ultimately I decided to retire from my stressful nursing career and nurse my own health needs. I will always be a nurse at heart with all the wisdom, knowledge and experience I have gained for more than 20 years.  I'm retiring with a successful gain of completing my Masters Degree in Nursing Health Science. Today, 13yrs post surgery

When the path of your season is altered

So often in life we set ourselves for great goals and expectations. When we do not achieve those goals, we feel like failures, sad and mostly shattered. Dont  set impossible goals and allow your expectations to be realistic. Be honest and truthful to yourself, life happens and all your goals may not be achieved. We are all emotional beings. DON'T allow yourself to be fully shattered, use your experience to be a better human. So when your life goals are altered in the season and your path changes, embrace the change even challenge. Use every challenge, failure, inability to strengthen yourself. The knowledge, experience and wisdom would essentially help you and also impact others.  Share your experience and don't feel guilty for being sad at times because with sadness comes gratitude. The quality of your life is determined by how you embrace the moment of your altered season. YOUR body, YOUR mind, focus on Now. You have no control of tomorrow. Live in the moment of your altered

2022 Prayer Message

  I pray that as you begin the Year with purpose and grace, You will finish it in victory. May you know only Joy, peace and prosperity.  And may God's everlasting Favor be upon you.  I commit you to the Lord.  That you may be directed in The righteous path of God And drawn closer to him.  May your hands be blessed And everything you do be blessed And everything you do be good and pure. In the mighty And wonderful name of JESUS....... Amen 🙏🏻 Mom.... R. R

Self Acceptance

Hello and welcome to blog 5. Please support my blog and comment. Almost 2 weeks ago I visited my gastroenterologist for a consult. Dr spent a great deal of time explaining in detail my condition, leading to possible reasons to my surgery 12 years ago. We discussed my diet, my symptoms, social interactions with family and friends and work. The most important point I grasped from our communication was ACCEPTANCE. From being a fully functional individual to having major lifestyle modification due to constraints/limitations that my condition of having a j pouch has impacted on my daily life. Further more there is no reversal or alternative surgery. Acceptance of my symptoms and living life at my comfort. Acceptance alone would take time, followed by  understanding and a lot of support. I am grateful to have spoken and discussed my challenges to my gastroenterologist. For the first time after a very long time I had the reassurance that someone supported and understood my circumstances. 

Motivation for today

ACCEPTANCE Is about embracing changes And looking ahead to what Makes you strong and com plete...                                                                                                                       R . N 🦋🦋

J pouch

 Good morning. Welcome to blog 3 The difference between a j pouch and an ileostomy, is that a j pouch is found on the inside of the body and collects waste in the pouch. The elimination process is normal through the anus. While the ileostomy pouch is found on the outside of the body and collects waste. An individual needs to empty their colostomy bag 6-8 times per day. A person with a j pouch may pass 5-8 stools per day or more depending on their diet sensitivity. The challenges I have experienced having a j pouch for the past 12 years are: bloating, cramps, noisy rumbling sounds of my j pouch. The rumbling sounds are very embarrassing especially when you are in a meetings, in the company of family and friends. The sounds are audibly loud. My normal day would start of with up to four visits to the bathroom or until I feel that my j pouch is empty. This is besides the early morning visit to the bathroom around 1am. With a busy working environment it has been difficult to maintain a prop

Life without a colon

 Hi. Welcome to my blog. Thank you to all who have read my 1st blog. Please follow or leave a comment! My spirits have been uplifted just to share my story. I have been contemplating for so long to do this, and here I am today sharing my second blog. As I mentioned I was not prepared  enough for the days to come. I wanted so badly for my surgery to be a success and to continue with my with life. My recovery period was difficult, I had to literally look at myself in the mirror and say to myself "You are not going to give up".  My daughter was my little helper, she would ask me to wait for her when she got back from school so that she could help me with changing my colostomy bag. I knew then that as much as I needed her, she needed me. After my second operation the j pouch restoration, that's when the new normal started.  I accepted the new normal, firstly because I was in denial and secondly because I wanted my life back. Accepting the new normal has not been easy.  Having