27 Years of Thanks

Hey all! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of the day and my 27th birthday yesterday, I want to share some of what I am thankful for. I am thankful for so many things so I'll share just a few.

There's no other way for this list to start. 

This kid. This boy is what I am most thankful for. He is the reason I get out of bed some days when I'm feeling sorry for myself or feeling like I have forgotten the whole point. He is my motivation to be better than I was yesterday and for tomorrow to be better still. Not to mention, he is silly, fun, challenging, puzzling, heartwarming and reminds me that there's nothing better than playing. 

My parents. I am so thankful to have their support. There's no telling where I would be without their generosity and love. 

My beautiful niece. She is a smart, spunky, and awesome little lady. I am thankful for her existence in my life and in our family. Isn't she adorable?!

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My older sister. I am thankful that we have become close friends. And that she puts up with me calling her everyday to talk about everything.

My younger sister. I am thankful for her love and friendship and her ability to make an adventure out of our time together. 

My extended family. I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I have the best support system.

My grandma. I Know that she could be included in the above. However, I am extra thankful to her. She and Mancub have a special bond that I am thankful for. 

I am thankful for my friends, old and new. For those I have known since childhood and those I catch up with once in a blue moon. I am thankful for all who have helped me shape my life. 

I am thankful for a group of women, most of whom I have never met, who have been in my life for almost four years. We have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, raising newborns to infants to toddlers to preschoolers. We have laughed together, cried together, mourned together, fought with each other and given endless advice. Together, we have trudged through sickness, loss, house fires, divorce and many other obstacles that life throws at us. All through the power of technology. 

I am thankful for doctors and nurses. Especially those who helped me battle for my life and who continue to help me put myself back together. 

I am thankful for the UOAA, Girls with Guts, CCFA and so many other groups who have been resources for me and others who are living with an ostomy or IBD. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving! 

He Can Fly!

Hey all! Wow, have Mancub and I been busy! We took a weekend trip to the Happiest Place on Earth! So I felt like this was a good time to chat about flying with an ostomy!

When we were in Florida at the UOAA National Conference, my sister and I attended a session led by a TSA representative. She talked to us about our rights as travelers and what to expect through security. I have to say, she eased my mind. Basically, you just have to be forthcoming about having an ostomy, especially if you have to go through the Body Scanner, because it will detect it and you will have to have a pat down. Some travelers also reported having to pat where their ostomy is located and then have their hands swabbed.
Well... I was SO READY to face the TSA with confidence.
However, since I had Mancub with me we were allowed to bypass the scanner and walk through the metal detector. Rats!
With security safely behind me, my traveling was smooth sailing. As long as I emptied my bag before boarding and after landing I was fine. It was no different than my flying experiences before surgery.
**Actually, as many of you know, I am a bigger girl. That, plus my stoma being seatbelt level, I did ask for a belt extension for comfort sake. The attendants were very nice and discreet about this request. :-)

If you have an ostomy, and have experience flying, leave me a comment about your experiences!

Marching to the Beat

Warning: This will be a mommy post!

My mancub has decided he would like to be potty trained. He will be three years old in December. Many-a-family-member have been pushing for me to start training him for months. I even tried a three day potty training during the summer that didn't go very well. After our three days mancub was miserable and panicked any time the potty was mentioned and I was miserable and worn down. I had to force myself to take a step back and really think about who my son is as a person. He comes from very stubborn and independent people. He wasn't going to potty train until it was his idea. I had to back off and respect my sons personality enough to know that he would let me know when he's ready. Saturday started out normal. We woke up and ate breakfast then got dressed and came back upstairs to play. While he was playing he found a portable potty seat that hadn't been opened yet. He approached me and told me that he wanted to use it. I told him that big boys who wear undies use the toilet. He was all for it!

I won't be that mom who describes every little detail but things are going very well, so far. I know he might decide that he has changed his mind and there will be some rough days but I am so proud of my boy. 

Three cheers for Mancub!!!

We looked so cute on Halloween, no?