Stoma?

Okay, scary part is over. Phew! That was much harder to write than I thought it would be.
I think I'll take a quick moment to explain what a stoma is. Or, at least what mine is.

I have an end ileostomy. The ileum is the very end of my small intestines that the doctor pulled to the surface of my abdomen and folded the ends over and stitched to my skin. This lovely little lump of intestine sticking out is called a stoma!

Since surgery, my quality of life has definitely improved. The flare ups are gone and "knock on wood" I haven't even gotten a cold!