Thanks so much for your reply- it really helped just knowing there's other
people out there. To answer your question, I have an ileostomy, and I am
scheduled to have j-pouch surgery in 2-4 months (another thing I find very
scary.)

Tomorrow will be day 3 home from the hospital with my bag, and one of the things
I feel I am struggling with is an identity crisis. I guess I don't really
remember being the Cindy without the bag, and I am not quite sure who the Cindy
with the bag is. (Or how her friends will react to her.) Did anyone else have
this problem?

Along a more technical line, I am debating a one-piece system vs. a two-piece
system. I am employed as a teacher, so I am trying to determine what would be
most convenient. So far my stoma (I've named it Cal) seems to be less active
during the day and more active at night. Any tips from people who have used
either of these systems?

Finally, I was curious about showers. Do you shower with the bag on or off. If
you shower with it on, does that make the flange wear out faster?

And last, I am of course having some body image issues. I was scheduled for a
beach trip later this summer which I am now sort of dreading. Do you find that a
lot of people notice the bag under the suit? And should I care if they do?

Cindy