Hey everybody, the translation project is continuing and I have a new video with Catalan subtitles: the video describing my first surgery. More Catalan videos to come. If you know anybody in Spain who might benefit from these videos, please let them know! I know Catalan is not the most popular language in the world but the people who speak it still get ulcerative colitis.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Lisa, founder of ostomysecrets has had her story featured in local news. This short video is worth checking out to get an idea of how somebody can turn a medical problem into an inspiring business for others. If you have an ostomy or know somebody with an ostomy be sure to share her website with others.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
A new research study by the University of Michigan Health System finds that patients who have temporary colostomies are generally less happy than patients with permanent colostomies. And the reason is simple: people with a temporary situation hope for a better future, and consequently postpone getting on with their life in the present. Conversely, patients with permanent colostomies know there is no changing their situation, so they deal with it and move on.
This study confirms what I’ve been suspecting for awhile now: that those with temporary ostomies have a harder time managing them and dealing with body image issues than those with permanent ostomies. Certainly this isn’t true in all cases, but in a significant number from my experience talking with others.
This video from the U of M features the researchers talking about their findings.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: If you live with a temporary ostomy, does this study describe you? Reply to this post and continue the dialogue.
All of us have had colonoscopies, but how many of us were awake when it happened, or saw a video of it afterwards? If you are curious about the inner workings of the colon, intestine, and the rest of the digestive tract, check out this video website for gastroenterologists called the DAVE Project. “DAVE” stands for Digital Atlas of Video Education and features hundreds of videos from scopes done through the body. There are videos of every type of colon and digestive problem you can think of. There are videos for colitis and for various other problems that one may develop in the course of his or her disease.
Only those with an iron stomach and an intense curiosity of such things should visit the site. I can’t stand to watch the videos for more than thirty seconds, but some might find it interesting.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
A new video is available, and this one is a little different than most I’ve done. In this video I take a step back to ask about questions of faith as they relate to ulcerative colitis. Specifically, does God cause ulcerative colitis, and if not, why doesn’t He heal us? Also, how does having ulcerative colitis affect one’s life of faith? I don’t have many answers to these questions but certainly they are questions many people ask themselves.
Some interesting discussion is already taking place on the YouTube page, so if you want to check it out double click on this video to go there. Or, comment to this post and start a discussion with others reading this site. Everybody’s views are welcome, just try to be respectful and understand that not everybody is at the same place spiritually.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: How has inflammatory bowel disease affected your relationship with God? Reply to this post!
Hey everybody, I’ve got a new video here for the Translation Project, the two-part video on how to change an ostomy appliance. This video is my second most popular so it’s great that the Spanish-speaking world can now understand it.
Thanks once again to Martin for translating this video.
If you want to get involved with the project, send me an email telling me which languages you are proficient in and we’ll go from there. Upcoming are more videos translated into Catalan, and hopefully German as well.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada has decided that November is Get Gutsy Month. This is an ongoing project by the CCFC to raise awareness about Crohn’s and colitis, and to recognize individuals who have the guts to live in spite of their diseases.
If you’re a Canadian who knows somebody who lives passionately in spite of IBD, consider nominating them for the Gutsiest Canadian Award.
All throughout the month chapters of CCFC are holding education symposia and fundraising events, so there’s no reason not to get involved.
They’ve also produced this video highlighting Canadians with IBD, particularly a young boy and hockey player Fernando Pisani.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
How do you avoid thinking about this incurable and debilitating disease? Is it even possible? With flare-ups, medicine, hospital visits, and everything else that comes with having inflammatory bowel disease, it’s hard not to have this disease constantly on your mind.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
You are currently browsing the The United Colon Vlog blog archives for November, 2009.
