product or method described in this newsletter to make sure it fits with your particular
circumstances.
Welcome to the first December issue in a few years. We discontinued the December issue because of difficulties in mailing the newsletter in time for the December meeting, which was also discontinued due to the busy Christmas season. This year I decided to produce a web-only issue. No delivery problems, just a few getting started problems - I started this publication is a bit late in the month.
I get many newsletters from all over and I would like to pass on some of the inspirational articles and stories I receive. I am also using a different format than the usual newsletter, everything is on one loonng page. I hope everyone who reads this will be gladdened, uplifted and even inspired by these articles.
To everyone out there I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
Bob
On the 2nd day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 2 faceplates and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 3rd day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.
On the 4th day of surgery my doctor gave to me 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 5th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 6th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 7th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 7 feet of tubing, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 8th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 8 sprigs of parsley, 7 feet of tubing, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 9th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 9 drainage bags, 8 sprigs of parsley, 7 feet of tubing, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 10th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 10 irrigation cones, 9 drainage bags, 8 sprigs of parsley, 7 feet of tubing, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 11th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 11 cans of Skin Prep, 10 irrigation cones, 9 drainage bags, 8 sprigs of parsley, 7 feet of tubing, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.�
On the 12th day of surgery my doctor gave to me, 12 friends like me, 11 cans of Skin Prep, 10 irrigation cones, 9 drainage bags, 8 sprigs of parsley, 7 feet of tubing, 6 sheets of diets, 5 karaya rings, 4 shiny clamps, 3 adhesive seals, 2 faceplates, and a pouch for my ostomy.
via Metro Maryland
via Peace District Northern Pouchvine
Nov/Dec 99
TO: Everyone
RE: Christmas Party!!!
DATE: December 1
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit� Barbecue. No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwaanza at this time. Happy now?
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating, drinking and sex during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - the days are so short this time of year - or else package everything for take home in little foil swans. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Did I miss anything?
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party
December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you expect me to do, a tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshiping" employees, but we'll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
Date: December 9
RE: Holiday Party
People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family feuds over the thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day. Could we lighten up?
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party
Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your #$%^&*! salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes.. But you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now!
FROM: Teri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanitarium. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
A positive attitude toward negative situations is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It not only affects how we respond to hardships and difficulties, it can actually help to change the outcome. This can be seen first hand in many ostomates and people who have overcome potentially devastating diseases and gone on to lead full, productive, happy lives. The physical aspect of life may be compromised greatly by illness or surgery, but with a positive mental attitude and willingness to let go of self pity and bitterness, life goes on and can even be enriched by a painful and traumatic experience! Focusing on what we have going for us, instead of what we feel we have lost, can change our outlook for the better. Once we accept our situations, we have a starting point for moving forward. Helping some one else in need is a most healing and rewarding experience for both persons. Keeping a strong sense of humor can prevent bad days from snowballing into bad weeks. Time is too precious to waste on ?if only? and ?what ifs?. What makes me so smart? The caring people who helped me through my difficult time, laid the groundwork for my positive attitude and changed my life forever.
Via: So. NV. Town Karaya
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we get frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're fiustrated that we have teenagers to deal with... We will certainly be happy when they're out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be better, more complete, when our spouse gets their act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a real vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself.� Know this and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time, it had seemed to me that life was always about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to get through, time to be served, some unfinished business, a debt to be paid. Only then, would life begin. At last it dawned on me, that these obstacles were my perceptions. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to share your time and remember that time waits for no one... Stop waiting until you're finished with school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until you get a new home or a new car or until your car and home are paid for, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. And so it is said, work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one's watching.
Via: Ralph Kaye Chapter, San Antonio, TX
Many people fail to enjoy life because they take on more than they can reasonably handle, leaving little time to pause, reflect and enjoy. Ghandi reminded us that there is more to life than increasing its speed. No good point is served in running all the way to the grave. The art of living is not merely to look, but to see; not merely to listen, but to hear; not merely to experience, but to enjoy. Few of us have many great days in life. Most of our days are commonplace and routine. It's not by the great thrill of an occasional triumph that we live most, but by the appreciation and enjoyment of the little joys that come and go almost unnoticed. Little joys like the fragrance of pastry baking, a brilliant sunset, a swiftly moving cloud, the hug of a child, or an unexpected call or letter from a loved one. Henry David Thoreau once wrote a deliberately shocking letter to a friend, advising him not to worry about his health. "For, he wrote, "you may be dead already". Thoreau's bold remark was simply a conviction that many people aren't really alive, because they do not sense the joy of each passing moment. Take time to enjoy.
Hope Healthletter Via: Ostomatic News, Dallas TX