There is nothing I can do to sufficiently thank Trish McNamara for all that she did for me in the dark days following my total proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy surgery. At 40 years old I felt like I was instantly an old man. I had been a very avid weightlifter, hockey player and skier prior to my surgery and I was sure that I would never be again. I was also sickened by the thought of having a bag of stool hanging from my side. I don't know if I have ever been as down or scared in my life. When I was discharged from the hospital and sent home I was broken physically and emotionally. I was sure I would never get back to any real quality of life.
Trish was a Godsend! From day one she was patient with me. I remember the first couple of times she came to change my wafer. Almost every time she came to change my wafer my stoma would begin to discharge. What could have been a very embarrassing situation was not because of Trish's attitude. "So what? It's just poop" Trish would say as she would clean me and my bathroom. She was so patient with me, teaching me how to measure my stoma, how to cut my wafer and how to apply it. Despite the fact that I never thought I would get used to doing those things, I was pretty proficient in just a few weeks' time. Almost every time Trish would come to the house I would ask her the same thing "Will I ever feel normal again?" Trish was clear and consistent "Yes!" I would feel normal again! In those early days I was losing weight rapidly going from a muscular 223 to 185 lbs in 4 weeks. I was feeling very sick due to many factors, including a bad reaction to pain medication. I thought I might be dying and I was scared. Trish was so comforting letting me know that these setbacks were temporary and I would be feeling better sooner than I thought. I can't tell you how important that was! I was searching for hope and she was there to provide it.
Although she was sure not to rush things, she said that there was no reason for me not to be able to get back in the gym, on the slopes and on the ice. I believed her and she was correct! I am physically in better shape now that I was prior to surgery by a wide margin. I am not sure I would have had the fortitude to attempt things I am doing without the encouragement of my family, my doctors, and Trish. Trish was just incredible with my family. Of course my wife and kids and my parents all felt apprehensive about what my life was going to be like now. My family asked a lot of questions many of which I failed to think of in my weakened condition. Trish was very attentive to their concerns and their questions. She made them a part of my transition to my new way of life.
My youngest child, who is 4 years old, would squeal when she saw Trish's car pull up to the house because she was so excited to see her. My 4-year-old instinctively knew that Trish was a kind and caring person who was there to help her daddy.
Trish has made my life better! However, without speaking to other patients my guess is that what Trish did for me is not unique.