If you were given the choice between surgery for colorectal cancer that would leave you with a permanent colostomy or ……death, which would you choose? If you say you would rather die than have to live with a bag then I would have something to say to you.
20 years ago I chose life. For me chemotherapy would not have been effective on the unusual type of cancer I had. Radiation was not possible because I had an auto-immune disease: Systemic Scleroderma. So I had seven hours of surgery and spent 10 days in hospital. I have been a “bag lady” for 20 years. Today is my 71st Birthday.
Happy Birthday to Me! I celebrate every birthday because I am lucky to be having birthdays. Here are the things I would have missed if I had said I would rather die than have a bag.
- I saw both of our children graduate from High School.
- I went back to riding horses after 30 years away from them.
- I saw our son graduate with an Honors Master of Science at the School of Oriental and African Studies at The University of London.
- After 29 years together, the love of my life and I, finally decided it was safe to get married . No need to rush these things!
- I was in the birthing room when our daughter gave birth to our Grandson. I welcomed him to our world.
- I was there when our daughter married a wonderful man at a beautiful ceremony in our home.
- I went from Training Level up to the FEI Intermediare 1 in dressage competition.
- I found my horse of a lifetime in Biasini and we have a marvelous time together.
- Both of my children are now independent adults. They are both people who care about others and treat people of any ethnicity with respect. I am immensely proud of both of them.
- I thank my body for all it has done for me. It recovered from that cancer surgery, it has accepted two replacement hips, it has accepted life without a gall bladder (only a minor adjustment) and it has given me a dramatic and very rare remission from Scleroderma.
I would hate to have missed all those things , those wonderful times, just because I didn’t want to have a colostomy bag. The bag is at worst a minor inconvenience and at best life saver. And let me ask you something else. If you do not know me personally would you have known I was a bag lady?Can you look at these photos of me competing in Florida and know I am a bag lady?
Be honest …you would not have known! So if you or someone you know is faced with having an ostomy support them to say “yes”. Say “yes” to life with a bag! It’s worth it.
HorseAddict 
Thanks for sharing this story!
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wow, you are an inspiration for everyone around. So proud of you.
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Thank you!
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Knew you had the surgery, wouldn’t have guessed about the bag Anne. You are a marvel and anyone who makes a different choice should learn from one who, like you, knows the value of the gift that life truly is
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It was not a hard decision for me to make and the bag is just a adjustment to a different way of doing things. Thanks for the supportive comment Tina😃
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Wonderful story , life is the way to choose always . I am very proud and so happy for you ! You are my hero!
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Thank you so much Janne. I always think of you when I start for dip down and it brings me right back up again.💕
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Happy Belated Birthday! An amazing spirit!
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Thank you Sascha!
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🙂
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So cool, Congrats on a life that continues to be well-lived.
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Tha k you!
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Many happy returns on your birthday and no, I would not have known about you being a bag lady.
All the best for your continued good health 😊
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Many thanks for your good wishes!
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No worries, I’ve been so busy I’ve been away from it too!
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Happy Birthday to you and many more happy years with family, friends and horses – and dogs too. Thanks for sharing your story. Nope. I would never had guessed that you are a bag lady.
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Thank you!
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Happy belated Birthday! My cancer scare didn’t have such severe consequences, but you are right, life is so worth it. So many sadly don’t have a choice.
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Yes many do not have a choice and that is another reason I celebrate getting older. Many are denied that privilege. Thanks for commenting Viola.
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Happy Birthday! Here’s to life! And, I love item #4😂
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Thank you Alli!
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Ok glad you liked that one Alli!
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Wow! Happy birthday!! Good on you for sharing your story!
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Thanks Avery. I am hoping that there may be someone who reads my story who will be encouraged to know there is a good life possible with an ostomy.
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❤
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So glad for you!
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Thank you for taking time to comment Olivia.
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Blimey! For somereason that fact that you were a “bag lady”, as you put it, escaped my notice. You are pretty incredible. Well Done You! Happy Birthday!
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Thank you Emma. I know someone who has a brother in law who has refused to have the bag outcome. I felt I should tell my story so people could know it is not an impediment to a happy life.
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Wow! I’d have taken the bag option too!
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Good! I’m glad to hear that Emma!
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Yes no can find it. Today you showed other side of you in little detail and came closer to readers with your words maa. May the divine power blesses you with more lovely days, lovely life and inspire peoples.
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Thank you Subbashini. I felt it was important to tell my story in the hope that others who may be in the same situation can find some hope. 🙂
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The best part, we have gotten to know you.
Happy B-day, Anne.
🙂
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Thank you David. That is a lovely comment.🙂
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Happy Birthday
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I am so, so glad that you said “yes”. ❤ This world is so much better with you in it, and I am so much richer for having met you!
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Thank you Mary. I have always felt you were a kindred spirit.
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You look as graceful as your fine horse – Happy 71st!
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Thank you Laura! 😊
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Happy Birthday, and thanks for this post — I may direct a few acquaintances to this post (I volunteer in places where they need to see these moments).
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Thank you Cage and I hope the post may be able to help someone. 😊
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Happy birthday Leueen!!
Your courage, tenacity and the support you show your friends is a testament to who you are.
You deserve to be celebrated!
Kindly, Courtney
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Thank you for reading and leaving this nice comment. Good to hear from you Courtney!
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Happy Birthday! You have so much to be proud of.
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Lovely…you deserve the best of what life has to offer. Thanks for sharing. Seize the day!
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Carpe Diem indeed ! thanks for this great comment. I like it!
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Happy Birthday!
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Happy happy 71st birthday dear Anne! I’m so glad you chose life and so grateful we’ve met here too. Here’s to many more happy years to come! 🤗💖 xxx
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Thank you Xenia. I am so glad we met. I have just been reading Between Heather and Grass again and enjoying it so much.
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Great choice, Anne.
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What a wonderful message! Thank you so much for sharing. I will remember this post forever and guide myself or others by what I now know. AND I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!
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Thank you so much Robyn. I hope that you may be able to help someone else to choose the bag and go on to lead a happy life.
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Happy birthday Anne, I wish you all the best!!!
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Thank you !
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Anne, wishing you a very happy, funfilling and healthy birthday 🎂 🎊
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Thank you so much Deeksha!
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And I’m so glad you chose life, Anne. I would not have met you on WordPress!
Happy Birthday!
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Thanks Sandy😃
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Welcome!
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Happy, happy birthday!
To answer your question, I had no idea about your health history or that you wear a colostomy bag. What a wonderful example you set for all of us with various health challenges, bag or no bag!
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Thank you! I know that various health challenges can give us some moments with our riding but we are lucky to have out horses. I actually once had a medical specialist tell me that he thought horses had helped in my survival. I thought at first he was joking but then he told me he was from Bahrain and his family had raised horses and he believed they helped people.🐴
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Happy birthday! And thanks for sharing your wonderful story! 💐
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Thank you Paula and you are most welcome. I am happy to share it in the hopes it may help someone else.
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You had me in tears by number 3. Thank you for sharing & good health!
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Thank you for this lovely comment. 💕
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You are incredible, Anne. I am grateful you chose life because I have had a chance to get to know you through WordPress. For that, I thank you. 😊💙
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Thank you Irene. I am glad I got to know you too and to see you lovely photos that so often brighten my day.
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You write a stunning, open and revealing declaration of a life well chosen and well lived. You toughed out tough choices. To say that you are remarkable is an understatement. You are a life affirming champion, and an Olympian of positivity.
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Thank you and I am honored to be an Olympian of positivity!😃
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In that comment I wrote that you are an inspirational lady, and that I have reblogged your post. People will feel reassured by it.
Happy birthday my dear friend 🎂🍾🥂❤
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Thank you Susie I got it but was late approving it. Thanks for the reblog. I hope it will help someone.
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I know it will. I am lucky to have you as a friend 😊
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And I am lucky to have you as a friend. We are a couple of gals who are living the fit life and keeping our chins up.
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Always doing the best we can under different circumstances 😊❤
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keep kickin it darlin, you are an inspiration. Smile, sweat,, laugh and live!!
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Thank you!😃
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My comment isn’t here.
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You are the most inspirational person I know. Happy birthday to you. I reblogged this post as I know it will help many people. Much love. ❤🎂🍾🥂
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Thanks Susie. I was slow to approve your comment as I was on a video chat with my daughter and grandkids.
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You have another comment from me 😊
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Oh my goodness, I had no idea and YES!! It’s a life saver and my cousin had to have one too! No one would ever know, and what an AMAZING story of success and all that you have been able to experience!! Happy Birthday to the most genuine, kind, strong and best of all inspiring woman!! ❤️🎂💐 Here’s to many, many more WONDERFUL birthdays! Love, Diana ❤️💜💚❤️
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Thank you Diana for this wonderful comment. I am slow in replying as I took the day off completely yesterday from blogging.
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No, I would have never known!
Wish you a very happy birthday and health! Enjoy everything 🤩🥳🤗💕🌸🥳 🎂
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Thanks Ribanna😃
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Have a happy birthday, Anne. Enjoy ~ George
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Thank you George!😃
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Many Many happy returns of the day 🎂🎉 great lady ,🙏I am so happy 🤗
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Thank you!😃
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Many Many happy returns of the day🎂🎉 great lady 👌👌
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What a terrific affirmation and so many causes for celebration! Congratulations!!!
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Thank you Robert. It’s a great day to be alive.
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