Craig's Story

I have just discovered Shaz's site and have started reading the stories. The story about Andrew prompted me to write this story.

I am also writing this story on behalf of my Son, Craig, who is an ostomate and has been since 1978 when he was fifteen months old.

Craig was born with the front wall of his bladder sitting out on his stomach. He also had a broken pelvis and double hernias. Apart from all that he was a very healthy baby weighing in at 7.14oz.

I don't remember too much of those first few days as I was pretty traumatised by it all as we had never had any sickness in the family. I had wonderful family support and a lady at the hospital called Shirley - Shirley was my guardian angel and if it hadn't been for her patience and understanding I am sure I would not have survived emotionally through those first few months.

Craig's first operation (he had 15 in all) started when he was three weeks old That particular operation lasted for 10 hours plus 3 in recovery (that was the longest day of my life). Unfortunately this surgery did not work and when he was 15 months old they performed a urostomy - which Craig has had ever since.

Between the ages of 3 to 5 Craig loved to shock people by letting his bag fill to near overflowing and then let it drop down below his shorts he had a very healthy sense of humour!!!

Before Craig started school we had many a conversation about whether he wanted all the kids at school to know that he had a 'bag'. We unanimously decided to tell none of the kids just the Headmaster and teachers. He would use the staff toilet to empty his 'bag' and change for swimming there as well. The staff at Craig's primary school were excellent - he had many a leaking bag and they were always very supportive of him, kind and understanding. I would always go and pick him up bring him home, shower him, change his 'bag' and take him back to school - the exercise usually took about twenty minutes.

Over the years he has had many operations and had to have quite a lot of time off school - which made things very difficult for him. He has never told many people about his ostomy because as he says he doesn't really think about it as it has always been part of his life. There are a few of his very close friends who have known for many years and they have been wonderful support to him both in hospital and out of hospital.

His 'bag' has never stopped him from doing anything, he has been a very keen cricket player and soccer player and in fact used to go away every year playing cricket.

Craig has grown up to be a wonderful loving and caring son - he enjoys life to the full, has a wonderful circle of friends and those people who have the pleasure of meeting him are very fortunate.

He works full time driving B-Train Rigs all over New Zealand and loves the life and meeting people. He hopes to travel one day but at the moment is loving seeing his own Country.

Craig has always been very matter of fact about his 'bag'. He has just got on with life, never blamed anyone for the way he is and never used his 'bag' as an excuse not to go to school, parties or anything else.

I, too, like Andrew's mother, wished Craig didn't have to go through all that he has and would have given my right arm for things to have been different - but they aren't so we just all get on with it. Twenty three months after Craig was born, Rachel arrived all in one piece!! - I'm glad to say - and now we not only have two wonderful children but Rachel has produced a beautiful daughter of her own who is the apple of Craig's eye and can often be seen sitting up high next to him in his truck.

Cheers Diane

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