Wenda You Decide on a Name?

"Did you give your stoma a name?" A few weeks ago I was on an ostomy support group discussion board where ostomates were responding to this question. There were 84 responses of names that people had give their stoma: Lenny, Fred, Pocket Dream, Butthead, Mrs. Whoopie, Henry, Bridgett, Lilly...the list goes on.

I started wondering why anyone would name this surgical creation.  Curiousity kicked in and I did some more reasearch. I quickly found a post from a woman on another ostomy support page providing an explanation as to why so many play the "name game". She said, "Think of how many people name their cars or the movie Castaway where Tom Hanks named the volleyball Wilson." Giving a name to your stoma can make the process a little easier to deal with and help you come to terms with having this as a permanemnt part of your life.

Clear as mud. I started giving it a little more thought but I wasn't ready to give my stoma an official name. I played around with a couple...Trixie...no....Rupert...no. I put the idea away for awhile.

Last weekend I attended two graduations for my sisters. At each ceremony I received a program of all the hundreds of graduates' names.  When one was announced that I liked, I took mental note. When you really think about it, names hold so much signficance. They can define us and no matter where you hear or read anyone's name, it evokes a powerful feeling that's positive or negative.  The name "Kathleen" must have evoked a plethora of positivity for parents in the 80's, because there's a lot of us out there!

So in true loopdeloop fasion, I digress. I was passing an airplance bookstore en route to Chicago, when the chidren's books caught my eye. My thoughts went to childhood favorites...one that I always loved was "Where's Waldo". The classic series by Martin Handford doesn't offer any literary genius but did provide hours of entertainment growing up.  I remember loving when the series introduced, Wenda. She first appeared in Where's Waldo: The Magnificant Poster Book and always looses (and finds) her camera.  As we were waiting for our flight, I was looking at pictures. Flipping through photos, I was pleased that my ostomy pouch wasn't showing under any of the dresses from that weekend's celebration. My mom pointed out that she was looking for it but was in awe that she couldn't notice it at all.

Then it hit me like Wizard Whitebeards staff...I shall call her Wenda.  When she's alone and unconcealed, in her red and white, the girl sticks out like a sore thumb. However, Wenda is hard to see in the crowded scenes of sports, cavemen, and beaches. So for all you searchers out there, see if you can spot her. I dare you! But if you can, pull a Wenda and loose the camera. ;)