Outdoor Sports and Stomas

There are a lot of things that are different looking back on them now.  Growing up, I often heard the phrase “just wait till you get older”. The main context in which I heard this phrase was while playing basketball. Sports are definitely a part of my upbringing. Being from a town that worshipped basketball, we played all the time. There was no off-season (and come to think of it, this definitely was not a good thing because a lot of us got burnt out by the time we reached out high school years). Not always though because there were benefits to being good on the court and fun things that happened after.

A lot of the time, we played against guys that had already graduated. This could be anyone from 19-50 years old. And no matter what, whenever we would be playing against them, they’d always say “just wait till you get older” (no matter their age). The thing was I had no idea what they were talking about then but I certainly do now.
I’m finally at the point in my life where I have figured out exactly what they meant by that phrase. Wait till you get older when your back, kneck, knees, toes, and entire body just aches and hurts for no reason while playing this sport. There actually is a reason, but it never existed for me just 10 short years ago. I never had any real “pain” while playing sport.  It was just a normal day for me and no reason to understand what they meant.  I was loose, limber, and athletic. But the older I get, the tighter, the stiffer, and the less athletic I feel I am getting.

The good thing is, I’m only tighter, stiffer, and less athletic. Things could be much worse.  In fact I am still happy to be able to actually play.  I feel like that is a miracle in itself.

I could be cinched up with supplies following an ostomy care procedure. I could be having my stool exit my abdomen while trying to play the sport I love. People would certainly run away from me then.  Therefore, I try to see the bright side of getting older, because it could always be worse. I can’t imagine what it would be like to feel the pain I feel while playing basketball AND having to tote ostomy supplies like bags and belts around while running, jumping, cutting, and sprinting up and down the basketball court.

So, for now, I will lean into some perspective and appreciate the pain and annoyances of what your body begins to do as you get older because once again it could always be worse. Proper ostomy care doesn’t yield to any of your hobbies or interests. I am actually lucky to be able to have the best gear that allows me to do what I love.

It is true that I suppose someday, it will get worse and worse and eventually, I won’t be able to play at all. This is why it is very important to appreciate the playing years that I have left in me. I want to make the most out of every opportunity I get to play basketball because a life full of golf only awaits me in the near future. But until then, let’s play some hoops.