Table 1.

Program Recommendations from Focus Group Comments

Topic	Comment
1. Ostomy Nurse Involvement	It took me the better part of two years until I found this head ostomy nurse at my hospital.
	I was having some kind of a problem remembering. And I called her up and she explained everything. They were real helpful.
	ET nurse is important.
2. Peer Supporter	A woman called me, who was also young, in my age range. And she gave me some different tips about what to do during sex, and what things she bought to cover it up with. She told me about taking something to help with odor problem, and I tried it for a while. Chlorophyl.
	Oh, just the whole idea of adjusting to it–was really helpful, to have somebody who’d been through it, giving me some ideas about how she adapted to it–clothing-wise. Oh, she told me she wore jackets a lot.
3. Support Group / Peer Ostomate	Well, I think, this meeting earlier on, if you get a few people together maybe even before they discharge them from the hospital, and just let ‘em see that they’re not alone and that there are other people like them. I went out of here knowing that I wasn’t the only one with a colostomy.
	I think they’re good for a lot of people for the simple reason that you’ve got a group of people… that have a lot of hints. Not medical, maybe, but things that have worked for them, and things to try, and that sort of thing. So I think it’s an asset.
	Most of those meetings for people, that have the ostomy are like a support meeting. Like they talk to each other and say, “Oh, yeah. How did you do this time? And have you been able to find a boyfriend? Or are you embarrassed to get undressed?” Especially with young people.
	If somebody’s going to have a colostomy put on, have a group session like this. I think it would definitely help a lot of people, especially if they’re young and single.
4. Becoming a Peer Supporter	I think it’s something that we all can give back to the community and to the people who have had colostomies.
	I would say to them, “If you have any questions, or if I can be of any service to you, please give me a call.” I’d give them my number and my name and tell them, “Anytime you need me, call me.”
	People like us could volunteer to coach the person and tell them what to expect and things like that.
	I’d show them mine, and show what it is and how you do it. That’s what I would do if I had even a friend that would ask me, I would tell them.
Spousal Support	My husband was very supportive.
	I think my wife is the one that got me through the whole thing. I would have never ever made it.