I am a formula one pit crew member, and I have had a colostomy procedure and now carry an ostomy bag with me where ever I go. My life was great and still is to this day. I do not really think about it unless I do a movement and feel the strain in my abdominal area. I operate the wheel gun. This means when my driver comes in for his pit stop, I use an over-engineered impact gun to take the wheel nut off then back on. This job is quite stressful because if I do not get the wheel nut on tight enough, there is a chance my driver could lose his wheel mid-race, causing an untold kind of accident.
I had to get my colostomy procedure after an accident in the pit lane. After getting my driver’s wheel on the cable providing air to my impact got caught in the wheel, and I did not notice. After he was given the all-clear to drive, I got pulled along. I let go after I realized what was going on, but it was too late. There was another car coming down the pit lane, and I got the front right wheel to my stomach at fifty miles per hour. This unfortunate accident caused the race to shut down shortly after I was rushed to the hospital. When I got there, and my doctor saw me, he told me the bad news. I would need to get a temporary ostomy procedure if I wanted to be able to have proper bowel movements and for my wellbeing for the time being. I solemnly agreed to the surgery but feard I was done as a pit crew member.
When I woke up from my surgery, I asked my doctor if I could still do my job as being on a pit crew for a Formula One team has been my dream for since I could remember. He told me I could so long as I am careful so that nothing like this happens again; he did not have to say that to me twice. I spent a week in the hospital before I was released. While I was there, I learned as much as I could about my new situation and how I can better myself and learn to live with it.
Getting back to work was the best-case scenario. I was so happy when I returned. Everyone on the team had so many questions. I know ostomy patients keep it private, but I was open with the team; they are like my family, and I knew they would not look at me differently, and I was right. If anything, they thought I was a badass with my new pouch. They, like myself, were amazed and relieved I was able to get up and walk away from such an incident like that.
Having this ostomy pouch for the last few months has been an adjustment, but I generally forget about it unless I move too quickly carelessly. My job requires me to be fast, so this has been a minor setback, but I’m still able to keep up with the other three impact operators, which are essential for me to keep my job. I will do anything to keep this job. It has been my dream, and now that I am here, I will do anything and everything I can do to ensure I keep it regardless of my situation.
Gastrointestinal Health 