Love love love!!! I ordered a blue and a black one. They are nice thick material (good quality unlike the flimsy hospital gowns) and should fair well in the birthing process.
]]>Very excited about this! My delivery date was pushed up and I was worried this would not arrive on time! I am so happy it’s here! I love all the items that I purchased!
]]>Very excited about this! My delivery date was pushed up and I was worried this would not arrive on time! I am so happy it’s here! I love all the items that I purchased!
]]>In this edition of Giftgowns' Hospital Experience Series, we're talking with Molly, an ostomy warrior who's raising awareness and fighting the stigma around ostomies!
The Basics
Name: Molly Atwater
Location: Virginia
Social Media Handle(s): @MollyOllyOstomy
Tell us More!
Giftgowns: Tell us about yourself!
Molly Atwater: I am an ostomy WARRIOR! I was born with chronic constipation that just kept getting worse and worse as I grew up - I thought that constant abdominal pain and nausea were normal. In October 2016, I was hospitalized with Runner’s Colitis that effectively shut down my colon and rendered it unusable, so I underwent ileostomy surgery in June 2017. Since then, I’ve also been diagnosed with Generalized Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (gHSD, similar to Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos) and Postural Orthostatitc Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), as well as dysautonomia and Raynaud’s. But no matter what life throws my way, like colectomy surgery this June, I’ll keep fighting and advocating for my fellow ostomates! I started my social media account MollyOllyOstomy to shed light on ostomies - a topic surrounded with a lot of stigma. I wanted to show the world that ostomies are not death sentences but instead life-savers! I call my ostomy Olly, and by sharing my story, Olly and I are hoping to change the conversation about ostomies for the better.
GG: In three words, how would your friends and family describe you?
MA: Driven, intelligent, and thoughtful. (Thanks to my fiancé for those!)
GG: Have you ever had a long-term stay in the hospital? What was it like and how do you think Giftgowns could have made the situation better and more comfortable?
MA: At this point, I’ve had a couple stays that have been more than a week long. Staying in the hospital for any length of time isn’t fun, but the ones that have been at least ten days long have been extra tough. I knew by Day 2 of my first stay that I was NOT going to wear those hospital gowns if I could help it. They’re just so shapeless and since I’m pretty small, they feel like massive tents! I find that I’m so much happier if I’m in my own clothes, so now I always opt to wear my own nightgowns or pajamas in the hospital. Not only are they more comfortable, but they also make me feel more human and less like a patient!
GG: What is your favourite Giftgown?
MA: I like the “Stay Cool” gown - I’m a huge fan of motivational quotes, I use them as mantras when I’m in the hospital, so anything with words makes me smile!
GG: What are tips and tricks for those who are currently going through treatment?
MA: Sometimes you just need to wallow! Being sick sucks, it’s not fair, it’s exhausting, and there’s about a million things better than spending your time in a doctors office or waiting for a diagnosis. And when you get overwhelmed, allow yourself to be sad! We are supposed to feel all of the emotions, not just the happy ones. I call these times my “just bag it” days, and on “just bag it” days, everyone in my life has to let me cry and scream and be mad without telling me that it’s all going to be ok. But here’s the trick - a “just bag it” day can only last for 24 hours. After that, I have to pull myself together and keep fighting.
GG: Do you have any tips on making a hospital stay more pleasant?
MA: Bring stuff that makes it feel like home. A stuffed animal, a blanket, a picture of your friends or family, an air freshener, anything to make it less institutional-feeling. Yes, you may be lying in a bed with tubes coming out of everywhere you can think, but if there’s something that can remind you of happy memories, bring it! If you’re feeling up to it, have visitors come by too. It breaks up the long days and gives you something to look forward to. And try to give yourself one thing to accomplish a day - it makes a HUGE difference! For me, it’s setting a goal of how many laps around the hospital floor I want to do, and it gives me the motivation to keep healing.
GG: Do you have any special routines or mantras that help you cope?
MA: I’ve always been active, and trying to find ways to keep my body moving has been super helpful. On days that my health is cooperating, I like to take a walk outside to remind myself of how wonderful the world is. And as I mentioned above, I love quotes - the one that I always rely on when the going gets tough is “And though she be little, she is fierce.”
More Fun Questions!
GG: What’s your zodiac sign?
MA: I’m a Gemini!
GG: What’s your favourite candy/treat?
MA: Embarrassingly enough, Reese’s Puffs cereal!
GG: What’s your favourite vacation destination?
MA: We just came back from a trip to the Southwest, and I fell in love with Moab, UT. But I could also live in Paris forever and be a very happy girl.
GG: What’s your song of the moment?
MA: That’s tough - I listen to so much music that there isn’t just one song! Anything in the alternative genre with a driving beat really gets me going.
Thanks so much Molly for sharing your experiences with us!
Shop Giftgowns here.
]]>The Basics
Name: Julie Schmuttermair
Location: San Diego, California
Social Media Handle(s):
Instagram: cathairinmymouth
Tell us More!
Giftgowns: Tell us about yourself!
Julie Schmuttermair: I have battled chronic illnesses since the age of 11. I was diagnosed at age 12 with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSDS), better known now as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) after a year of misdiagnoses and doctors telling my parents I needed to be in a psychiatric treatment facility because I was an overdramatic child and couldn’t really be in that much pain. At age of 15, I began having stomach issues and it wasn’t until 12 years later that I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I currently have a G tube for venting and a J tube for medications. I have a port and get infusions 4 days a week, every week for my mast cell and gastroparesis. recently (after searching for answers for many, many years), was diagnosed with POTS, Mast Cell, and Dysautonomia. I also have a lot of things wrong with my back, so to say the least, I have lived most of my life in pain.
GG: In three words, how would your friends and family describe you?
JS: Loyal, Compassionate, Dependable
GG: Have you ever had a long term stay in the hospital? What was it like and how do you think Giftgowns could have made the situation better and more comfortable?
JS: I have stayed more than a month in the hospital on many occasions. Recently, I was in the hospital for 29 days and during this stay I was gifted with a wonderful Giftgown hospital gown. But, I wouldn’t really describe it as a hospital gown because the fabric is much nicer, softer, and more comfy, and you feel like a human in it. You don’t feel like a sick patient, because it feels more like you’re wearing a long nightgown than you are a crummy, been-used-many-times-by-other-people hospital gown! For me, having a sense of normalcy in the hospital is my number one priority (next to getting better of course!)! Anything I can do to create that for myself, I do, and it mostly starts with having my parents bring me clothes from home. When I am dressed in comfy clothes and out of a hospital gown, I feel less sick, and less depressed. And this giftgown is one more item that I have added to my hospital bag! I’ve gotten so many compliments on it, and not only did receiving it brighten my mood, but wearing it made me feel more human and less like a patient!
GG: What is your favourite Giftgown?
JS: I really like the one I received—the navy blue peace sign!
GG: What are tips and tricks for those who are currently going through treatment?
JS: I think the number one thing to have in your toolbox when going through treatment is a good support system. While I have an amazing family and group of friends, I know for many warriors out there, family is what you make of it. You create your own family based on those who love, support, and accept you. So finding your source of strength in the people you surround yourself with is a big contributor to helping you get through treatment in the most positive way possible. Another tool in my box is having a doctor who will fight for me. It has taken me a long time to find one, but having one doctor who is your CHAMPION (that is what one of my favorite hospitalists called it), who will fight for your needs tooth and nail, who will reach out to other doctors when he/she isn’t sure of the next step, who will advocate for you whenever you need it. I know that it may sound like an impossible task to find a doctor like that, but there is one out there for each of us. It has taken me a long time to find her, but I can count on her, and I know she has my back. And it has made this whole process so much easier in the sense that I don’t have to worry that she will give up on me and turn me away. I know I have someone holding my hand (literally and figuratively) every step of the way. So keep searching If you haven’t found your CHAMPION yet!
GG: Do you have any tips on making a hospital stay more pleasant?
JS: Real clothes! My number one thing I have to have in the hospital is comfy clothes from home that are not necessarily pajamas, but not necessarily jeans either! And my RZMasks! If I am going to be in the hospital for a while, I always have my parents bring my own shampoo and soap from home. I’ll bring my Ipad/Tablet so I can watch movies and do work if I’m up to it, and even above real clothes, I have to have a good blanket from home! I have 2 hospital blankets and 1 infusion blanket (thanks to BraveSoul Blankets) that I bring with me to every ER trip, Every Hospital stay, and every infusion (which I go 4 times a week every week). There is something so soothing and comforting about having pieces of home in such a crummy situation and place—no matter how nice your hospital/hospital room is, there is nothing like home!
GG: Do you have any special routines or mantras that help you cope?
JS: Never, Ever, Give Up (NEGU). I practice meditation, hypnotherapy (not the “you are getting very sleepy” kind, but the guided meditation kind), and biofeedback. All of these tools I have mastered and do on my own now (and I recommend anyone and everyone look into these tools and make appointments to learn how to do them because before I learned these practices, my life was unmanageable, and so was my pain!) and they help immensely in my day-to-day life! I would not be where I am today, mentally and emotionally, especially, without having learned these practices.
More Fun Questions!
What’s your zodiac sign? Cancer
What’s your favourite candy/treat? Gummy Bears and Nerds---I eat gummy bears like they are going out of style!
What’s your favourite vacation destination? Mammoth Mountain, California. It has been my second home since I was a kid—we spent all summer vacations there growing up, and being there provides me a sense of normalcy, a sense of safety, and a sense of calm. I would move there if I didn’t need to be near a major hospital!
Thanks so much Julie! We hope you love your Giftgown!
Shop Giftgowns here!
]]>The Basics
Name: Unity Bowling
Location: VA, USA
Social Media Handle(s): chronicallycollegiate (Instagram) Unity Bub (Youtube; not illness specific)
GG: Tell us about yourself, include if you’re a patient, survivor or a current warrior battling an illness:
UB: I’m currently battling endometriosis, orthostatic issues, type 1 diabetes, cfs/me, and some other undiagnosed issues that we’re in the process of trying to figure out! I may have forgotten something… so many words and names get thrown around during appointments that I honestly haven’t kept track. Things change so fast and it’s hard to keep a running list! I’m a junior in college majoring in chemistry and English and minoring in Japanese. I love reading and drawing and cuddling with my cat daughter Emma. I also really enjoy cooking and home shows and love winding down with them.
GG: In three words, how would your friends and family describe you?
UB: Passionate, Empathetic, Stubborn.
GG: Have you ever had a long term stay in the hospital? What was it like and how do you think Giftgowns could have made the situation better and more comfortable?
UB: My longest stay was when I was diagnosed with diabetes. It was pretty miserable, the IV tech put the IV right in the crook of my arm so whenever I moved, the machine went off, and I couldn’t bend my arm much at all. The major upside was that my nurses were AMAZING and super good at making the experience less crappy. The food staff was also great at accommodating a vegan (and at that point limited carb) diet. I think both my numerous ER stays and my actual admittance could have been made soooo much easier with a Giftgown. Wearing the hospital gown all the time leaves me feeling itchy and unclean and exposed. I like the snap design so that everything is still accessible but my booty isn’t hanging out everywhere!
GG: What is your favourite Giftgown?
UB: I adore the prints on the children’s gowns. If they made those in the adult sizes I would totally jump on them. My favorite adult one however is the blue beat goes on one; because I have undiagnosed heart issues and it really resonates with me that even though crappy stuff is happening, the beat goes on both literally and metaphorically.
GG: What are tips and tricks for those who are currently going through treatment?
UB: Some tips I have that work for me are to listen to your body, but also be aware if it’s telling a white lie. Whether that means telling the nurses that no, you don’t feel okay, or admitting that you could eat something even though you don’t feel well. I have a problem of trying to morph my world into something that wouldn’t intimidate others and that’s unfair to myself. Be self-aware to the benefit of you and your health!
GG: Do you have any tips on making a hospital stay more pleasant?
UB: Hospital stays can be really sucky, but I love surrounding myself with things that remind me of home. Window decals are some of my favorites because they make a really bland room seem cozy (especially if your view is of a rooftop or parking lot) and are easy to remove when it’s time to go home or switch rooms.
GG: Do you have any special routines or mantras that help you cope?
UB: One thing that I’ve found helps me is dropping my normal self care routine. That sounds counterproductive, but my self care routine is pretty extensive and on a good day makes me feel great, but on a not so good day it’s intimidating and frustrating if I can’t finish it all. Going to bed without using a face mask will not be to my detriment and sometimes the best self care is laying in bed with a blanket over your head pretending the outside world doesn’t exist. I love “healing is not linear” and “your best is always good enough”. They really push me through any mental funk I’m experiencing and remind me that no matter where I am, that’s where I’m meant to be.
GG: And if we wanted to get to know you a little better...
What's your sign? I’m a Taurus!
What's your favourite candy/treat? I loooove any and all vegan chocolates. And vegan ice cream because holy cow.
What's your favourite vacation destination? I adore St. Martin. I hope they can repair after the hurricanes and I want to eventually go and help with reconstruction efforts. The people there are some of the best in the absolute world.
Thanks Unity- you're such a great example of positive thinking and we're thrilled to have you as part of our Hospital Experience Series.
]]>Aubrey is currently battling multiple chronic illnesses, but is doing it with a smile, and a Giftgown.
]]>
The Basics
Name: Aubrey Winkie
Location: Austin, TX
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: aubreys.lyme.journey
Youtube: chronicles of a chronically ill girl
GG: Tell us about yourself, include if you’re a patient, survivor or a current
warrior battling an illness
Aubrey Winkie: My name is Aubrey and I am currently battling several chronic illnesses. It all started with getting Lyme disease and having it go undiagnosed for years before getting treatment. Because it was so late stage when I was first diagnosed the disease had infiltrated most parts of my body, particularly my nervous system. It caused seizures and autonomic nervous system disfunction. I have a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome that affects my heart and leads to passing out, I have a service dog that helps alert me before these episodes. I also have gastroparesis, which is a partially paralyzed stomach so I have to be fed through a feeding tube. My goal is to spread awareness about Lyme Disease in the hopes that I can prevent others from having to go so long without getting diagnosed. I love my dogs, the outdoors, sunshine and vlogging! (I vlog about the ups and downs of everyday life with chronic
illness here).
GG: In three words, how would your friends and family describe you?
AW: Positive, Determined, and Joyful
GG: Have you ever had a long term stay in the hospital? What was it like and how do you think Giftgowns could have made the situation better and more comfortable?
AW: Yes, I am very small, I fit into children’s clothes so I would literally be swimming in hospital gowns. Giftgowns makes you feel more like yourself when you are in the hospital. You get to wear something to express yourself instead of wearing what looks like a curtain from a nursing home (current hospital gowns!).
GG: What is your favourite Giftgown?
AW: Peace sign!
GG: What are tips and tricks for those who are currently going through treatment?
AW:
● Sit outside- for me when I am housebound with treatment being able to sit out brings me so much joy
● Call up and chat with a friend - being sick all the time can be isolating and lonely. Sometimes it’s hard for friends to start the conversation so I’ve found being open about what you are going through makes it a lot easier.
● Skillshare or coursera- I had to quit my schooling because of illness so taking free online classes on Skillshare or Coursera made me feel super happy to still get to learn new things
● Find hobbies that work with your abilities. When I first got really sick I just got frustrated that I couldn’t do things that I loved (rock climbing, hiking, reading, writing) but I found some new creative outlets that really helped with my mental health and not going stir crazy (vlogging, cooking)!
GG: Do you have any tips on making a hospital stay more pleasant?
AW:
● Bring your own pillow and blanket!
● Coloring books
● Netflix!
● Befriend the nurses
● Treat yo self! (I like to allow myself to do a little online shopping for packages to look forward to when you get out of the hospital)
● Find some spoonie friends you can chat with to help get you through it
GG: Do you have any special routines or mantras that help you cope?
AW: Just keep smiling :)
GG: Tell us more! What’sd your sign?
AW: Leo
GG: What’s your favourite candy/treat?
AW: Dairy free ice cream!
GG: What’s your favourite vacation destination?
AW: The coast of Kenya
Thanks, Aubrey for sharing your experience and tips with us! We love your positive, shining spirit! Giftgowns is lucky to have you as our November Ambassador!