Raun Thiele here.  Thought I'd write to let you know how things are going for me.

I'm afraid things aren't really that much better.  While I don't have to worry about the kids teasing me at school, I do, on the other hand, have to worry about them teasing me when I go to the pool or out in public.  Y'see, I have a colostomy, and at times I smell.  I can't help it; it's something that's beyond my control.

I had a tumor form in my stamach and it "pinched" off part of my colon; therefore, I now have to wear a special bag until I'm a little older.  Doctors think that they will be able to "reverse" it, to where I can go to the restroom like anybody else, but for now I have to wear a bag attached to me.

Because of this, kids have given me the awful name of "Rotten Egg", and they don't want to have anything to do with me.  I spend a lot of time alone; the only time I'm not is when I'm with my family (my momma, daddy, and four sisters).

I have to find ways to entertain myelf.  I play a lot on the computer or play quiet, handheld games.  Sports are out of the question for me because if I fall, I could land on my colostomy and have big problems, so I don't even do it.  It's a horrible way to live; I wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially a little kid like myself!

I did go to the 4th of July fireworks at the Ponca City High School; they shot 'em off there, and they were pretty.  I really enjoyed them; I just wish they could have lasted a lot longer than they did!  We also went to the parade and went to the park, where we had a picnic. It was a lot of fun; it made me forget of my problems, even if only for a little while.

I don't like it when kids make fun of me or tell me I stink.  This is when I wish my doctors could fix me back up, now, so I wouldn't have to put up with my bag any longer.  I don't like being teased, and I'd much rather go back to being called Raun Elijah instead of Rotten Egg!

Well, I have made myself cry again, so I am going to go before I get the tears all over my laptop and short it out!  I will write in here again, until later, this is your friend, Raun Elijah Thiele, saying so long!

~Raun Elijah, aged 8, Ponca City, Oklahoma.  :(