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Your stories
Speaking with others who have been through the same surgery as you can be invaluable but keeping in mind that everyone’s experience is different. You can help others by joining our community and sharing your personal stories and experience.
Welcome
Take a minute to meet our bloggers who share their tips and experiences of living life with a stoma
Meet the bloggers
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The funny side of ostomy life
Clare Mee
We can have some amusing times with our stomas, we have to laugh at ourselves and try and see the funny side.
19 Jan 2021
When is the right time to have ostomy surgery?
Clare Mee
The reason surgery is considered a last resort is the fact that recovery can be slow with complications, but I think if surgery was an option sooner then the chances are there would be less complications…
4 Jan 2021
Awaiting health appointments during lockdown
Clare Mee
Having chronic ill health and being under multi disciplinary teams, is very difficult during the pandemic. Everything seems to be on hold even to the point that it is difficult to get hold of secretaries…
25 Nov 2020
Positive attitude helped me embrace life as an ostomate
Dan Dry Dock Shockley
High waist shorts with longer tops, wraps or flowing tops also disguise your bag and all these things help with confidence if you are unsure whether your bag can be seen. It will partly be in your head…
18 Nov 2020
Clothing guide for dressing with a stoma
Clare Mee
High waist shorts with longer tops, wraps or flowing tops also disguise your bag and all these things help with confidence if you are unsure whether your bag can be seen. It will partly be in your head…
19 Oct 2020
Things not to do following stoma surgery
Andy Fletcher
Although my doctor signed me off work for 6 months, I really did think I was invincible, and this was my biggest mistake. I thought it would be good to share my errors and problems with you, so that you…
13 Oct 2020
Ordering ostomy product samples
Alisa
The ostomy care product world is a crazy jungle, and I have tried at least 7 different types of flange extenders / tapes that go around my wafer, manyrings and a few pouches.
2 Oct 2020
Oliver shows having a stoma is not the end of the world
Oliver Kaye
I turned to social media where I discovered a big community of people and organizations who speak out about this invisible condition and who are happy and living a normal life.
23 Sep 2020
The unexpected things about ostomy life
Alisa
I was sick for about a week, tested negative for covid thankfully. I lived on my couch and did nothing, so I had all the time in the world to observe my own symptoms and thoughts.
8 Sep 2020
What I look for in an ostomy pouch
Clare Mee
I like my system and I can see through the window part clearly which helps me know that I have placed it properly around the stoma and fistula. So for me, the most important things about a pouching system…
7 Sep 2020
Having a stoma does not stop me travelling for a holiday
Andy Fletcher
The most important thing is to always take spare stoma supplies with me wherever I go. For a week away, I always take a minimum of two weeks' worth of supplies ... of everything. Sometimes I take more…
25 Aug 2020
Starting a nursing job as an ostomate
Alisa
This summer I got a part time gig as a nursing assistant and I have learned so much! I obviously can’t go into full detail about my job, but the one message I want to deliver is that many things can be…
4 Aug 2020
How do you empty your stoma bag when out and about?
Clare Mee
I am thankful that I haven’t had to change my stoma bag in a public toilet ( except my work one but that doesn’t count) as there are often no shelves, no hooks and no mirrors. Does anyone have a different…
20 Jul 2020
Navigating events with an ostomy
Alisa
Going to events, such as concerts, weddings, family gatherings or house parties with an ostomy can be a bit scary at first. But with a little bit of preparing anything can be done.
6 Jul 2020
Understanding your feelings as a new ostomate
Clare Mee
Having a stoma will not stop you doing anything at all once you are fully recovered and that is very important to understand. It will not shorten your life, nor will it will not stop you eating your favourite…
29 Jun 2020
Andy debunks common myths about living with a stoma
Andy Fletcher
Having a stoma will not stop you doing anything at all once you are fully recovered and that is very important to understand. It will not shorten your life, nor will it will not stop you eating your favourite…
25 Jun 2020
Life with an ostomy pouch can be much more than you think
Keith Thomas
I raise awareness every day about living with a stoma - a life I know full well that not everyone can accept as I do; but my love is for my life that I now get to live with my loved ones.
12 Jun 2020
Choosing the right ostomy products for you
Clare Mee
Clare shares how using the correct ostomy products for your needs is essential in managing your stoma.
3 Jun 2020
Aneica shares a message of hope for new ostomates
Aneica Duffy
Aneica shares a little note that will hopefully give people courage, strength, hope and faith who may be facing stoma surgery soon and those who are having trouble with their stoma.
3 Jun 2020
Your ostomy community is only one click away
Alisa
Alisa shares how having an ostomy has improved her quality of life and enabled her to have experiences she would never of had without having surgery.
1 Jun 2020
Reaching out to an online ostomy community for support
Clare Mee
Clare shares how the ostomy community on and offline has been vital for helping her adjust to living with a stoma.
19 May 2020
You, me and my stoma
Alisa
Getting a stoma bag often builds character and shows what truly matters in life.
1 May 2020
Me and my stoma - 4 years on
Clare Mee
Clare looks back over the last four years since she had her stoma surgery.
10 Apr 2020
Staying in and going online
Alisa
Staying in is the new normal for Alisa with the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s how she is still managing to continue nursing studies and look after her mental health from her home.
7 Apr 2020
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