Your stories

Recovery from my ostomy surgery

Amy - IBD Warrior Princess

Amy shares her experience recovering from her ostomy surgery and what she has learned over the 10 years of having an ostomy.
- 6 Sep 2021
My experience with alcohol and a stoma

Clare Mee

This is my experience and I totally get that everyone is different, and their stomas don’t always act perfectly, but with some planning and care, you can enjoy the odd glass or night out
- 1 Sep 2021
Camping and hiking with an ostomy

Caitlin McGinnis

My ostomy has never let me down and has never prevented me from doing anything that I enjoy.
- 4 Aug 2021
Dressing with an ostomy – summer guide for women

Luciana

Summer, the most expected season for many, has finally arrived. As you may know, I come from a tropical country where most of the year is hot. So, I don’t know about you, but all I can think about is summer…
- 27 Jul 2021
VIDEO: How having a stoma has impacted me

Amy - IBD Warrior Princess

Amy has discussed her recovery from stoma forming surgery and how she feels about having a stoma nearly 10 years later. How was your recovery from stoma surgery, how do you feel now? Let us know in the…
- 7 Jul 2021
Building self confidence following stoma surgery

Clare Mee

Accepting what has happened can be a long road, but one that has to be taken, otherwise your life will never be a happy one if you can’t get over having a bag attached to your tummy.
- 28 Jun 2021
Turning 50: My journey of living life to the fullest

Luciana

I’ve decided to live my life to the fullest. As all chronic patients you never know what can happen, one day you are absolutely fine and other you may feel completely rubbish.
- 1 Jun 2021
VIDEO: What comes in your pouch box

Clare Mee

Do you know how to use all the products in your pouch box? I've made a short video on what each product is and how to use them!
- 18 May 2021
VIDEO: My stoma story

Amy - IBD Warrior Princess

I've recently joined A Bigger Life as a blogger and I thought the perfect way to kickstart this journey would be to introduce myself and tell you my stoma story! You can hear all about my battle with Crohn…
- 14 May 2021
Help and guidance from my stoma nurses

Andy Fletcher

In essence, my journey with a stoma has been so much more manageable with my stoma nurses help and guidance. I’d never be able to adequately thank them!
- 12 May 2021
My stoma nurse team inspired me to do nursing

Aneica Duffy

They pick you up and remind you how far you have come and how much you have achieved since having a stoma.
- 12 May 2021
Overcoming the fear of swimming

Luciana

The fear of any embarrassment, caused by a leak or even if the base plate would come off were now overcome and I was ready.
- 11 May 2021
National nurses week – Thank you to my stoma nurse Kate

Clare Mee

Kate made me more confident with my stoma and never pressured me to fully change my bag on my own until I was ready.
- 11 May 2021
Video: What I wish I knew before stoma surgery

Michaela Hayes

I am just over a year into my stoma journey now and there are a couple of things that I wish I knew or I wish I was told before I got my stoma. One being that I didn't know that I would still have the…
- 29 Apr 2021
64 years with a stoma

Barry

Once you find a stoma bag that suites you keep using it. The style of stoma bag l use has been about for the best part of 50+years as they are still producing them.
- 14 Apr 2021
The five stages of grief following ostomy surgery

Luciana

I’ve had many amazing experiences in life, thanks to my ostomy! It has been nearly 5 years since I’ve got a second chance to live and explore the world with quality of life.
- 12 Apr 2021
Living through a pandemic with an underlying health condition

Lauraine Clarke

The pandemic opened up so many wounds for me about how unpredictable life was and the absolute fear of what the future held.
- 8 Apr 2021
My top tips for a bigger life with a stoma

Clare Mee

These top tips I either use myself or have been suggested to me by other ostomates to help manage and live a bigger life with your stoma.
- 31 Mar 2021
Video: Intimacy as an ostomate ️

Michaela Hayes

Being an ostomate should never stop you from experiencing intimacy, however the first time after surgery or with a new partner can still have you feeling worried. Hopefully these tips can help!
- 24 Mar 2021
Telling someone you have a stoma

Aneica Duffy

When I have met someone for the first time, I try to get to know them and for them to get to know me first, I just can’t say ‘oh by the way….’.
- 26 Feb 2021
Video: Winning tips to fashion with an ostomy!

Michaela Hayes

Finding the balance between comfort and style can be difficult as an ostomate, no matter how far into your journey you may be. However, these tips might help.
- 18 Feb 2021
My experience with a partial stoma blockage

Clare Mee

It was like a contraction pain that came in waves. I felt very sick but luckily wasn’t actually sick. My bag was empty which was unusual for me and I knew I had a blockage.
- 3 Feb 2021
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