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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
Recommended For You
  • The funny side of ostomy life

    Clare Mee
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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 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
    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 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
    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 Mee
    Clare looks back over the last four years since she had her stoma surgery.
    • 10 Apr 2020
  • Staying in and going online

    Alisa
    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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A warm and friendly space you can visit any time of the day or night (we’re never closed) and keep coming back to. You, the person, are important. A stoma shouldn’t define you, it is just a small part of a bigger life. We’re here (quietly in the background) to bring together support, encouragement, information and engagement in pursuit of that bigger life.

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