Your stories

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
Using an accessible toilet

Keith Thomas

There has been more awareness in recent years of hidden disabilities, but many ostomates still face hostility when using an accessible toilet. Here’s how Keith handles that situation.
- 23 Mar 2020
Office working with a stoma

Andy Fletcher

Many ostomates can return to work following their surgery. Andy has an office based job and shares his experience of what it’s like working with a stoma.
- 20 Mar 2020
My first year as an ostomate

Alisa

Alisa looks back on her first year with a stoma; embracing the positives and the lessons she has learned.
- 4 Mar 2020
Sharing your experience with others

Keith Thomas

Deciding whether to tell people about your stoma is a personal decision. Keith has found it helpful to share his experience with others, and in doing so has been able to help other ostomates.
- 3 Mar 2020
Going back to work; in the driver’s seat.

Keith Thomas

Keith shares his experience of going back to work after stoma surgery and how a change in career has changed his life.
- 21 Feb 2020
Am I classed as disabled?

Clare Mee

Some ostomates think of a stoma as a disability and others don’t. In this blog Clare asks the question- is having a stoma a disability?
- 19 Feb 2020
Living with a fistula: friend or foe?

Lauraine Clarke

A fistula is a rare complication of surgery that sometimes affects ostomates. In this blog, Lauraine shares what it is like living with a fistula.
- 19 Feb 2020
In Good Company

Andy Fletcher

1 in 500 people here in the UK currently have a stoma, so how many celebrities have one?
- 30 Jan 2020