Stories

When I look back upon my life, I see how far I have been after becoming a permanent ostomate. I left all my fears behind and I decided to live my life to the fullest.

Amy shares her experience recovering from her ostomy surgery and what she has learned over the 10 years of having an ostomy.

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

My ostomy has never let me down and has never prevented me from doing anything that I enjoy.

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 and spending my afternoons in gardens...

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 comments! https://youtu.be/W9cNSJ3Qq48

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.

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.

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!

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's and IBD in this vid.

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!

They pick you up and remind you how far you have come and how much you have achieved since having a stoma.

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.

Kate made me more confident with my stoma and never pressured me to fully change my bag on my own until I was ready.

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 urge to bear down.

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.

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.

The pandemic opened up so many wounds for me about how unpredictable life was and the absolute fear of what the future held.

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.

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!

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….’.

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.

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.

We can have some amusing times with our stomas, we have to laugh at ourselves and try and see the funny side.

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 and quicker recovery times.