The heat is on, so to speak. It is a week until I move. One week, a whole seven days and packing is hitting me like a brick. When did I accumulate so much stuff? It is giving me all the anxiety and stress I was hoping to avoid by being proactive these last couple weeks. But delays in finding a place to rent meant I had one week less…
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Advice: How to Solve Peristomal Skin Issues
Disclaimer: This information is based on my own personal experience since my ostomy surgery in August 2016 and is not intended to replace medical advice from a trained professional. If you are requiring advice regarding your own stoma, routines which might benefit you most, or products that suit your needs best, please contact your stoma care nurse for further assistance. 1. Change of stoma size This is important to note in…
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The Last Year of My 20’s
It’s here. The final year of me being in my twenties. The last couple years, I’ve hardly noticed the age I am. Mostly because my age hasn’t really been on my mind or if it has it because people don’t quite believe my actual age when I tell them. Being sick since I was 22 meant that my birthdays weren’t really celebrated like the used to be. I didn’t go…
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Learning to Not Sweat the Small Stuff
I am constantly reminded that my life is different. I look back in time, to years gone by and remember just what I’ve been through. Things are different. So much has changed. Not only is my own life different but I am different too. I’m learning to not let the small things bother me as much as they used to. I have had to accept this since I was diagnosed…
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The 29th Year
I’ve eaten a lot of cake this weekend. And it was birthday cake too! And I’m sure it’s not the sugar high I’m on, but this has been one hell of a year. Despite being very aware of the fact that this is the last year of my twenties, I want to celebrate all the good – and the bad – things that have happened whilst I was twenty-eight. Hopefully, this is all…
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Life Lately | Getting a Health MOT
Guys, lets talk about looking after yourself. I know that this might be easy for me to say – couple of months into remission with my Crohn’s, preparing for a new and exciting job, coping well with my stoma – but looking after yourself is important. So important. Actively being present and finding out what works best for you. I am somewhat more able to do this now because I…
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Changes, Welcomed Changes
I’ve always been known as someone who doesn’t do things by halves. Some examples? – I have the most progressive disease my Gastroenterologist has seen. – In a three-month period, my colon disintegrated but I didn’t present with a flare up of IBD! – My GYN surgeon removed a tennis ball cyst off my ovary which should have been causing tons of problems, but wasn’t – When I got sick,…
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Speaking: Loud and Proud
Know what inspires me the most? Other patients. Other ostomy patients, other IBD patients. Those people who have a connection to me once I share my own journey. I met these people last week at a Coloplast Care day. I spoke about how I came ot have my ostomy, my IBD history in brief and how life has been since surgery. I tried to follow my written document – you…
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Life Lately | Pushing my Limits
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade Yeah, I relate to this way too much. And I say it time and time again – surgery changed my life – but this time, it’s gone and given me something I would never have expected. A job. I kept it very hush hush and only really celebrated when I got offered it and accepted. So, I am now an employed lady. Hallelujah! Some…