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. I’ve had my ostomy for six months now. And throughout that…
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“What is a Stoma, if it Saves Your Life?”
I remember being in the first year of learning how to cope with my Crohn’s Disease – a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease – and I met fellow IBDers who had stomas. They spoke about how they had come to have their ostomy surgery; how terribly awful things had become to get to that stage, but how much better life was because of it. Despite that, I panicked. Nope. Not…
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My Note to You
My boyfriend has never seen or experienced me without my IBD. We met a couple months after I was diagnosed. That is now almost five years ago. It’s been my longest relationship to date and I hope it’s the only one I now have. At the start, my disease was under control and I was able to have some sort of life whilst being ill. We acted like a couple…
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Surgical Review #2 – 13.02.17
Back to see my amazing surgeon today. Don’t worry, I’m okay! If anything, that’s the reason for seeing him. I am doing so well since surgery, he double checked my blood work, did a MRI scan and a calprotein test to confirm that everything is A-Okay. I’ve briefly discussed my thoughts on ‘remission’ this time around here, and also here. But today it was made official but not at all…
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Sometimes; it just hits you, hard
How long does it take you to accept something? I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t be terrified to see my stoma. The first time I got to see it, I was high on morphine and was desperately trying to understand what was coming out of me and what I was attached to. PICC line? Check. PCA pump? Check. Catheter? Check. Abdominal drain? Check. Ostomy bag…? Check. I felt the…
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My Tips for Eating with an Ostomy
Disclaimer: This information is based on my own personal experiences since my ostomy surgery in August 2016. If you are seeking dietary advice regarding your stoma, please contact your stoma nurse, dietician or medical team for further assistance. I’m coming up to six months with my wonderful ileostomy, Pricilla. It’s not always been a great relationship but I saw quite quickly how she was going to make my life with…
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Fearful
I’ve already had five and a half years with my chronic illness. I’ve gotten used to it disturbing my life and disrupting my plans. It seems to have a knack for doing this, a lot. What I am not used to is being without medication. It feels foreign, almost like we are testing the IBD gods, tricking them into thinking I am well. For all intents and purposes, I am…
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Part of Coloplast: Charter – Ordering Ostomy Supplies
I was introduced to Charter as part of my pre-op care from my stoma nurses. They recommended the service for several reasons: Supplies could be order online, 24/7 They have the largest availability of products from a variety of companies Their delivery was discreet. Almost all new ostomates from the hospital would recommend Charter for their level of professionalism, knowledge and friendly advisers. Ordering my ostomy supplies for the first…
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One Year On
Three hundred and sixth five days. A whole year; twelve months. We sat in traffic. It was a busy Wednesday morning rush hour. I’m anxious, excited and ever so scared. It felt like make or break time; would these doctors also recommend surgery? Did I have more choices than the scalpel? I was in agony. I knew I was sick and I knew that I would probably choose surgery but…