Inspired and a follow up to my 2017 post “When Does Having an Ostomy Feel ‘Normal’?” and my 2019 post “This is Not My First Choice“ In a very similar vein to my post on ‘when does having an ostomy feel ‘normal’?’, today I want to talk about how it feels to have a stoma bag; and if it can ever fade into your subconscious. Now, #stoma101 – a stoma…
adventures with a chronic illness
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A Guide to Summer with an Ostomy
Inspired and an follow on from my 2018 post “Surviving the Summer with an Ostomy: A Guide” 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…
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Frustration: When nothing feels like ‘good news’
Inspired by my 2019 post “Pain: When does Acute turn into Chronic?“ The shock on my face when I was told I was needed at SAU – our Surgical Assessment Unit – for a consult on a large peristomal hernia was a classic moment; right up there with coming round from a scope with a NG tube and needing a subtoal colectomy and my Infliximab antibodies being the highest on…
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Reflecting on 2020 – The Six Month Update
Inspired and an follow on from my 2019 post “Reflecting on 2019 – The Six Month Update” Gosh, it feels as if it’s taken a long time to get to the end of June but also, where has it all gone? Most of 2020 has been consumed by lock down and this pandemic so it would be impossible to do this post -reflecting on January to June – without mentioning…
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The Mental Struggles of Chronic Illness
I’ve thrown alot of curve balls lately. So many. Too many to count. I secretly thought this lock down malarkey was going to be a breeze – in simple terms, being at home for months on end, I’ve done that before! – but no. My disease was cackling in the background, just taunting me. With all that’s been sent my way – thank you, whoever is up there – I…
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What is Convexity?
Disclaimer: This information is based on my own research into this particular aspect of stoma care as well as some personal experience and should not be used as medical advice or a diagnostic tool. The suggestions given within are taken from sources laid out in the references header. If you seek advice regarding the things you experience within your own disease, please contact your SCN for medical advice. How does it work? One of the guiding…
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Fibre with IBD
Hands up who has been on the low residue diet in the months after diagnosis or surgery? There would be very few people with their hands down because it has become the go to diet for those suffering from active inflammation of their condition. Rightly so too; imagine the red, irritated and painful lining of your bowel as you allow rough and fibrous food through it. It isn’t going to…
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Life Lately | Lockdown Update
There is something else to be said about trusting your guts… I think if I trusted mine, I would be in serious trouble. But if you look at abit further, a little deeper, there is some truth. My guts are a barometer of pain and of my condition. They let me know when something is wrong. They tell me about pain. They let me know when I need help. They…
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Coping with Anxiety While in Isolation
We are in unpresented times. But dealing with anxiety in isolation is not unpresented. Anxiety affects everyone differently and can be brought on by different situations or experiences. It is our body’s natural reaction to perceived danger, focusing our attention and giving us a rush of adrenaline to react, sometimes called the “fight or flight” response. Sometimes it can be difficult to know what is making you anxious, which can…