Me, My Bag and I

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. We’d like to share the experiences of Andrea, an ostomate in remission from Bowel Cancer, Richard, who works for Colostomy UK and Nicky, a nurse in the Birmingham area who has been in Bowel Nursing for around 20 years, and Stoma Care for over 10.

In this episode, the topic of conversation is returning to work with a stoma. Paige, Chrissie and Elizabeth share their experiences of going back to work after such life-changing surgery.

In this episode, the topic of discussion is dating and relationships with a Stoma. Lisa, Jack and Emily have had different experiences with relationships with a stoma.Emily was already in a relationship before she had surgery, but for Lisa and Jack, they had to go through the ‘dating with a stoma’ experience.They both agree that when dating, the best thing to do is to be honest and not to put too much pressure on yourself.

In this episode, the topic of discussion is exercising with a Stoma. Ollie, Rebecca and James have all had major surgery and now have a stoma. They talk about what keeping fit means to them and the importance of starting afresh with exercise after such life changing operation.

Ian and Kate have had support from their Stoma Nurse Mireille for 11 years and her support has been so important. Right from Ian’s first diagnosis to ongoing care throughout his time in hospital to life back at home. They are very grateful for the psychological support as well as the physical care she has given them both throughout Ian’s journey.

10th October was Mental Health Awareness Day and to coincide with this, we recorded the next edition of our podcast focussing on the mental wellbeing aspect of having a stoma.In this episode, Lorna and Sarah openly discuss their journeys through suffering and diagnosis of IBD, having a stoma and then life with a stoma and the impact this can have psychologically.

In this episode, we listen in to experienced Stoma Care Nurse Specialists, Dawn and Anne-Marie, talking about the unique role of the Stoma Care Nurse and the support offered to people throughout their stoma journey. Dawn and Anne-Marie provide helpful tips and advice for people expecting or living with a stoma as well as some of their personal experiences along the way. An informal conversation that truly shows that caring for patients is at the forefront of their role as Stoma Care Nurse.

In this episode, we're talking about getting married with a stoma. Gemma is a 32-year-old mum-of-two living with a colostomy. She's joined by her partner, Vic, who proposed to her in 2017 and has supported her throughout her journey with a stoma. They talk openly about the impact that having a stoma had on Gemma’s body image and the how Vic’s positive approach and support has helped Gemma to accept that it’s just part of who she is.

Living with a stoma can be challenging, especially so when you're young and figuring out who you are, so it's good to know you are not alone.Twenty-seven year old Amy lives with an ileostomy and was the third youngest person in the UK to be diagnosed with IBD at the time. At the age of seven her life was changed after years of misdiagnosis. Amy recalled how her parents thought she was just a picky eater as a child and forced her to stay at the dinner table until she finished her meals. Amy said that her experience with school wasn't great, but she loved education so she needed to get a teacher for when she spent time in hospital.When she was nineteen, she had surgery that would impact her life completely, leaving her with a stoma, who she fondly refers to as Stacey. This allowed her to become more confident and include herself more with activities of people her age. She had the reassurance to go get her freedom to be able to stop at friends' houses, or to go party.Soon enough she met her current partner, Ben, on a dating app. Amy has become very open about her stoma and finds that she has become better at handling any negativity that comes her way (though she admits responses are rarely negative) and has no problems cutting out people who aren't accepting of her condition. She opened up to Ben after about three days of talking and he was really understanding, especially as he has a step sister with IBD.The couple recalled their first experience with a bag leak together, when they went for their first proper meal together. After leaving the restaurant without ordering desserts, to go fill their "insatiable desire for Milky Bar yogurts" Amy's bag started leaking on the walk back home. Ben met the situation with empathy, saying he could understand how difficult it must be to have a situation "blindside you when you least expect it". Following that situation, Ben has tried his best to support Amy whenever possible, even going so far to wear a bag from time to time to better understand the intricacies of having a stoma and the struggles Amy would be going through. The two recounted the time when they ended up pouring semi-boiling coffee into his bad by accident to emulate output!Amy herself has went through a journey to become comfortable with her stoma and what it means for her identity. She said there are times that she rarely feels naked because of the bag, and thus likes to take bagless showers to feel enjoy the freedom of actually being naked in her mind. She also struggled with finding her place blogging, as she had difficulty with feeling conscious about her life revolving around her stoma. Eventually she developed the philosophy "You own your bag, it doesn't own you" which we couldn't agree more!

Today, we’re talking about getting back to work with a stoma…Tina is a 38 year old colostomist and hairdresser from Lichfield who has set up her own salon at home. She’s joined by her loyal customer, Maxine, and her lovely sister, Claire. They’ve both stood by her throughout her journey with a stoma and Crohn’s disease.