Laura’s Story

Hi, my name is Laura Lang. I am a Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse and an ostomate. I’ve had an ileostomy since 2008 due to crohn’s disease. It’s amazing how much better my life has become.  Crohn’s no longer controls me or prevents me from living life. My ostomy also lead me to my current career because I wanted to help others who are going through similar experiences. I believe it gives hope for new ostomates to see that they can still work and lead a normal life. I try to push myself to show my patients and others that you can do anything with an ostomy.  I run, hike, participate in Burn Boot Camp, and work a full time job. I completed the Rugged Maniac Race so I can say that I’ve crawled through the mud under barbed wire and jumped over fire with an ostomy.

Even though I have not allowed the ostomy to slow me down, one of the toughest things for me was controlling the odor. I would dread going to other people’s houses, planning short visits so I could leave before having to empty my bag.  I worried about using public bathrooms, especially in restaurants.  I would go to the furthest, least used restroom I could find at work and run down there between patients. About 5 or 6 years ago I went to a vendor fair given by a local ostomy support group and discovered Na’scent. It is the only product I have found that truly works to eliminate the odor. I have used it ever since and recommend it to all my ostomy patients. I can now empty my bag in any restroom without embarrassment.

My next big experience will be hiking the Camino de Santiago in April of 2022. This is a 500 mile hike across Spain carrying everything I need on by back. I’m looking forward to pushing myself further than I ever have and enjoying all the new sights and experiences.