Luciana’s Story

I WILL TELL YOU what my ostomy means to me: freedom and no fear!   I’ve never thought that an ostomy would give me freedom. Four years ago, when I became an ostomate I first thought that my life would end and many other  possibilities in life would not exist anymore. I was wrong. I had…

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Virgie’s Story

Hi friends! I am a 62 year old female. I have had my ileostomy since I was 18 due to severe ulcerative colitis. I have had many ups and downs through the years, but I am happy to say no problems with my Ostomy! I have had to change appliances and wafers over the years…

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Lauren’s Story

My name is Lauren and I’m 28. I’ve been an ostomate now for 6 and half years. I have my ileostomy due to Hirschsprung’s disease, mega colon, whole gut slow transit and colonic inertia. After nearly losing my life several times due to my invisible illnesses I’ve become extremely proud of myself.  I’ve moved countries and…

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What Happens in an Ostomy Procedure?

ostomy procedure woman wondering nascent odor eliminator

  An ostomy procedure is necessary for protecting the abdominal cavity. It allows inflamed or damaged parts of the digestive tract to heal. The procedure involves changing the bodily waste such as stool or urine in your body. It allows for the bodily waste to exist in a hole near the abdomen and collect in…

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Ashley’s Story

I started having symptoms when I was 17. Then I was diagnosed with Crohn’s when I was 18. I tried every medication out there and tried so hard to live a life. It got so bad and so hard, and when I was 25 I had my entire large intestines removed and have had my…

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Dennis’s Story

My doctor told me that I would have reversal surgery and iliostomy would come off in a few years. It’s been 42 years and I still have it. Because of inflammation and colitis flare ups I was never able to get reversed. Most of the time I forget I have it. It’s become part of…

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Brendan’s Story

In December 2012, I had major cancer surgery for colorectal cancer. I was given a temporary ileostomy for a 4 month period. In April this was removed and I was placed back in so-called normal bowel operational mode and the pouch removed. It was then my real nightmare began. I was very fortunate that I…

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Donna’s Story

I was a happy healthy 35 year old when I was admitted to hospital with bloody diarrhea. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and when steroids failed I was given an emergency total colectomy. Months in hospital with extreme weight loss and sepsis and a further 2 surgeries and long hospital stays over the space…

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Lori’s Story

Hi! I’m Lori. I’ve had a jejunostomy for one year now, and I really struggled with finding the right appliance. I cried many tears, but I’m finally getting a handle on it after realizing I needed a convex system. I lost over 200 pounds and I deal with the pain of an hereditary neuromuscular disease…

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Gem’s Story

Hello! I was diagnosed with crohns colitis at the age of 11 and managed with medication until 16. After this I had 10 years(!) med free which was amazing! When I fell pregnant at 26 everything changed and my body went in to melt down. I ended up being admitted to hospital so many times…

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