Even with a properly managed stoma and predictable appliance wear times, there are still some challenges that an ostomate may face in certain situations.
3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Having an Ostomy
The prospect of surgery can be a highly stressful and scary thing, but it helps to be equipped with knowledge so you aren’t worrying too much about minor things.
When I learned that an ostomy was in my future, I spent most of my time learning about how it might impact my life, what limitations it might force on me and how others were coping with it. But there are still some things that I wish I knew before having my surgery.
Ostobuddy (2015): REVIEW (w/ video)
It’s been less than a year since my first review of the OstoBuddy app, and many of the features that I wanted to see in the app have been implemented, as well as some new ones!
Gutsy Walk 2015: Durham Region (w/ video)
Sunday June 7th, 2015 was the 20th Annual GUTSY Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and I had the pleasure of doing the walk again this year.
Blue Crown Club Ostomy Shower Guard : REVIEW (w/ video)
When I was fresh out of surgery, showering was a bit awkward, not only because I had some large incisions to protect, but also because showering and drying a wet bag wasn’t something I wanted to do when I was in recovery and still weak from years of chronic illness.
Attiva Seal-N-Toss Ostomy Disposal System: REVIEW
Changing an ostomy appliance is often pretty straight forward, but disposing of your soiled appliance can be tricky.
3 Things I Wish I Had Known About IBD
Not many people know what IBD is at the time of their diagnosis, and I had a lot of questions about Crohn’s Disease when I was first diagnosed, but there are some things that I wish I had known sooner.
World IBD Day 2015
Today (May 19th, 2015) marks another World IBD Day. I know that some people see today as a special day for advocacy and as a reason to celebrate, but the past few weeks leading up to today have been full of anxiety, discouragement and upset for me.
Stoma Aid: Helping Those in Underdeveloped Countries
When I was having home care after my ostomy surgery, I remember telling one of the nurses how lucky I feel to have all the support and supplies available to me. She told me a story about what some ostomates in India and other underdeveloped countries have to go through when they get a stoma.
Have Fun at an Amusement Park With an Ostomy (w/ Video)
My daughter invited me (read: begged me) to go to Canada’s Wonderland with her because a friend wasn’t able to go. Let me say that I haven’t been to Wonderland in maybe…. 20 years, which means that I’ve never been on any of the large rides that she loves to go on.