Life with an Ostomy

Have a love-hate relationship with your stoma? You’re not alone.

An ostomy is a surgically created opening in your abdomen that allows waste or urine to leave your body from that stoma instead of your rectum and anus. Think of your ostomy’s function as you did your natural bowel movements. You still have the same bowel; it just might be redirected. Call our free Helpline with any more questions: [phone]

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#ostomy #ostomate #coloncancer #colorectalcancer #stoma #shorts #ostomybag #ostomyawareness

[lynnodonovan]

God bless the doctor or surgeon who thought of this and made it possible. It has saved so many lives.

[leonardlloyd]

I've had a colostomy for 14 years due to rectal cancer. it takes some getting used to, but you can do it!
Bless you young lady!

[marinakoscak]

Samo dalje snažno u životu! Bog te blagoslovio

[maakatipa]

My Mum was one of the first women in New Zealand to have an ileostomy. She was 34 at the time and died two years ago at age 88!
My Dad couldn't handle it and left about six years later. But I'm sure he started cheating on Mum not long after.
She had an inherited blood disorder HLAb27, ... which out of my four siblings, I am the only one to have it. Yes it's plagued my life with Ankilosing spondylitis, at 19, ... Thyroid cancer at 52, Chrones two years ago and now prostate cancer. But if no one else in my family has to deal with it, especially my children, I'm ok with it !!

[debrakleid]

I’ve had 12 central lines including a port but it got severely infected and I also had a UTI at the same time and because of the infections I almost died from sepsis and spent a month in the hospital during Christmas and New Years. That was horrible. My port had to be removed in the ICU and now I have a Hickman which is another type of central line and it’s been in for 4 1/2 years. Prayers for your recovery

[MariaHernandez-cbjr]

My mom is 95 years old and she has a colostomy. She had colon cancer when she was 50 years old. I thank God every day because she has lived this long thanks to a colostomy that saved her life. She did not need chemotherapy. She's lived to enjoy grandchildren❤

[donnalanphear]

I've had my ileostomy for over a year and am glad to have it. Stage 4 colon cancer made it my best chance. The ostomy is inconvenient at times but I am grateful. Bless your journey.

[joosterkelens]

I have a colostomy bag for temperory, cause they removed a tumor out of my rectum. Respect for those who have to deal with it constantly

[stevelipari]

I have a Urostomy from bladder cancer, going on 3yrs now, A life changing thing, but better than the alternative.

[marcellvarkonyi]

Hi. I wish you all the best . I know how you feel. I had it for 12 months too. 😢. But after a successful colon operation, the stoma reoperation took place at the beginning of March 2024. Getting back into "normality" was hard, but the perseverance and fight was worth it. I wish you lots of strength from the bottom of my heart! Best wishes from Switzerland. cheers Marcell 😊

[CindyMac]

My mom had to have an emergency iliostomy back in ‘67…. I know, most of your parents hadn’t even born yet! Anyway, mom passed a couple of years ago- Jan 2021 from COVID…she was going to turn 83 that summer. However, her body was giving out- due to congestive heart failure and kidney disease….it was her time. She lived 50+ years thanks to the iliostomy - I don’t know how she survived. It was a horrific thing for a little 4 year old to witness - all of this going on with mom. Yes, of course there are inconveniences from having an iliostomy but, was it all worth it? I think that 99% of you would say, YES.

Think of it this way…if you have a cat or dog, you have to pick up their poop, kitty litter, whatever you want to call it. If you have any of these surgeries, it’s a different way do empty your poop. I really don’t think that we should make it into a secretive thing. Let them know that it’s no big deal. The only thing…make sure that they do have a little freshener or a small perfume bottle with them. A little touch is more than enough.

It’s not a big deal to family and friends, or it shouldn’t be. If you are having a problem, go and see a real autopsy. That should make you grow up real fast. This IS real life…be present, be educated, be strong - for the patient.

[michaeljohn]

You look fantastic. Well done on winning

[KatyDeighan-ycnf]

Prayers & 💪 to you strong young woman. May God & all our prayers carry thru any tough days…..❤

[toddrussell]

Learning to live with a colostomy is better than dying of cancer. NED now thanks to my team.

[davidlaroche]

Same here…helped me heal from cancer surgery.

[DailyTv]

I was shot 14 times and multiple of those shots were in my abdomen. I’m so blessed that I don’t have a bag.

[monicaciobanu]

Iti doresc tot binele din lume ❤❤❤ sănătate maximă...

[lindawerry]

You are beautiful and so very grateful 🙏 you are healthy ❤️

[DebraBess-pr]

Thank you lord Jesus for healing this woman's body from cancer and for your grace on her life in Jesus name I pray❤❤

[maridouglas]

Im recovering from that surgery right now. Cant wait. But yes. Bleesed to be cancer free..