Many of those of you who know me are aware that I had an in February 1998.  I was very ill with and lost a lot of weight very quickly- I weighed under 5 stone (about 68-70 pounds).  Despite mega-doses of steroids I didn't improve, so I had my emergency operation in February 1998 less that 2 weeks after going into Southampton General Hospital.  Just click on the coloured links in the text above to find out more about ileostomies and ulcerative colitis.

I had a lot of complications with internal infection and had 2 more operations to try and wash me out and get rid of internal scarring (adhesions) on my intestine.  It actually took me 4 and a half months to get out of hospital, and almost 3 months after that to get back to work after having left hospital!  I no longer have the guts I used to!  This was me BEFORE the surgeons got to me!  

Daily life with a stoma

I am however full of beans (although not of colon) now, and am working as a computer programmer.  My stoma does not affect my life, she just needs a little TLC now and then! It takes a while to get used to, but life with a stoma is not so bad.. although I didn't had the long term misery of colitis to the extent that some people have before my operation (I only got really ill a couple of months before my surgery). The operation did save my life, so it's something you get to accept!  It also takes a while to get used to which bags suit you best, sorting out skin problems and the like but life does go on. 

My stoma (called "Stoma"!!) is well-behaved, and I often forget her!  She has never blocked, and I eat most things, and do most things (see my main page).. However she does work with a little TOO much gusto at times though (and, surprisingly like me, she just LOVES food and drink, especially Chinese!!) Regular bag-emptying (6-8 times a day) and changing every 3-5 days or so keeps us both going! She seems to have a fairly regular pattern of being active, so that's useful in knowing when to empty/change and the like.

Suggested Reading about Stomas

There are plenty of links on my page to stoma sites so that you can find out more if you'd like to!

So thanks to all the staff at the General and the Royal South Hants Hospitals in Southampton for their help and patience - I couldn't have done it without you!  You bring a whole new meaning to "I'll have your guts for garters!"