In this blog I explain what the purpose of this website is, who it should be used by and who it might help. It provides insight, support advice and information on all aspects of an ostomy, stoma, ileostomy or colostomy.
This website is designed to prove helpful for patients with a stoma, regardless of whether it is a permanent or temporary ileostomy or colostomy. The website will also prove to be of assistance to medical practitioners, other medical professionals or carers, caring for patients who have or will undergo surgery to form a stoma. It includes many information sheets, medical explanations and practical guides about the reasons that may lead having a stoma and how to manage it.
Perhaps most of all in this website, I provide support, assistance and reassurance that the problems and issues related to having a stoma, ileostomy or colostomy can be avoided and managed. Along with all that, the website provides practical and first-hand information about what having a stoma means in day to day practice. Importantly it also gives help on how to manage the resulting physical, psychological and lifestyle changes.
In this blog I take you through my journey of how I came to have an ileostomy. I explain everything about my getting a diagnosis, the initial treatment and the subsequent investigations. I explain the decision to have the surgical sigmoid colectomy and an ileostomy. Also, I explain how I learnt the tricks to minimise ileostomy-related problems, so that I could easily manage my stoma and return to almost normal lifestyle. As one would guess, the journey was not easy and was rocky and uncomfortable at times.
My nurses hinted at unspoken psychological problems
My own stoma, pre-op and ward nurses all referred to the fact that in reality, all patients with a stoma experience significant ongoing problems. In particular they commonly experience significant psychological issues about their body image, handling their own effluent, the social isolation and reluctance to openly discuss the issues. Prior to surgery I had little or no advice or from my two surgeons other than one line: “you won’t like it”!
I can now hand on the insight and experience that I have gained to other patients faced with having an ileostomy or colostomy. This may help potential patients, nurses, carers, relatives, general practitioners and yes, also to surgeons. All these healthcare professionals need to know of an understand the practicalities and day to day needs of their patients with an ileostomy or colostomy.
What is available on the internet
During this time, I went to surf the web to find some information that could help me. I could find no real personal experiences, or tips and helpful hints about how to manage the problems of having a stoma. Most of all there was little mention of the very significant psychological, body image and social issues .
Sharing my knowledge, experiences and insight
I applied my medical training and knowledge, together with what I could gain from an extensive search of the internet, to formulate the best ways to manage a stoma and minimise the associated problems and issues. This website and blog will provide a shortcut to minimise the problems. The blog and website are intended to be a discussion forum for patients and those who care for them.
There are also links to other advisory help groups and associations available on the Internet. There is a directory of companies which provide supplies and equipment which might be needed and a shop section where you can obtain these supplies.
