In this blog I explain what the purpose of this website is, 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 undergoing a colectomy and having a stoma. Wherther it is an ileostomy or colostomy, temporary or permanent, this website will prove to be of assistance. It includes information sheets, medical explanations and practical guides about the reasons for having a stoma, and how to manage it. This will help not just patients and their relatives but doctors, nurses, carers, and stoma nurses.
Perhaps most importantly, this website provides support, insight and reassurance that the problems related to a stoma, ileostomy or colostomy can be avoided and managed. The website provides a chronological histoly of someone having a colectomy and ileostomy. It describes first hand all the practical problems as they are encountered and managed. In the chronoogical 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. Importantly it does not shy away from the unfortunate practicalities and the resulting physical, psychological and lifestyle changes. I explain the decision to have the surgical sigmoid colectomy and an ileostomy. I explain how I learnt the tricks to minimise the ileostomy-related problems. This enabled me to manage my stoma and return to an almost normal lifestyle. This web site may help you too.
My nurses hinted at unspoken psychological problems
Stoma nurses are a useful source of help and advice. Mine hinted to the fact that in reality, all stoma patients encounter significant psychological issues about their body image, handling their own effluent, and the social isolation which results. There is a reluctance to discuss the practical problems. Even my own surgeons had little time and little or no advice or from other than the one line of advice: “you won’t like it”!
What is available on the internet
I undertook extensive internet searches to find some information that could help me. But, I could find no real in depth, personal experiences, or tips and helpful hints about how to manage the problems. Most of all there was little mention of the very significant psychological, body image and social issues .
Sharing my knowledge, experiences and insight
Not all healthcare professionals know of and understand the practicalities and day to day needs of their ileostomy or colostomy patients. I applied my own personal experiences with my medical training and knowledge, with what I could gain from an extensive search of the internet. I used this, to formulate the best information and advice to minimise the problems of managing a stoma. Over time this site will become a discussion foruminformation resurce and reference site for all colectomy and stoma patients.
The site contains 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.