This week it dawned on me that it’s been 2 years since Crohn’s Disease took control and put a stop to me enjoying running. Crohn’s had affected running prior to April 2018 but it was at this point that things because too much and I decided to stop running.
Read moreColostomy Irrigation + Dehydration = Abdominal Pain?
Recently I have had a few instances where I have experienced abdominal pain after irrigating but initially didn’t link it to the actual process. After the latest instance of pain, was it caused by being dehydrated?
Read moreYet Another Wound Update
When you do something for so long, it becomes normal, a part of your life. And dressing my wound on a daily basis has become normal. I’m currently on day 447. Day Four hundred and forty seven! And on numerous occasions I’ve been so close to it finally healing.
Read moreEven During Coronavirus, The NHS Are Still There To Support Me
After over 430 days of dealing with this pesky perineal wound, it was coming to the end of the healing process but then coronavirus meant that I could no longer see my team of nurses for dressing changes, but the NHS are still here for me, including my specialist, my surgical care practitioner and my GP surgery.
Read moreExperimenting with Stoma Caps
When I started irrigating, I was told that if things went well I could expect to move to using stoma caps. This week, I started experimenting with them and it’s great! This feels like another step in sorting out issues I’ve been having and heading towards the original goal of not having to worry about having a stoma.
Read moreFirst Time Irrigating Away from Home
For The last 6 weeks I’ve been irrigating in the comfort of my own home. During that time I’ve built up a solid routine of irrigating first thing in the morning with kit that I’m comfortable with in a time that doesn’t interfere with me getting on with my day. Inevitably I would need to experience irrigating outside of the home and this weekend was that time.
Read moreOne Year Follow Up With Surgeon
Just over a year since My New Bum was installed I was back in the hospital this week for another check-in with my surgeon and stoma nurse.
Read moreThe Flu and Colostomy Irrigation
One of the many downsides to having an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s or Colitis is that you most likely have to take an immunosuppressant drug which makes you susceptible to illnesses and infections.
Read moreA Month with Colostomy Irrigation
A month ago I made another big step in my journey of trying to get to grips with my stoma and the issues that can come with having one and started colostomy irrigation. So how have I got on?
Read moreA Year with my Team of Nurses
January 28th marks a year that I’ve been seeing my team of practice nurses on an almost daily basis (I took two breaks to have more surgery). That’s a lot of visits – 231 visits to be precise (plus 45 district nurse visits). In that time you get to know your team of nurses well and get to observe the amazing job they do.
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