I made a life-changing decision and I regret it. There. I’ve said it. I regret having a colostomy bag fitted. I regret electing to have surgery and I’m currently where I am due to my decision. I have to figure out how to accept that and then move on.
Read moreChristmas Tree Race
Since discovering the race in 2016, the Christmas Tree Race in the Forest of Dean has been the highlight of the running calendar. I first ran it in a Christmassy t-shirt and the following year I had gone full on fancy dress mode with a customised Christmas Tree costume with lights and club branding. I was first Christmas tree home and won a prize for the best fancy dress.
Read moreHernia Decisions
When I signed up for a new bum, I didn’t really read the terms and conditions. I just focused on the benefits of having a stoma. With every procedure there are going to be complications but you just presume that you’ll come out the other end fine and carry on without any issues. But then a hernia appears.
Read moreA Letter to Myself
Dear Rob
Remember the time you had a bum? I do, and it wasn’t good. Things got so bad that you decided to have it removed and replaced with a new bum but you’ve been dealt some issues and they haven’t been easy to deal with.
Read moreDo I Regret Having Surgery?
This is a question I’ve asked myself many times and I find it difficult to answer. The ultimate answer always tends to be no but I’m forever questioning whether that’s the right answer.
Read moreThe Psychological Effects of Having a Proctosigmoidectomy
If I rewind back to early 2018, I was embarking on a time of running to the toilets, feeling lethargic, feeling like I was forever having a fever, this was Crohn’s Disease reminding me that it was still there and trying to treat the flare up with the usual treatments of steroids and Humira injections would prove to be futile.
Read moreWhen to Run, When to Run?
Post-EUA (Exploration Under Anaesthetic) things have been generally good. Initially there was a lot of leakage (both blood and exudate) from the newly opened wound so much so that I had to invest in some sexy incontinence pants. Thankfully that seemed to reduce quite quickly thus reducing the need for the pants.
Read moreMe, Felted
Behold, the felt version of me! Yes I have been immortalised in felt complete with my bag for life.
Read moreMeet Mr Parastomal Hernia
Shortly after my surgery I started to notice a lump above my stoma. At the time I wasn’t sure whether the lump was associated with post-surgery swelling and had hoped that over time would reduce with time. The lump meant that the outline of the colostomy bag was visible, particularly when not empty.
Read moreThe Joys of Having a Pilonidal Sinus
After 14 weeks, I’ve been experiencing an ongoing issue with my AP Resection, and in particular a pilonidal sinus. At this moment how long this is going to take to heal or if it ever will heal. Here’s what’s happened so far and what could be happening right now.
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