I have never seen my stoma as a negative, though I know for others the journey towards acceptance can be much more difficult. For me, from day 1 it got rid of my cancer. Because of my stoma I am here and I am so grateful for that.

Cancer is really awful and even now I’m not positive every day, but it has made me view life in a different way. Life is precious and it has changed my outlook, I no longer do the things I don’t want to, I do the things that make me happy and I appreciate all the little things.

I wish I could tell myself a year ago how life would be now. How adjusted I am to everything and how positive life is. Even to be writing this piece to hopefully inspire and help others going through similar. I’d have told myself “No way!” but here I am, and I am focused on raising awareness. I just want to share what I have learnt along the way and my life with a stoma.

I hope you reading this can look at me and realise it will be ok, it takes adjustment, and your body will change but you will get there. It’s a new way of life but it doesn’t stop you from doing anything you want to.

I always say, it would be boring if we were all the same. We all have quirks and one of mine is my stoma. It’s just a part of me now.

Amy
@mybowelcancerjourney