I was diagnosed in January 2023 with bowel cancer with Metastasis into the liver, and was scheduled to have a bowel resection on 16th of February. I was told I would have a resection with the possibility of a stoma if things looked different during surgery, so I was preparing myself for either. On the 14th of February I ended up having my bowel surgery to remove the cancer due to a complete bowel obstruction, and was made aware by my surgeon I would require a stoma, due to the obstruction.

A stoma nurse came and spoke with me the day before surgery, she marked my stomach up as to where my stoma would be going and also discussed the products available for my stoma.

After my surgery I wanted to see my stoma as a positive, as once that section of my colon was removed that meant the cancer was also going from the descending colon – in my eyes my stoma was saving my life.

After surgery I awoke and saw my stoma, yes, it was a little different, but aren’t we all different? It would be a little boring if we all were the same!

That’s the mindset I started to take in relation to my stoma. A couple of days after surgery I decided to name my stoma. I named it after Moira from the sitcom ‘Schitt’s Creek’, as she likes to be dramatic and in the early days so did my stoma.

After I felt more alert post-surgery, the stoma nurse came to see me again and we discussed how to change my stoma bag etc., she also explained the products available to me.

I have a little six year old, and I wanted to be as open and honest to her, as children that age are extremely inquisitive and ask a lot of questions.

From the day I got my stoma, and when I got home, I showed her the stoma in her time and discussed in a child-appropriate way why I needed one. I told her part of my bowel (where our poop goes) was broken and the Doctor has to remove it, so now I have something called a stoma.

She now calls it ”mummy’s tummy bum” and in all honestly I love the name. We had  a good laugh when she first called it that. She also finds it “pretty cool, Mum poops from her tummy bum”. Children really are brilliant.

She also received a Bear called Buttony Bear (from my stoma nurse in the hospital)along with a book, which was lovely and helped break the ice. My husband was able to read the book to her and discuss more.

Speaking with people who understand how to use the products and also how stomas work, in my opinion makes me feel seen, heard and understood. Especially at a time when having a cancer diagnosis is a lot to get your head around, then add in receiving a stoma.

I’m now nine months post stoma surgery and I’ve been getting on brilliantly with my stoma, it does take some adjusting to, I would be lying if I said it didn’t. I have to make sure I’ve always got a good supply of products when out and about, knowing where the restrooms are in case, I need to change my pouch.

Amy
@mybowelcancerjourney