Life before and after a stoma – A chat with Beka
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Life was horrendous before my stoma
I couldn’t leave the house! I was constantly stressed and worried. I couldn’t go out with the kids, and if I did, I would have to look at my phone and find all the nearest toilets. I wouldn’t eat because if I did, I need the toilet straight away. I couldn’t go for walks or walk my kids to school.
I had no life.
I remember going to bonfire night to watch the fireworks, thinking it would only be an hour. I got there and I was in pain. My daughter said you will be fine, but I wasn’t. It just came away and I stood there not knowing what to do.
I always needed the toilet the minute I left the house.
It was really bad.
I would never go on holidays, and if I ate anything different, I would just be on the toilet.
The worst two years.
Now… I am living life.
I can go on holiday. I feel more positive. I can spend time with my partner and kids. I have a sex life. I can be me.
Thinking about it now, if I had known then, that having a stoma would positively change my life, I would do it in a heartbeat.
There is always a stigma associated with having a stoma, especially if you are younger. I want other ostomates to know that the stigma needs to change and is changing. Which is why I want to talk about my journey and be open about it.
There are models now with stomas and plus-size models who embrace their bodies. So why shouldn’t I?
It has changed my life, and I can be myself again.
JB-003084. Date of Prep: August 2024.
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