I want a second opinion! 

I didn’t take the news well. I’d have much rather lived with the pain, than with a stoma. So, like all teenagers, I sought a second opinion. Not from a doctor, but from social media. 

Despite the fact that thousands of kids and teenagers have stomas, and diseases like Colitis are on the increase among young people, I was really disappointed with the lack of resources available. I wanted to read what life was like from someone my own age, not someone my parents’ age. 

That’s why I’m writing my story now, why I’ve set up my own Instagram page and why I’m keen to get involved in stoma advocacy. I needed reassurance. But I also wanted the kind of blunt honesty you only get from someone who’s been in your surgical slippers at a time when all your friends are Snapchatting their latest trainers. 

Waking up with a stoma

That wasn’t so bad. I couldn’t feel a thing. Little did I know that when the spinal block was to wear off, I’d be in agony relying on paracetamol to control the pain. 

Things didn’t get any better when they tried out my first stoma bag. Disaster. The bags weren’t working, and neither was my stomach. I left hospital in pain, with bags that didn’t fit and wondering if this was my life from now on. 

Going back to school 

School has been a bit of an up and down experience for me. On the one hand it was great to be back to normality and seeing my friends, but on the other I’ve had to endure some very awkward moments. Like the time my bag burst in the middle of my English mock exam! I rushed to try to finish the paper but in the end, I just left the room before the smell became too strong. 

Over time, the life lessons I learnt at school were probably more important than any classes I took. I learnt that everyone who has a stoma is on their own personal journey. And so I had to find my own way of living with it. 

The right bag and the real me 

It’s amazing what a difference the right stoma bag can make. For me it’s all about confidence. If I’ve got confidence in my bag, I can do all the things I used to do before, like run, go paddle boarding and meet friends. 

I would always recommend trying different bags until you find the one that suits you. I did exactly that until I found the Convatec Soft Convex. Around the same time, all my complications started settling down, so I’ve finally been able to put on weight and get back to normal. 

Friends and family 

My family have always been there for me, even if my older sister and younger brother aren’t fully clued up about stomas! Early on, I also chose to tell my closest friends. They knew I hadn’t been well, so it made sense just to show them my stoma bag. I was still a bit embarrassed, but I needn’t have been. They were brilliant and really intrigued. 

Staying active 

I’m doing a lot of running to keep fit and active. It’s brilliant to have the energy to do a 10-mile endurance run, when I never used to be able to get out of bed. I have to remember to stay hydrated by taking plenty of salts and electrolytes. I also love going stand up paddle boarding at the beach. 

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