Why my stoma gave me my life back | by Louise
Stomas even now are still considered taboo. My first stoma may have saved my life but I hated it with an absolute passion. It was badly situated as it was an emergency op and I had a lovely parastomal hernia with it. I looked like I was still pregnant for 3 years prior to my reversal, and got asked if I was a fair few times. When I was booked in for reconstruction surgery and a reversal I thought I would get my life back, little did I know then what I know now.
My first stoma
My first stoma, as stated above, was an emergency surgery as my bowel was perforated during an emergency C-section which left me fighting for my life in an induced coma for 3 weeks. I spent a total of 3 months in hospital and during that time I had to learn how to walk, talk, and eat again. All of this was whilst I was looking after my 7 week old daughter, Maisie, as she was living with me in the hospital as I had missed out on her first 6 weeks.
I managed this whilst going through open debridements due to a mesh implant and a massive open wound. At the time I didn’t know any better and in good old Louise fashion, I stuck my head down and pulled through to be well enough to be discharged just before Christmas.
Back in 2009, there where only certain pouches available and I was stuck with a clear plastic convex stoma pouch for two years that caused skin maceration and continuous leaks. Back then, I got told I had to make do and stop complaining.
My reversal and reconstruction surgery lead to further complications that took a change of NHS trust, and doctors who believed me, to get to where I am now.
My second stoma
Prior to my second stoma, I suffered with fecal incontinence and bile acid malabsorption for 4 years. I tried all the medications but alas, nothing was working. We couldn’t get my existing medical history from the previous trust so surgery was the only option as they didn’t know what had and hadn’t been removed back in 2009 and 2012. Plus, constant inflammation from refractory Crohn’s disease didn’t help matters (refractory means immune to the medications).
So I had my temporary loop placed in October of 2016 and in all honesty, I have not looked back. I was meant to have my protectomy then as well as a hysterectomy. However, the adhesions from previous surgeries and stage 4 endometriosis meant it wasn’t feasible due to associated post-op risks.
My life improved drastically following that operation. I no longer needed to know where the toilets where, I could eat what I wanted (to a degree) and I could finally live my life that wasn’t impeded by soiling myself or glued to the bathroom throne.
My third stoma
I had my protectomy surgery in November of 2018 and it was a shock to the system…
I was fit and healthy prior to the operation so it knocked me flat on my butt and I spent 4 months asking what I had done so bad in a previous life. However, once the associated post-op ileus passed along with the bloating and swelling, I made leaps and bounds to get to where I am now.
Post-proctectomy
I have done so many things post surgery it’s difficult to list them all, however being a family unit and enjoying life are one of the many plus points post surgery.
- I became an ambassador for Pelican Healthcare in 2017
- Got married in 2021
- Been on so many wild camping and family camping adventures I’ve lost count
- Been abroad on family holidays and girly weekends
- Been the best mum I can be
- Learned to advocate for my health
- Got my health and weight down to normal minus many medications from 2018-2023
- Finally had my hysterectomy and endometriosis scar tissue removed in January of 2025
- Got back to hiking and I’m currently training to do the Cumbrian walking wounded in 2026
My first stoma may have held me back, however better stoma products from 2016 drastically improved quality of life. I rarely have to think “Oh, my stoma.” I just plan and enjoy!
As always,
Many thanks for reading
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