By Hannah Martin-Spencer, BKin, Ostomy Canada Marketing Team
Life has no limits, even with an ostomy.
When I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I was 16 years old. I was afraid of telling my friends at school because I didn’t want to seem different from them, I didn’t want to explain my symptoms or tell people why I missed classes or track practices. I felt confused and alone because nobody I knew around my age had a health condition. The day of my diagnosis I cried all the way home because I was terrified that I might need ostomy surgery one day. Fast forward 4 years and it turns out I did need surgery — but what was once my biggest fear actually became the thing that gave me my life back.
When I was in the middle of severe flare-ups, I missed school, events with friends and family, entire days lost to laying in bed — and even when I was able to leave the house, I was always anxious, looking for where the bathroom was just in case. I thought my life would always be a cycle of finding the closest bathroom and cancelling plans, followed by a few good months in remission. I didn’t know that getting an ostomy would break me from these constant cycles and let me live my life without constant anxiety.
About 6 months after my surgery I went to the beach with my friends, and for the first time in years I wasn’t worried about needing a bathroom, I wasn’t hesitant about going for fear of having an accident or being in pain — I finally got to simply enjoy the beach. A few months after that I went on a road trip with a friend, another thing I never would’ve been able to do when I was sick with colitis. Even a 10 minute car ride during a flare gave me anxiety, but there I was driving across the province for hours without a worry in the world. 16-year-old me missed out on so many things because of colitis, but 20-year-old me with an ostomy (previously my biggest fear) was living, no longer just surviving. Moments like these continued to happen to me after surgery, doing something that wouldn’t have been possible or something that would have caused so much anxiety and planning became so easy with my ostomy. But every time, it blew my mind.
2 years after my surgery I went on a work trip and skydiving was part of the itinerary. Now, skydiving was never on my bucket list to begin with, but I definitely would not have been able to do it during a flare up. Imagine being 20,000 feet in the air and suddenly needing a bathroom! I will admit, I was still hesitant about doing it with my ostomy at first. But after a quick Google search assured me it was possible and wouldn’t cause any problems, I decided to go for it. And it was scary, but it is one of my favourite memories now. It was so freeing to jump out of that plane without fear of my bowels acting up, I was actually able to be present in the moment and experience it fully. That never would have been possible without my ostomy, but it’s also something I didn’t know could be possible with an ostomy.
Having an ostomy can be scary. Feeling different from others is hard. But know that even with an ostomy, you can do anything you want to in this life. An ostomy will not stop you from living life to the fullest. I thought an ostomy would be the end of life as I knew it, and it was a big adjustment, but once I got through the recovery I knew that not only did my ostomy save my life, it gave me back a life to live. If there is one thing I have learned about ostomy life in the past 6 years, it’s that often the thing stopping you from trying something new is your mind, not your ostomy. So if you are struggling now, know that you are not alone, and I hope my experience has given you hope.
Source
Hannah Martin-Spencer, BKin, Ostomy Canada Marketing Team.
Hannah, a passionate 25-year-old from the Greater Toronto Area, is expanding her expertise in acupuncture at a Calgary post-secondary institution. With a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Psychology, she blends her knowledge into her new acupuncture pursuit. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 16 and having undergone unsuccessful biological drug treatments, she underwent ileostomy surgery at 20. Hannah is driven to advocate for ostomy individuals. As a volunteer and Ostomy Ambassador, she supports Ostomy Canada with social media and writing health blogs. She enjoys outdoor activities, baking, and painting in her free time. Hannah’s journey of resilience and determination, with her ostomy transformation showcasing her strength, aims to inspire and support the ostomy community.
Disclaimer: The information shared by Ostomy Canada Society is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person’s ostomy experience is unique. Please consult your health care provider with any questions about your condition, care, or treatment plan.