Ostomy Canada Society
Sean Currie shares his journey with Crohn’s disease, surgery, and life with an ileostomy—alongside his role as a photographer for Ostomy Canada Youth Camp and Calgary Ostomy, and finding freedom beyond illness.
By Karen Bruton RN BScN MCISc-WH WOCC(C). Originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of Ostomy Canada Magazine. One of the most common ostomy complications
A cancer survivor with two ostomy bags cycles 1,160 km across Thailand, proving that life after cancer and stoma surgery can still be bold, active, and inspiring.
Considering a proctectomy? Erika Kana, RN, shares what ostomy patients should know about surgery, recovery, and life after.
A powerful reflection on life with a colostomy—how irrigation, vulnerability, and community support can lead to freedom, healing, and self-acceptance.
On March 1, 2026, members of the ostomy community in Calgary came together for a video shoot, challenging stereotypes and celebrating identity as part of Ostomy Canada Society’s national awareness campaign highlighting life beyond an ostomy.
Navigating dating and intimacy after ostomy surgery can feel overwhelming. In this blog, Hannah Martin-Spencer, BKin, shares personal insights, partner perspectives, and practical tips to help you feel confident and less alone.
Love takes on new meaning after an ostomy. In this heartfelt February reflection, Ambassador Nadia Maffucci Di Rienzo shares how her husband’s unwavering support carried her through diagnosis, surgery, and the emotional realities of learning to live with an ostomy. A powerful tribute to partnership, resilience, and the kind of love that shows up in life’s hardest moments, this story reminds us that no one should walk the journey alone.
When misunderstanding becomes stigma, intimacy can feel complicated after ostomy surgery. In this thoughtful article, Erika Kana, RN, explores how partner reactions—whether rooted in fear, grief, or lack of education—can deeply affect confidence and connection. She shares guidance on navigating stigma at home, fostering open communication, and rebuilding emotional and physical intimacy with respect, understanding, and practical strategies.
