The 19th of June is my stomaversary; thirteen years of being forever grateful to Homer for being part of me. Yes it was 2012, the year of the London Olympics, when I learned I would have to have surgery to replace my bowel; it was on May 26th that year that the Olympic torch came through Swansea and I was in Singleton Hospital contemplating the ileostomy I was to receive three weeks later. Maybe its a subconscious thing, but keeping fit has always been a massive priority for me since then – the Olympic vibes live on!
I am a huge football fan and I played football right up to the time I began to feel ill with what turned out to be ulcerative colitis. During the years of illness, I wasn’t able to do any consistent exercise so since Homer gave me my life back, I have really enjoyed setting myself physical challenges to make sure I maintain my fitness levels. Looking back over my archives, I have been able to track my past 12 stomaversaries and, funnily enough, a lot of them have involved some kind of exercise challenge that I’ve shared via my social media raising awareness as well as a few pounds for charity along the way. And this year is no different!
Stomaversary 1:
I began working for First Cymru, the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I was well enough to get back to doing what I love most, driving a bus and meeting all the fantastic people out there in the general public.
Stomaversary 4:
I have some great colleagues and one day in 2016, as I was doing my usual canteen selfies, one of them piped up, “I bet you can’t post a different selfie on your social media every day for a whole year.” The gauntlet was thrown – and that was the beginning of my charity fundraising; people donated money for Marie Curie as each selfie was posted and after raising a staggering £3,700, I was hooked.
Stomaversary 5:
I walked 5K a week for 52 weeks raising money for Crohn’s and Colitis. Every month, I invited people to join me on a Sunday morning so a lot of friends got involved in that one – and their four legged friends too.
Stomaversary 6:
During 2018, I raised money for 12 different charities (one each month) that had a significance to me and my family. In June, I was doing press-ups every day, trying to do more as the month progressed, for the Stroke Association. This was in memory of a close friend who had recently died following a severe stroke, totally out of the blue.
Stomaversary 7:
I tried out the NHS Couch to 5K App and ran the Race for Life in Llanelli on June 9th, raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Stomaversary 9:
In 2021, when we were still in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, I raised money for the Wales Air Ambulance in various ways. In June, I actually set myself a skipping challenge so I was able to emphasise stoma care during this one.
Stomaversaries 10, 11 and 12:
More walking for Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Mind and the National Autistic Society respectively and raising £3,000 just by getting outside and enjoying fresh air in our beautiful locality and for free!
Stomaversary 13:
This year… I am doing the Couch to 5K once again. This year I am trying to help our local branch of Mind, who are working extremely hard to set up a safe space for all young people suffering with mental health issues where they can go for advice and support.
My top tips for celebrating your stomaversary:
- Celebrate being alive! Get outdoors into the fresh air, you don’t have to be too energetic, just enjoy a walk – which will help your physical and your mental health.
- Set yourself a challenge; it could be a fitness challenge, something creative, or anything that helps to lift your mood and keep a journal to record your progress.
- Why not think about doing some fundraising for a bowel charity? Plan an event that might involve your friends and maybe host a garden party or do a garage sale.
- Remember to look after yourself, make sure you make the most of any opportunity you get. Celebrate the fact that you’re still here and able to enjoy life.
I can honestly say that not a day goes by when I don’t celebrate my stoma. I thank Mr Umesh Khot, my colorectal surgeon for his skill, dedication and care. I do my best to look after myself and stay fit and healthy (especially the hydration aspect). I try to encourage and support others via my social media which has not only been a great outlet for me but has reached out to many people across the world. I am now a 13-year ostomate, and very proud to be one.
