Journey to self acceptance following stoma surgery

The journey to self-acceptance isn’t an easy one, and when you have life changing surgery it makes a little trickier to navigate. I’ve had my stoma less than a year and if I told you I had completely accepted it and loved it, I would be lying. I’m only human. My body has been through four open surgeries, and many smaller ones. I have scars, stretch marks and lots of lumps and bumps and now I have a stoma. It looks different to a “normal” body.

But it’s mine, it’s the only one I’ve got and it’s seen me through my 33 years and hopefully many more to come. For that I’m proud of it.

My first step to trying to accept my stoma was to own it. I was not going to keep this a secret. I wasn’t going to be ashamed or embarrassed. I think that initial thought of handling it, helped me through the first few months. I read other people’s stories and then signed myself up to do the London marathon. Showing myself and other people, that my stoma isn’t going to stop me living. If anything, I was going to try and live more.

When I’ve been struggling, I’ve reached out to people in the ostomy community, and my family and friends. They’ve reminded me that I’m still me, even with a stoma, and they don’t see me as any different.

If you are struggling to accept yours, know you’re not alone. Your feelings are valid, and it’s a bumpy road. Remember, you have a stoma so you can live and love. So just do your best to do that. ❤️

Happy Valentines, buy yourself some flowers and chocolates because you deserve them.

Love Nikki