Tag: ostomy

Ostomy

The Stoma Decision: Pros and Cons of Ostomy Surgery

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

Making the decision In 2016, when I was first diagnosed with IBD, the idea of having ileostomy surgery sometime in the future didn’t even register on my radar. I barely even knew what an ostomy was. Flash forward four years to 2020 – I had been ridiculously sick for several years. Failed three biologics. Diets, supplements, medications, mountains of prednisone…none of that was working. I was still having massive inflammation. I had zero quality of…

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Self-Compassion

Talking About the Embarrassing Stuff

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

Hi all. Apologies it’s been so long since I’ve posted. This week we are talking about embarrassment. IBD and embarrassment kind of go hand in hand… Adventures in IBD If you live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, chances are you have had a few embarrassing experiences. Or a lot of them. They can be hard to talk about…the humiliating medical procedures and interactions. The unpredictable bowels. The frequent sprints to the bathroom. Smells. Accidents.…

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Ostomy

Ostomy  “Go Bag” – what is it and why you need one

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

I never leave the house without it Call it what you want…Every Day Carry Kit…travel-satchel…man purse…for those living with an ostomy, having the essential “gear” with you at all times is essential. I take mine wherever I go. And to tell you the truth…I rarely, if ever, need to use the stuff inside it (99.9%of my appliance changes are done at home). But it gives me peace of mind. And, on that rare instance where…

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Symptoms & Complications

Crohn’s and Colitis – the Struggle is Real

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

Can I buy a bowel? Wheel of Fortune jokes aside, living with IBD can be painful. It can be frustrating. Scary. Embarrassing. Agonizing…Soul crushing. I can think of a lot of gloomy adjectives to describe it. And IBD often varies so much person-to-person – age of diagnosis, symptoms, response to medications, extent of disease. No two people’s experience is the same. I’ve had quite the…ahem…colorful experience with IBD. There was a period of a couple…

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Ostomy

Ostomy & IBD

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

This is the first in what is going to be a series of posts focused on things that have helped me in my IBD journey. Today we talk about ostomies. You lost me at Ostomy… For a long time, the word ostomy really freaked me out. Thankfully, not everyone living with IBD will have to experience life with an ostomy (colostomy, ileostomy or other). Some may have an ostomy due to reasons other than IBD…

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About this Blog

A Little Bit About Me

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

The person behind the keyboard… I guess you should know a few things about the person speaking to you from the other end of the keyboard. My name is Chris. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2016. Since then, there have been many, many ups and downs. Horrific experiences I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Yet also experiences of love, understanding and unconditional support which I am so grateful for. I have failed and fallen…

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About this Blog

IBD – It’s ok to NOT be ok

By cdfmacklin | by cdfmacklin

Blog Post #1 Alright people in internet land. Disclaimer: I know nothing about blogs. Zip-zero actually. I do know a fair amount about IBD though. Ulcerative colitis. I’ve lived it for the past 7 years. It has been quite the ride. Lots of struggles. A few successes. I’ve learned a lot. And I continue to learn and heal… My goal here is create a place where people living with IBD can come together and chat.…

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