Rocking2Stomas

On my way home and just reflecting on a lovely time I have had catching up with everybody again after so long.

Nothing beats meeting other ostomates and advocates face to face. Just fills my heart 💜 and soul and regignitates the passion.

So many inspiring Ambassadors in one place creating change and waves in the ostomate community.

Until next time...DoctorwithaStoma .squire .stapleford Samantha
uk

Meal before the main work tomorrow at our event in Peterborough

So great to see everybody again and be reminded of why we do what we do 😊

Roll on tomorrow for more fun and games.

Also hey Facebook 👋 know its been a while. I took some time out to work on myself and now ready to try and post a bit more some of the work I'm doing and share some of the great work others are doing

To say this year has been a challenge is an understatement. Ironically due to personal reasons not my health which has been not too bad currently.

I am so sorry it has taken me such a long time to post and update you all.

I am healing and currently down the beach with friends and enjoying the sound of the waves and seeing the sun begin to set.

My buddies are part of me and I embrace them. They start a conversation and every year I clock being an ostomate it gets easier.

If anybody is new to this journey or is about to start it does get better and you are not alone 💜

I am grateful to you all and for a lovely lady who emailed me to check if I was alright because I hadn't posted for a while (you know who you are 🙏)

Hope you all have a lovely week 🙂

Good morning everybody 🌞👋

I wondered if I could ask your thoughts about something...

Next week I am doing a talk at a healthcare conference on "Effective Consent Practice" my bit would be from the patient perspective.

I am so divided on this subject of CONSENT so I wondered what are you thoughts about consent for medical procedures? Is it really informed? What is the right amount of information? Do you feel for your stomas or procedures you were fully consented? How could it be done better?

If you want to add any experiences positive or negative then that would be great no names will be used in the presentation.

Thank you so much 🙏🤗

Good afternoon everybody,

I had the vaccine yesterday and if I am honest I was a bit concerned because my temperature has been a bit high for a few weeks due to the kidneys.

At the vaccine hub I mentioned my concerns to the nurse who spoke to a doctor which turned out to be my GP who knows me well. He gave me the go ahead to still have the jab.

If you have any concerns about the vaccine and your health then mention it to the nurses who will ask the doctors if they need to.

I felt a bit head coldy yesterday and very drained.

I still feel a bit wiped out so I have put the bed down in the living room which I haven't done since my last admission to chill out and rest.

I'm sure tomorrow I will be back to my normal get up and go as usual 😜

Lots of changes happening in my life at the moment which although a tad scarey will help me in the long run.

Hope you are all doing OK

Sending lots of love
Rachel xx

What a brilliant article!

Have you ever experienced any comments to you or your partner?

Disability and dating/sex has been a subject I am very passionate about and spoke about at different conferences.

I have had friends of partners ask if they have a fe**sh for people with bags because they are with me.

I believe in breaking the taboo, we need to talk about it more and also almongst healthcare professionals.

I would love to hear if you have any thoughts on this 🤔💭

Rachel x

Disability and dating: 'Why do people think I'm my boyfriend's carer?' - BBC Three Dating is complicated at the best of times, but social stigma means dating someone with a disability is rarely discussed. After Hannah and wheelchair user Shane Burcaw spoke out over online comments dismissing their relationship, we spoke to other couples about their experiences.

Merry Christmas to you all 🎄🎁🎅🤶☃️

What a strange and wierd year it has been.

This time of year is always when I reflect and I think all of us have had many many challenges this year.

Sending love to you all and today remembering quite a few in the community that we have lost this year.

As always grateful that my bags have given me another Christmas to celebrate with family and friends (even if it is a video call 📞)

If anybody is struggling today please drop me a message. You are not alone

Much love,l 😘
Rachel xx

Today is World Ostomy Day 🎉🌍🌹

A day where the stoma community come together, raise awareness and share our life saving bags!

I have had my ileostomy now for 8 years and my urostomy for 5 years! I cannot believe how much time has gone by but also how my own understanding and acceptance has changed.

Awareness has come a long long way but there is still more to do.

The picture below was taken in January this year in Thailand. Now, I live in Bournemouth and love the beach so I am regularly in a bikini sunbathing with my bags out and sometimes people look but usually out of curiosity then perhaps sparks a conversation.

However, over in Thailand was a different story especially on the beaches. This one beach which there seemed to be a lot of Eastern Europeans they all moved away from the sunbeds we were on. In the end a packed beach and we had 10 sunbeds to ourselves 🤣🏖️ It felt awkward and I started to cover up until Darren said to me why are you don't worry about them and I relaxed in to.

It made me realise we have come so far here in the UK for awareness but have more to do in other countries.

Another ostomy day and another day of reflection! I am so so grateful for my stomas, they have saved my life and enabled me to live.

Please, share your pics celebrating this day 🎉🙏🌹

Hi everybody I'm so sorry I haven't posted for a really long time!

I have had quite a run in recently with urosepsis and 3 weeks ago I was back in again for a weeks stay. 4 times since March has taken its toll and I noticed I have been staying off social media.

I think I have hit a bit of a wall and have been busy recovering and working and found it hard to post here.

I realised how much it helps me being honest how things are and not just showing the good times. Also, when I think nobody wants to here about another admission I usually get lots of comments from others struggling with admissions, infections or sepsis

I have a little op now (replace the coil with possible camers) just waiting in a room on my own to go down and feeling reflective.

I am feeling stronger and I will be back. Life with a chronic illness is up and down and for me I'm having a bit of a run with sepsis but I have faith that I will have a break.

Having some great chats with nurses about my stomas and I am so so grateful for them regardless of the admissions.

Lots of love,
Rachel

P. S I am definitely smiling 🤣

What a lovely surprise to recieve this today!

Thank you for my really made my day after a challenging few months.

The card really mean't a lot but what made it extra special was at the back "In loving memory of Nicola Ridler 'Get up, show up, never ever give up"

An amazing, inspiring lady who helped many people and embodied the phrase "Never, ever give up"

Hi guys,

Sorry for the lack of posts.

I came out of hospital Monday and it has been a bit challanging recovering from this latest admission so took the time away to heal.

Tonight, I have my sister from another mister staying with me, keeping me company with her amazing fur baby Luna.

Much needed and starting to feel more like myself again.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend 🎉

I will try and be around more next week 😊

I'm back in hospital with urosepsis again.

To say I'm frustrated is an understatement 3 admissions in 4 months urosepsis from kidney infection.

Since the last admission I haven't felt right and new the infection was still there. However, microbiology said I couldn't be treated with oral antibiotics in the community.

Also, when I told my gp it feels and smells like I have an infection he said would like to do a sample and see but due to covid they wern't doing urine samples in the community! Which did shock me.

So, I came in last night and I'm so grateful for having a great support network.

So not sure what's next, they are going to check any abscesses on the kidneys but not sure plan moving forward.

As one of my close friends says "time now to dig deep, rest and then can come out running again"