IT'S A START
Bringing comfort and clarity to the what, why and how of an impending ostomy surgery.
JOURNEY STAGE
NEW WAY FORWARD
The first 90 days. A Helping hand with you through recovery, adjustment, getting familiar with your stoma care routine and easing back into being and feeling yourself.
TO A BIGGER LIFE
Settling in. Support, ideas, encouragement and experiences to help you live a bigger life. Advice on returning to work, travel and getting back to your hobbies and interests.
FEATURED ARTICLES
To a bigger life
Introducing: A Bigger Life Community
We have developed a new ostomy community on abiggerlife.com to create the opportunity to connect with other ostomates, clinical advisors and share experiences about living with a stoma.
A Bigger Life
Video: Living a bigger life with an ostomy
We’re here for anyone around the world whose life has been touched by a stoma, offering support, advice and encouragement. Whether you have impending ostomy surgery or you’ve been an ostomate for 50 years!
Alisa
Nursing school with an ostomy
Alisa has just started Nursing School in Finland, a year after getting “Stevie.” She says “I have been through multiple surgeries and done some serious mental gymnastics to get where I am today, and I am beyond excited to hopefully help someone else in the future.”
Aneica
Quitters never win
This blog is for all new, future and those like me who have a stoma for quite some time, that you can still achieve anything that you want to with a stoma. It makes it an extra bit special that you’ve hit a huge milestone with your friend by your side. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, nothing to be embarrassed about. You would be on the other side of the phone for someone in your position.
Keith
Winning with a stoma
Six years ago, when I was fully recovered from my surgery and into a regular routine, I responded to a newspaper advertisement and applied to First Cymru buses (national bus company for Wales) to become a full-time service bus driver. I was successful (obviously!) but when I was leaving to take up my new post, my employer said to me, "Go and be the best bus driver you can be."
Latest Articles
Alisa
Staying in and going online
Staying in is the new normal for Alisa with the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s how she is still managing to continue nursing studies and look after her mental health from her home.
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Preparing for your virtual nurse appointment: Helpful tips and advice
Tips on how to prepare for a virtual appointment with your stoma care nurse.
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Keith Thomas
Using an accessible toilet
Being an ostomate just means having a different toilet routine
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Andy
Office working with a stoma
Many ostomates can return to work following their surgery. Andy has an office based job and shares his experience of what it’s like working with a stoma.
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Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction following your stoma surgery is a relatively common problem, you are not alone! Find out what the causes are and steps you can take to overcome the issue.
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Work uniform
If you wear a uniform to work, you might need to make a few adjustments for when you go back to work after stoma surgery.
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Keith Thomas
Sharing your experience with others
I would choose living with a stoma over illness every time.
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