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
Podcast Series - Behind the Pouch
Behind the Pouch is a new podcast from A Bigger Life and delivers a fortnightly dose of unscripted, unfettered chat with an ostomate from anywhere in the world. We believe that everyone has a story to tell and that a podcast can provide a platform for a whole new audience of ostomates to hear what ‘a bigger life’ means to someone else.
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
You, me and my stoma
Alisa shares how having a stoma shouldn’t affect your relationship with a partner. Your bag does not have to define you, and it does not have to be a part of your relationship.
Aneica
Dealing with a noisy stoma
Having my little friend is second nature to me now, but it took a while getting used to him and there’s days I still am adjusting. He looks different compared to the stomas on the books or websites that you see. I have learnt to deal with that, as someone told me that nobody can be perfect in every way. But the thing that I am self-conscious about is how my stoma decides to make a lot of noise at the most in appropriate times.
Keith
Sharing your experience with others
After my operation, I decided to expand my social media presence and use it to share my experiences and offer advice and support to others. It took off and started to grow rapidly, mainly due to my Twitter account. This, in turn, led to a lot of other things: a few blogs, a swimwear photoshoot for ostomy wear, charity fundraising, guest speaking at an event for Respond Healthcare about my life after illness.
Latest Articles
Tips for looking after the skin around your stoma
The skin around your stoma can get irritated for many different reasons. It’s important to address the issue and go back to the basics of stoma care.
Susan provides step by step guidance on a basic stoma care routine that you can follow.
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Alisa
Starting a nursing job as an ostomate
This summer I got a part time gig as a nursing assistant and I have learned so much! I obviously can’t go into full detail about my job, but the one message I want to deliver is that many things can be done as an ostomate too!
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Preventing dehydration during chemotherapy
If you are suffering from diarrhoea during chemotherapy it is very important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Find out how to make your own rehydration drink with our simple solution.
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Possible side effects on your stoma during chemotherapy – Diet
We have create a series of short videos highlighting the possible side effects that may affect how your stoma functions if you are having chemotherapy. Diarrhoea is one of the most common side effects when you are having chemotherapy. If you are suffering from this side effect, I suggest that you reduce the amount of fibre you eat.
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Clare Mee
How do you empty your stoma bag when out and about?
I am thankful that I haven’t had to change my stoma bag in a public toilet ( except my work one but that doesn’t count) as there are often no shelves, no hooks and no mirrors. Does anyone have a different way of emptying their bag? Or any tips to help make things easier?
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Possible side effects on your stoma during chemotherapy – Diarrhoea
We have create a series of short videos highlighting the possible side effects that may affect how your stoma functions if you are having chemotherapy. Diarrhoea is one of the most common side effects when you are having chemotherapy. Please remember help will always be at hand from your stoma nurse, colorectal cancer nurse, oncology nurse, doctors and your GP. Do report side effects and issues.
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Controlling ostomy odours
Bathroom odours can be a challenge, but ostomates do have a number of options when it comes to odour control. Here are the most popular options.
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