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
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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Alisa
Navigating events with an ostomy
Going to events, such as concerts, weddings, family gatherings or house parties with an ostomy can be a bit scary at first. But with a little bit of preparing anything can be done.
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Protecting your stomach muscles following stoma surgery
After stoma surgery, or any other type of abdominal surgery you can be at risk of developing a hernia due to the weakness in the muscle caused by surgery. There are a few types of support wear available that can help to protect your stomach muscles but also help prevent a hernia developing.
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Clare Mee
Understanding your feelings as a new ostomate
Having a stoma will not stop you doing anything at all once you are fully recovered and that is very important to understand. It will not shorten your life, nor will it will not stop you eating your favourite food.
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Andy
Andy debunks common myths about living with a stoma
Having a stoma will not stop you doing anything at all once you are fully recovered and that is very important to understand. It will not shorten your life, nor will it will not stop you eating your favourite food.
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Our top 15 feel good movies
When you are recovering from surgery, it's likely that you will watch a few movies. The team at A Bigger life have pulled together their favourite feel good movies in this blog.
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