IBD, ostomy, life and me!

I am often trying out new products ... Particularly pouches. I try a range, find one I like and stick with it for a while then I find out about some other new or improved product so give that a go. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Ostomy companies are generally happy to give out free samples in the hope that they will get your custom... It's like any business.... Up until now I have researched and tried out products off my back because I wanted to, there has only been personal reasons for this, I have begun to post short feedback on the website as I feel this might help others. Back in April I received an email from a lady, Mathilde, from Coloplast in Denmark who had read the "Toilets, trees and other things" post that was shared on the Ostomyland website. Mathilde asked if I would be interested in in reviewing Coloplast's Brava Lubricating Deodorant. Mathilde explained that this product helps to eliminate the odour from ostomy pouches, as well as preven

Funny - its a year since I started writing this blog! World IBD day has come round again and I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the last year .... A year ago I started writing the blog as an outlet for me to share my experiences of living with a stoma, and to help raise awareness of IBD. It has become a way for me to work through some of the issues that I have had to face as well as being a way into the wonderful online support network that exists for ostomates. Through writing the blog I have learnt to rationalise many of the day to day issues that come with having an ileostomy - it has been a way for me to express how I feel whether anger and frustration or nerves and uncertainty. I have become more confident and less self conscious about my Stoma and I have found away of sharing the ups and downs with my friends. After I published my first blog posts I had several friends respond sharing some of their own experiences with bowel conditions. I have discovered a wonderf