This is where I share the real journey.
From the moments no one talks about to the lessons learned along the way—every post is written from lived experience with ulcerative colitis and life with a stoma.
Whether you’re looking for understanding, reassurance, or practical insight, you’ll find it here.
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Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms I Ignored Before Diagnosis
In this post, I share the early ulcerative colitis symptoms I ignored before diagnosis, including mucus, blood, bowel changes, weight loss, fatigue, embarrassment and the fear that something more serious was happening. This is not medical advice, but my personal experience of why symptoms like these should not be brushed off or explained away as…
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After Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis: What Happened Next
After my ulcerative colitis diagnosis, life did not instantly become easier. This is what happened next — the scans, cancer fear, low iron, colonoscopy prep, proctitis, and learning what “mild” UC actually meant.
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Living With Ulcerative Colitis After Diagnosis
Living with ulcerative colitis after diagnosis was not simple. This part of my story covers flare-ups, fatigue, urgency, steroid side effects, Methotrexate, Vedolizumab infusions and the four years of remission that finally gave me space to breathe.
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Ulcerative Colitis Flare After Remission
After four years of remission, my ulcerative colitis symptoms started returning. This part of my story covers blood, urgency, fatigue, Covid, job loss, accidents, protective underwear, hospital treatment, failed medication and the moment surgery became the only way forward.
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Preparing for Stoma Surgery With Ulcerative Colitis
Preparing for stoma surgery with ulcerative colitis was one of the hardest parts of my journey. This post covers pre-assessment, steroid tapering, Covid testing, stoma nurse support, practice bags, family emotions, Christmas, accidents and the final night before colon removal surgery.
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Stoma Surgery Recovery After Ulcerative Colitis
Stoma surgery recovery after ulcerative colitis was painful, emotional and overwhelming. This part of my story covers waking up after surgery, morphine, trapped wind, walking again, meeting my stoma, learning to empty my bag, going home and the first quiet glimpse of freedom.
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Adjusting to Life With a Stoma After Surgery
Adjusting to life with a stoma after surgery was not instant. This part of my story covers coming home, learning bag changes, body confidence, leaks, mental health, humour, family support, finding purpose and slowly realising the stoma was not the end of my story.
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Life After Stoma Surgery With Ulcerative Colitis
Life after stoma surgery with ulcerative colitis can feel impossible to imagine when you are still unwell, scared, exhausted or facing surgery. This is a message of hope for anyone living with UC, recovering with a stoma or wondering whether life can ever feel normal again.
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My Ulcerative Colitis to Stoma Journey
This is my full ulcerative colitis to stoma journey — from the early symptoms I ignored, to diagnosis, medication, remission, relapse, hospital admissions, stoma surgery, recovery and learning to live again.