I love your spirit and your positive attitude. So many people would have given up but not you. I too believe you should think about all the great things in your life that you do have and not the ones you don't. People ask if I'm depressed or upset or mad about having a colostomy but they can't understand just how happy I am to be alive and to be able to enjoy so much!! Thank you so much for this video and I wish you good health in the future.
Thank you so much for this...it made me tear up a little, actually. I relate to the feeling that the gift of being alive outweighs the pain we experience in living with a chronic illness. Like you, I feel that my ostomy has given me a second chance at life. Your story emanates strength, and I applaud you for keeping your head held high despite the challenges you've faced. We've got this 💪
Just joined your video family and I loved your presentation and outlook! Also am so VERY SORRY you had to go through all of this at your young age. I am an 82 year old wife, mother and grandmother and 10 weeks ago had 5&1/2 hours of surgery for diverticulitis, fistulas and an abcess. I have an illestomy and have struggled to make piece with this change in my life. Am on the road to recovery ,acceptance and routine finally. My surgeon says the illestomy can be reversed after healing so am grateful! You remind me so much of my grandaughter who is graduating from college in June! I’m hoping you can continue your videos ( last one ive seen was two years ago) also hope you are doing well!
You are a true inspiration to me. I’m 68 years old and just had surgery to remove my colon 2 months ago. It was totally unexpected. I started feeling really sick in June and went to the emergency room where I tested positive for C-diff. I didn’t even know what that was! Boy did I learn fast! I was lucky enough to be at Loma Linda Medical Center in CA and couldn’t be more pleased with my care. However, they tried EVERYTHING to get control of the infection, including a fecal transplant and nothing worked. I kept getting sicker and sicker and was looking pretty seriously at death from C-diff. Finally, they decided to remove the entire colon and put in an ileostomy. That literally saved my life. As you know very well, having your colon removed is no walk in the park! I am now 2 months past my surgery and am getting used to my new normal. Your videos have taught me so much - bag changes, new products, troubleshooting, and lifting my spirits. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your videos. Your honesty is so refreshing and I just can’t tell you how much you have helped me. You are a blessing. I will watch every video you make!! ❤❤
OMG Cecily you have been through sooooooooooo much....😢😢😢😢😱😱😱😱😱.......You have such an AMAZING Personality ( coming through our screens) ❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐💐💐.....Your video exudes so much STRENGTH for us Newbies that really and truly need STRENGTH during this patch in our lives.....Thank You So Much for this video.....You are an INSPIRATION ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m incredibly grateful for your comment. Positivity like yours makes the world a less terrifying and more comfortable place, especially for people like us with a medical condition that can so often make us feel isolated. I started this channel to connect with fellow ostomates, and you’ve just made my week with your kind words! Thank you so much for watching and taking my message to heart: WE CAN DO THIS! No matter the leakage 😉
Thank you so much, Kate! I am doing much better now. I have had some amazing doctors and nurses who have worked hard to keep me going. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement--it means the world to me. ❤️
Hi Merewen! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It warms my heart that you can relate to my story…fellow ostomates like you make me feel less alone. I hope your journey has been going well so far and that you’re adjusting to the stoma life 😊
Never underestimate the need to find the best surgeon, there are lots and lots of very average ones. Bless you - you are braver, smarter and incredibly resilient and much more than the majority of people you will ever meet.
You are so very inspiring and helpful Cecily. I have an ileostomy, after 4 colon surgeries. My main issue is that I have a medium melon size parastomal hernia. It is not causing me any problems right now except of course it does make it difficult for me to bend, cannot lift anything heavy and it does appear as a bump under my clothing. Recently I did have a CAT scan to check how everything is going with my small intestine and to see that there are no obstructions within the hernia .. I was told since surgery to correct these types of hernia are quite involved they do not repair unless there is a serious issue with it. So at least for right now I’m doing well and pray I continue to do so. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I find your videos very uplifting, inspiring and helpful. 💕
Hi, I’m an occupational therapist and ostomy management specialist and I came across your videos. I sometimes get asked to teach on this topic and wanted to see if I could get your permission in showing a screenshot of one of the stomas during my presentation to better educate health care professionals. I appreciate the consideration and thank you for what you are doing to support the ostomy community with your content. Jeffrey Despommier, OTR, OMS, CUA, ATP
Hi there Jeffrey! Thanks so much for asking, I wouldn't mind that at all. My videos are to help educate people about ostomies so that's exactly why I made them. I really appreciate your support and encouragement--it truly means the world to me. 💜
@@CecilyLivingBeyondtheBag thank you so much! Perhaps we can schedule a time to talk over the phone or FaceTime. I would love to ask you some questions and share more about the project I’m working on. My email is appletreeceu @ gmail. Thanks again and I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi Cecily. I appreciate this video so much. I’m 4 months into this bizarre stoma trip. Your clear explanations and compassion for yourself and for us your audience are powerful. Thanks so much!
You're amazing. You've really helped me put things into perspective with my ostomy issues. Thank you so much for being so open and candid, I really appreciate that. Look after yourself stay healthy and happy, lots of love from the UK 🇬🇧 ❤️ 💗
Hi Cecily! I want to first of all thank you so very much fir sharing your story. I find your videos to be very helpful, inspiring and uplifting. You are such a true trooper! My main issue with my ileostomy is a parastomal hernia which is about size of a medium melon. I recently had a CAT scan to check out the small intestine as well as the hernia to be sure there are no obstructions or issues. I understand repair is only done on these hernias if there is a real issue with them as the repair surgery is a bit involved. Thank you for all your help and sharing your story 💕
Im so sorry that you've been through so much ❤️ Im never going to feel sorry for myself again! My 10th surgery was my ostomy. Nothing like what you've been through 😱 Sending much love x
You are a amazing powerfull young lady! I have watched a bunch of your videoś and the way you talk about the astoma and its issues is so crystal clear using the normal words for all. I got 2,5 years ago a colostoma becouse i got cancer in the ass. It was in the first covid pandemy and Dutch hospitals were overloaded.. But lucky me, i got my surgery. But no real instructions at all. 5th day afther the surgery i was home. And i love this solution for the life treathening problem i had. I really accepted my colostoma in 5 minutes during waking up. But after 2,5 years you really can teach me things. BIG HUG from a Dutchie :)
Love your videos. I had dysergnia for over 25 yrs. Also colonic inertia my entire life. Just had a colostomy and am getting use to a very different life. I am 80 and my colostomy was my birthday present. You inspire me. jp
How big was your 5th stoma in the first 6mth maybe.. I just watched one of your video.. about changing a leaking bag & where you said it 20mm .. which is small.. what size was it in the earlier days.. Also you've been through do much your an inspiration to the ostomy family ty x
Thank you so much! I hope so, too. It's been almost two years since my last stoma operation so things are definitely looking up. Knowing one's limitations is a really important part of keeping a stoma safe, and having a supportive family has also really helped because my ten-pound weight limit means I can't take out the trash anymore lol. I don't miss that job too much, though. 😉
Hi Janeet! What a crazy coincidence! I'm so sorry that you've been through so many complications and operations...but it is nice to know that I'm not alone. It takes a lot of courage to keep moving despite the pain and uncertainty of having a diseased stoma. I'm so glad that you made it through! 💜
@@CecilyLivingBeyondtheBag right! Thank you I appreciate you! Yes it is nice to know I’m not alone too! Yes it sure does! Take care and sending you good vibes and success! You’re amazing! 🤟🤟
your video is such an inspiration to everyone who watches it. I don’t have a stoma but I defiantly would like to learn all about them so I can have some kind of knowledge about them and how to care for them on a day to day basis. Thank you so much for your videos and I will keep watching them. I’m so glad that you are doing better and I hope you don’t have to deal with the issues with this for a very long time if at all. Keep up the great content all I’ll keep watching. You are such an inspiration
Aw, thanks so much Susan! My surgeon essentially dismissed the prolapses until they were so large that I couldn't wear normal bags any longer, giving me the usual speech about icing it and lying down as often as possible. It wasn't until the prolapse began restricting blood flow to the bowel tissue that she became concerned. Still, she didn't feel comfortable operating on it herself, which is why I traveled out to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a revision operation. I think that surgeons tend to have a high threshold for recommending an operation, so it took her a long time to see the prolpases as a threat to my life. While appreciated her caution, the prolpases were clearly becoming intolerable. That experience certainly taught me a lot about how surgeons operate, and what they consider an "emergency," lol!
I love your spirit and your positive attitude. So many people would have given up but not you. I too believe you should think about all the great things in your life that you do have and not the ones you don't. People ask if I'm depressed or upset or mad about having a colostomy but they can't understand just how happy I am to be alive and to be able to enjoy so much!! Thank you so much for this video and I wish you good health in the future.
Thank you so much for this...it made me tear up a little, actually. I relate to the feeling that the gift of being alive outweighs the pain we experience in living with a chronic illness. Like you, I feel that my ostomy has given me a second chance at life. Your story emanates strength, and I applaud you for keeping your head held high despite the challenges you've faced. We've got this 💪
Just joined your video family and I loved your presentation and outlook! Also am so VERY SORRY you had to go through all of this at your young age. I am an 82 year old wife, mother and grandmother and 10 weeks ago had 5&1/2 hours of surgery for diverticulitis, fistulas and an abcess. I have an illestomy and have struggled to make piece with this change in my life. Am on the road to recovery ,acceptance and routine finally. My surgeon says the illestomy can be reversed after healing so am grateful! You remind me so much of my grandaughter who is graduating from college in June! I’m hoping you can continue your videos ( last one ive seen was two years ago) also hope you are doing well!
You are a true inspiration to me. I’m 68 years old and just had surgery to remove my colon 2 months ago. It was totally unexpected. I started feeling really sick in June and went to the emergency room where I tested positive for C-diff. I didn’t even know what that was! Boy did I learn fast! I was lucky enough to be at Loma Linda Medical Center in CA and couldn’t be more pleased with my care. However, they tried EVERYTHING to get control of the infection, including a fecal transplant and nothing worked. I kept getting sicker and sicker and was looking pretty seriously at death from C-diff. Finally, they decided to remove the entire colon and put in an ileostomy. That literally saved my life. As you know very well, having your colon removed is no walk in the park! I am now 2 months past my surgery and am getting used to my new normal. Your videos have taught me so much - bag changes, new products, troubleshooting, and lifting my spirits. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your videos. Your honesty is so refreshing and I just can’t tell you how much you have helped me. You are a blessing. I will watch every video you make!! ❤❤
OMG Cecily you have been through sooooooooooo much....😢😢😢😢😱😱😱😱😱.......You have such an AMAZING Personality ( coming through our screens) ❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐💐💐.....Your video exudes so much STRENGTH for us Newbies that really and truly need STRENGTH during this patch in our lives.....Thank You So Much for this video.....You are an INSPIRATION ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m incredibly grateful for your comment. Positivity like yours makes the world a less terrifying and more comfortable place, especially for people like us with a medical condition that can so often make us feel isolated. I started this channel to connect with fellow ostomates, and you’ve just made my week with your kind words! Thank you so much for watching and taking my message to heart: WE CAN DO THIS! No matter the leakage 😉
God bless and keep you, gal. At 74 I just got a stoma and I thought I had it bad. I will think of you and your courage next time I feel low.
You are so very very brave girl ,bless you ,hope it is all behind you.
Thank you so much, Kate! I am doing much better now. I have had some amazing doctors and nurses who have worked hard to keep me going. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement--it means the world to me. ❤️
Bless you girl! I can't imagine how difficult this all was for a young woman. You inspire this old lady!
Wow, so glad you are better now..keep smiling
Thanks for all your invaluable advice. I am 7 days being an ileostomate, having had an appendicostomy for the past 11 months. Such a journey
You are so right about everything you have said in this Video....I have a ostomy too...it helps to hear someone that understands
Hi Merewen! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It warms my heart that you can relate to my story…fellow ostomates like you make me feel less alone. I hope your journey has been going well so far and that you’re adjusting to the stoma life 😊
Amazing story. Hang in there. You deserve a full life. It will come your way.
Never underestimate the need to find the best surgeon, there are lots and lots of very average ones. Bless you - you are braver, smarter and incredibly resilient and much more than the majority of people you will ever meet.
You are so very inspiring and helpful Cecily. I have an ileostomy, after 4 colon surgeries. My main issue is that I have a medium melon size parastomal hernia. It is not causing me any problems right now except of course it does make it difficult for me to bend, cannot lift anything heavy and it does appear as a bump under my clothing. Recently I did have a CAT scan to check how everything is going with my small intestine and to see that there are no obstructions within the hernia .. I was told since surgery to correct these types of hernia are quite involved they do not repair unless there is a serious issue with it. So at least for right now I’m doing well and pray I continue to do so. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I find your videos very uplifting, inspiring and helpful. 💕
Oh Cecily, you are one tough cookie! Thinking of you, and best wishes from Brisbane, Australia.
Hi, I’m an occupational therapist and ostomy management specialist and I came across your videos. I sometimes get asked to teach on this topic and wanted to see if I could get your permission in showing a screenshot of one of the stomas during my presentation to better educate health care professionals. I appreciate the consideration and thank you for what you are doing to support the ostomy community with your content. Jeffrey Despommier, OTR, OMS, CUA, ATP
Hi there Jeffrey! Thanks so much for asking, I wouldn't mind that at all. My videos are to help educate people about ostomies so that's exactly why I made them. I really appreciate your support and encouragement--it truly means the world to me. 💜
@@CecilyLivingBeyondtheBag thank you so much! Perhaps we can schedule a time to talk over the phone or FaceTime. I would love to ask you some questions and share more about the project I’m working on. My email is appletreeceu @ gmail. Thanks again and I hope you have a great weekend!
I’d love to chat! I’ll send you an email soon 😊
Hi Cecily. I appreciate this video so much. I’m 4 months into this bizarre stoma trip. Your clear explanations and compassion for yourself and for us your audience are powerful.
Thanks so much!
Power of resilience for sure. Thank you so much for sharing! I hope you are doing better.
I hope you now get time to be yourself, without pain or discomfort. Good look and keep up the videos.
Thank you so much, Iggie! I certainly will do my best. You're the absolute sweetest 💜
You're amazing. You've really helped me put things into perspective with my ostomy issues. Thank you so much for being so open and candid, I really appreciate that. Look after yourself stay healthy and happy, lots of love from the UK 🇬🇧 ❤️ 💗
You're such a precious and beautiful young woman. It even shows in your voice. You made my day!
Hi Cecily! I want to first of all thank you so very much fir sharing your story. I find your videos to be very helpful, inspiring and uplifting. You are such a true trooper! My main issue with my ileostomy is a parastomal hernia which is about size of a medium melon. I recently had a CAT scan to check out the small intestine as well as the hernia to be sure there are no obstructions or issues. I understand repair is only done on these hernias if there is a real issue with them as the repair surgery is a bit involved. Thank you for all your help and sharing your story 💕
Im so sorry that you've been through so much ❤️
Im never going to feel sorry for myself again!
My 10th surgery was my ostomy.
Nothing like what you've been through 😱
Sending much love x
Thank you for sharing...many Blessings and continued healing. Resilience is real...
You are a amazing powerfull young lady!
I have watched a bunch of your videoś and the way you talk about the astoma and its issues is so crystal clear using the normal words for all.
I got 2,5 years ago a colostoma becouse i got cancer in the ass. It was in the first covid pandemy and Dutch hospitals were overloaded.. But lucky me, i got my surgery. But no real instructions at all. 5th day afther the surgery i was home.
And i love this solution for the life treathening problem i had. I really accepted my colostoma in 5 minutes during waking up. But after 2,5 years you really can teach me things.
BIG HUG from a Dutchie :)
Love your videos. I had dysergnia for over 25 yrs. Also colonic inertia my entire life. Just had a colostomy and am getting use to a very different life. I am 80 and my colostomy was my birthday present. You inspire me. jp
What a journey glad ur on the mend never had surgery but ischemic colitis get the pain push urself don’t wait just do it. Glad ur in a good spot now
Oh my word. You are so brave ❤️🔥🙏❤️🔥
You're wonderful, our stories have a lot of similarities and people don't realise how difficult bowel and poop issues are ✌
This has been a while ago. How are you doing now? What you shared has helped me a lot.
This video is a couple of years old but I’ve just come across it. I hope you’re well. Xx
How big was your 5th stoma in the first 6mth maybe.. I just watched one of your video.. about changing a leaking bag & where you said it 20mm .. which is small.. what size was it in the earlier days..
Also you've been through do much your an inspiration to the ostomy family ty x
I hope your stoma remains issue free!
Thank you so much! I hope so, too. It's been almost two years since my last stoma operation so things are definitely looking up. Knowing one's limitations is a really important part of keeping a stoma safe, and having a supportive family has also really helped because my ten-pound weight limit means I can't take out the trash anymore lol. I don't miss that job too much, though. 😉
Omg! I had the same issues with my aromas and I had to have 5 as well! 😩😩😩😩
Hi Janeet! What a crazy coincidence! I'm so sorry that you've been through so many complications and operations...but it is nice to know that I'm not alone. It takes a lot of courage to keep moving despite the pain and uncertainty of having a diseased stoma. I'm so glad that you made it through! 💜
@@CecilyLivingBeyondtheBag right! Thank you I appreciate you! Yes it is nice to know I’m not alone too! Yes it sure does! Take care and sending you good vibes and success! You’re amazing! 🤟🤟
your video is such an
inspiration to everyone who watches it. I don’t have a stoma but I defiantly would like to learn all about them so I can have some kind of knowledge about them and how to care for them on a day to day basis. Thank you so much for your videos and I will keep watching them. I’m so glad that you are doing better and I hope you don’t have to deal with the issues with this for a very long time if at all. Keep up the great content all I’ll keep watching. You are such an inspiration
Why did your surgeon wait so long to help you??? Unacceptable. You are too pretty to have dealed with that.
Aw, thanks so much Susan! My surgeon essentially dismissed the prolapses until they were so large that I couldn't wear normal bags any longer, giving me the usual speech about icing it and lying down as often as possible. It wasn't until the prolapse began restricting blood flow to the bowel tissue that she became concerned. Still, she didn't feel comfortable operating on it herself, which is why I traveled out to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a revision operation. I think that surgeons tend to have a high threshold for recommending an operation, so it took her a long time to see the prolpases as a threat to my life. While appreciated her caution, the prolpases were clearly becoming intolerable. That experience certainly taught me a lot about how surgeons operate, and what they consider an "emergency," lol!
God bless you… thank you so much … I got my mind right!! ♥️🫵🏼🙏🏼🌻
You're wonderful, our stories have a lot of similarities and people don't realise how difficult bowel and poop issues are ✌