Meet Alannah aka @glitterygutsx. She inspires people every day as she posts about life, relationships and motherhood with a stoma. We spoke to Alannah, to get to know more about her and her stoma story.
Tell us your stoma story
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in 2012 when I was 17. After trying a variety of chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, steroids and all of them failing, I caught sepsis and needed emergency surgery for an ileostomy in 2015 at 20 years old. I caught sepsis again after my rectal stump flaring and medication failing. I had my proctectomy (aka barbie butt surgery) in the September of 2015.
What is your advice for new ostomates
Take every day with small, baby steps and have patience with your body. Rest as much as you can and heal. Most importantly, own it!
What is your proudest achievement
Having my son and going through a very hard and awful pregnancy with a stoma.
Other than the support of my partner, I mostly did it alone. Pregnancy with a stoma is tough and there is very little support for it medically wise. I had a c-section and got home on day 3!
Get involved in the community
We loved speaking to Alannah, her honesty and strength is inspiring. She is one of the many ostomates who are part of the friendly community we are building. If you’d like to get involved, follow us on Instagram where you can connect with like-minded people and learn more about life with a stoma.