I have become ileostomate as a result of suffering from ulcerative colitis. While I was undergoing surgery I was married. We had a small girl named Cathy.

Four years passed. Family and professional lives got back on its track. Some sport activities that I used to have before have been gradually re introduced into my normal life such as horse riding and skiing.

We decided to have a little brother or a little sister for our Cathy. I am lucky to have a medium size body morphology.

During pregnancy I gained weight but as expected, without excess. The stoma became neither deformed nor uncomfortable. I put on the pregnancy belt only during the last 2 months as the belly had become too heavy and was pressing on the stoma.

I bought my belt in a department store. I didn’t make, or asked to have it done by anyone, any fitting adaptation such as an opening to help the pouch pass so as to get the maximum of the maintaining function.

I have always had drainable pouches: the first ones were “self-made” and then I started getting them from the lab. As a result, I empty the pouch on a usual and regular basis: no weight or volume in the pouch.

I worked in an investment bank with the public and on the trading floor. I have never spoken of my stoma in my professional circle. Every time the maternity leave was legal and provided under the Collective Agreement.

I gave birth in Bichat Hospital as I had been receiving care there for my digestive troubles. Unlike the medical team I was not worried for the D-day. I didn’t experience anything abnormal during 9 months so why should I worry?

That’s it!! The moment has come. Direction Bichat ! It’s 5a.m. and it’s Sunday!

Everything is calm in the obstetrical unit or nearly so. My husband carefully leaves me in the hands of 2 nurses who start immediately taking care of me. It was the “first time” for all three of us.

No particular pain in the zone of the stoma, and 2h30 later Florence, 3,5kg, arrives in this world.

The only trace for the stoma was that it doubled in volume (the effect coming from labour), but the next day everything got back to normal.

The happy father came in to give us a big hug before heading home.

The immediate circle can play a crucial role for our morale: accepting ourselves after a mutilation is never easy. Your boyfriend’s look or that of your husband is paramount for the acceptance of ourselves. It’s essential because it’s with the help of this very “mirror” we ask for judgement that our serenity and confidence can perform.

Surgery in 1966.

N.

I’ve been ostomate since I was 15 years old. Actually I was born without the urinary sphincter. I got married at the age of 20 and I gave a C-section birth to 3 beautiful children. I am 65 and I am enjoying my well-deserved retirement.

I do sports: Pilates, yoga, bike, dancing. To put in a nutshell, I live a normal live with my stoma despite just a little discomfort from time to time but it’s really quickly forgotten.

It’s been 50 years since I had my ostomy surgery and regarding the first pouches I can confirm for my greatest happiness that laboratories have made quite considerable progress. Thus with the new equipment I can especially go to the pool to swim, do water aerobics or enjoy SPAs.

Despite some chaos during my school classes (numerous absences, doctor visits, etc.) I managed to realise my dream of helping others by becoming a healthcare assistant.

I think that the association - and I am pretty sure about it - is an excellent springboard to face life and there should be no hesitation about contacting us.

I hope that these few lines will boost future ostomates’ confidence.

M.F.

It has been 11 years since I had my ostomy surgery as a result of rectal cancer. After 3 years of my illness I was called by the Social Security medical advisor who witnessed that I had a definitive stoma and declared me unfit for work. I was retired on the ground of invalidity in Category 2 and following Art. 1314-4 of the Social Security code Category 2 embraces people with disabilities incapable of being employed in any type of occupation. I was field IT service engineer. For the doctor I was unable to do my job and hence I filed an application to the MDPH (Departmental Home for Disabled Persons) for the status of disabled worker.

Since that moment I have held various positions: toll collector in a motorway company, warehouse order picker. I passed authorization to drive platform trolleys which allowed me to work with different companies. Today I am in charge of transport management for an aeronautics subcontractor and I have no problem with my stoma. Some of my colleagues are not even aware of that. I had a business trip and I did not feel any discomfort while being on a plane. My managers know that I have medical tests every eighteen months. I also have a regular check-up with the occupational health professional. I was 44 when this arrived and I had an impression of being useless while the financial situation was getting worse and worse. And yes, you have to think of your retirement income, the disability points don’t have the same value as when you are an active worker. You can combine your disability pension with your salary provided that you respect certain rules defined by the Social Security. My determination, my versatility have allowed me to adapt to any type of situations including the stoma. I am 55 today and I am gradually approaching my retirement.

In my private life I lead a normal life without restrictions regarding food or leisure. I go for a walk, I go swimming, and skiing and I ride a bike. I also live in a couple and my stoma does not interfere with our life of a couple. The first years were difficult as you have to learn how to manage the stoma inside yourself and you need to accept it psychologically. It’s a learning process, especially accepting it, with a fear of odours and gas leaks that are haunting us. But know that you can overcome it all.

P.