Contact us

Get in Touch

01223 910854
More Info

Blog

This is a photo of Roger Bowen. He is standing in front of a book case and smiling directly into the camera.

The kindest cut

Roger Bowen understands how it feels to grow up being ‘different’. Now 69, he has lived with a urostomy since boyhood. As Roger shares in this blog, he’s encouraged that there’s now more understanding for ostomates of all ages, helping them embrace life with greater confidence.

This is a photo of three people in an exercise class. The woman in the foreground is smiling at the camera and has a towel around her neck. It is the header image for a page called 'Help for hernias' on the Urostomy Association's website

Help for hernias

Urostomates are prone to ‘parastomal’ hernias. They rarely cause major complications but can sometimes interfere with stoma function and the security of your appliance. So, it’s important to know how to minimise your risk, and when to seek advice from your stoma nurse.

This photo shows four people answering telephone calls. They're each wearing mouth pieces. There is a young woman facing the camera. It is the header image for a page on the Urostomy Association's website entitled 'stoma product delivery: know your rights'

Receiving stoma products: know your rights

While the delivery of stoma supplies is typically reliable, there’s always the possibility that you could encounter challenges in receiving the right product when you need it. If this happens to you, knowing your rights as an ostomate can help you manage a situation that can feel stressful as well as being very inconvenient.

This is a close up of Cathy Varley, in her shades, sitting in the sunshine with her dog. It is the header image for her blog on the Urostomy Association's website

From shock diagnosis to stoma pride

Cathy Varley thought that 2024 was going to be her year. But a shock diagnosis of bladder cancer threw her into turmoil. In this interview, conducted just four months after her surgery, Cathy describes how she has not only came to terms with her urostomy, but has grown to be proud of it!

This is a photo of a club, with lots of arms waving in the air. It is the header image for a blog post on the Urostomy Association's website looking at the impact on ketamine use on bladder health

Beyond the high

In her blog, Jasmine King explores the unexpected crisis unfolding in urology clinics nationwide as more young adults grapple with bladder issues tied to their recreational Ketamine use.

This is a photo of Gary Layzell in his football kit. It is the header image for his blog on the Urostomy Association's website in which he talks about how joining a walking football team helped restore his mental health post surgery/

Restoring my mental health

For Gary Layzell, adapting to life with a urostomy has been as much about looking after his mind and emotions as it has regaining physical fitness post surgery. Both mentally and physically, he has found new strength from sport and camaraderie that is helping him face the future with hope.

This is a photo of Wil Andrews and his wife, Sue. They are sitting in a cafe. It is the header image for his blog entitled 'Tailored solutions' on the Urostomy Association's website

Tailored solutions

Since his surgery in 2019, urostomate Wil has gradually got back to enjoying an active lifestyle again, from cycling to gardening and going on holiday. In his blog, he shares the creative solutions he has found to help him overcome challenges he has faced along the way.

Understanding and managing mucus

The production of mucus is normal and healthy. It is part of living with a urostomy. However, the overproduction of mucus can be a common concern among urostomates. In his blog, Paul Russell-Roberts explores what’s normal and what might require a trip to the GP or stoma care nurse.

This is a photograph of Allen Rowlinson and his wife, Anneka. They're sitting side by side at a restaurant table, smiling at the camera. It is the header image of a page on the Urostomy Association's website entitled 'Cancer isn't going to beat me'!

Cancer isn’t going to beat me!

Allen Rowlinson was diagnosed with bladder cancer in June 2010, aged just 52. In his blog, Allen shares how, thanks to support from family, friends and professionals, he has got back to enjoying life and feeling himself again.

This photo is of Lucy drinking an Aperol Spritz. It is the header image of Lucy's blog on the Urostomy Association's website

Loving life again

Faced with cervical cancer for the second time, Lucy had a urostomy to give her the very best chance of surviving. Now thriving, she’s sharing her story to show that having a urinary diversion doesn’t need to stop you embracing the life you want to live.

Next