“I have lived with a urostomy most of my life, having had surgery when I was just four years old. I haven’t allowed my stoma to hold me back from being active – quite the reverse! I approached life with a can-do attitude. I’d look at someone and think, “I can do that too!”
As a young child, I took ballet lessons, passing several exams, and in my teenage years I discovered a love of horse riding too. I also joined the Girl Guides and became the first to achieve the Baden-Powell Trefoil badge, which superseded the Queen’s Guide award.
I’ve maintained a good level of fitness all my life; swimming has always been a constant, and I played squash as a teenager. Each year I like to set myself a new challenge, and in 2017 I cycled coast to coast from Whitehaven to Tynemouth.
I’ve run several half marathons, the London Marathon and, in 2022, I tackled the Norfolk Epic, completing the gruelling challenge of cycling 200 miles in one day.
Keeping fit is really important to me; but life hasn’t always plain been sailing. I often experience kidney infections; I have learned to manage them well, and there’s no doubt that adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle has helped me. On my small holding, I keep chickens and sheep, and occasionally pigs too. I also keep bees, and with a veg patch and fruit trees; there’s plenty of produce for cooking and baking. It all keeps me busy, and I feel happy and fulfilled.
I’m fortunate to have a great circle of friends, and I also have some lovely work colleagues. But most of all, it’s my family who’ve been my biggest supporters.
As other urostomates know, there are sometimes bumps in the road when you live life with a bag. In recent years, I’ve experienced sores around my stoma and under my bag. I am fortunate to have stoma nurse colleagues who help me, but I do not have a local urostomy nurse, so no point of contact should I need some advice or encounter a problem. I know I’m not the only one in this situation, which makes the work of the Urostomy Association all the more important. The support and resources are a lifeline for many, and the Journal keeps me up to date with new developments and products, such as adhesive removers and skin barriers.
I hope that reading my story encourages anyone who might be feeling daunted about life with a urinary diversion. Running marathons and going to the gym may not be your thing, but with the right support and a positive mindset, you can still reach for your goals and enjoy life along the way. Go for it!”
Julie Mason-Wright
