I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in January 2020 and had the operation to remove my bladder two months later, and therefore have been an ostomate ever since.
I have to say that the “waiting time” between diagnosis and operation, was very difficult and emotional. The diagnosis was such a shock to me, a normally very healthy person, and there were so many decisions to make about my treatment. My recovery was not helped because of the restrictions of covid. I was also worried about the reactions of family and friends.
Five years on, it’s a completely different story! I manage my bag in a confident way, and I don’t think there is anything that I did before, that I can’t do now. Travelling, playing with grandchildren, swimming, cooking, etc. Family and friends have taken it in their stride. As my little grandson said “you have the be really, really careful with Granny, because she’s really, really old”. My bag does not define me. (And I’m not THAT old)!