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This is a photo of urostomate Julie Mason Wright riding a racing bike. She is wearing a helmet and a pink and grey cycling jacket.

Accentuating the positive

From making friends at primary school to carving out a career in nursing and taking on epic sporting challenges, Julie Mason-Wright, 54, hasn't let having a stoma hold her back. Read her story of positivity and resilience. 

This is a photo of someone propped up in a hospital bed so they can drink a cup of tea and look out of the window.

Early days following surgery

Preparing for urostomy surgery can feel daunting and it’s only natural to have lots of questions, including about what to expect when you first wake up with your stoma. Check out this guide to help you prepare for the early days after your operation.

This is a photo of a man sitting on a sofa. He looks in pain, and his clutching around his stomach. It is the cover image to the recording of a webinar held by the Urostomy Association on 4 February 2025 on preventing and managing hernias

Managing hernias

Urostomates are prone to parastomal hernias. In this webinar recording, hear from Mr Mohammed Belal, consultant urologist at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, about how to reduce the risk, and how to manage hernias should they occur. He is joined by Sarah Russell, clinical exercise physiologist and Gill Thomas, a recent urostomate who has followed Sarah's clinical pilates programme for people with a stoma.

This is a photo of two women jogging. It is the header image for the Urostomy Association's 'fundraise for us' page.

Fundraise for us

There are many ways to get involved in fundraising for us; we'll support you every step of the way and spend every penny you raise with care.

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 is a photo of three people in consultation around a table. It is the header image to illustrate a news item titled 'Position statement from the Urostomy Association in response to the consultation – ‘Medical Devices in Primary Care Proposals for Updating Part IX of the Drug Tariff’.

Help shape the future of medical devices

National Voices (of which the Urostomy Association is a member) has launched a survey to find out more about people’s experiences of using medical devices and products. Have your say for a chance to win £250!

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 middle-aged white man, wearing a navy shirt and glasses. He is sitting on a sofa with a laptop on his knee. He is looking into the distance, thoughtful. It is the header image for the 'Preparing for surgery' image on the Urostomy Association's website

Preparing for your surgery

As the day of your op draws closer, there’ll be lots to think about, from what to pack for your hospital stay to arranging a lift home after you’ve been discharged. We've put together some practical tips to help make life a little easier at what can feel like a stressful time.

This is a photo of a woman wearing a white and yellow striped top. She is asleep in bed. It is the header image for the page on the Urostomy Association's website linking through to its webinar on managing night drainage

Night drainage

Getting a good night’s sleep is not always straightforward for people living with a urostomy. So do check out the recording of our ‘Ask the Experts’ webinar and hear from speakers as they explore the types of night bags available, and share hints and tips that could help with your night time routine. The event, kindly sponsored by Coloplast Ltd, was held on 14 November 2024.

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