Stoma Surgery & Mental Health

A topic we hear more and more about is mental health; not necessarily in relation to surgery just as a general umbrella topic. I am certainly not an expert in any mental health issues but hopefully sharing my experiences and tips may well help you, a friend or family member who is struggling. 

Everyone is SO different, some people may find prior to major surgery their mental health is worse; but other people may suffer afterwards when potentially grieving for their body or life. One thing that is so important for all of us no matter what the issue, is please don’t suffer in silence. 

We hear ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ so much now which is fantastic that more awareness is getting out there –  but what to do when we are not ok?

Communication 

For me communication is absolutely key, talk to someone. As hard as this can be; tell someone you are struggling. A worry shared is a worry halved. It might be a friend, family member, partner, health professional, a charity, whoever it is and however difficult it may be to find the courage to do this – you will feel some relief and hopefully they will be able to support you to move forward.

For me personally, I had 4 weeks in between being told I needed my stoma surgery until the surgery date. I personally struggled more with my mental health prior to my surgery – I didn’t know the outcome, I didn’t know how I’d feel, how my partner would feel about it, my family etc. I’d also lost my beautiful Grannie the month before so it was an extremely tough time.

The stoma nurses at the hospital encouraged me to take products home, feel them, try them (just on my stoma-free tummy) and this helped me to understand how I would feel. The more I talked to family, people online who had stomas I felt reassured.

I was fortunate following my surgery; my symptoms of my Crohn’s disease were almost non existent and after 12 years of pain, running to the toilet constantly; my life was hugely improved. Everyone’s story is different and we all need support at different times and steps of our lives. 

My main message is please communicate…take the first step and I hope you get the support you need. 

• Ask a family member for a catch up or phone call
• Send that message to a friend ‘can we meet for a cuppa, I’m struggling a bit at the moment’
• Make that phone call to your Dr or hospital team
• Try and get outdoors for some fresh air. You never know, you may bump in to an old friend or relative. Or just a smiling stranger saying ‘morning’ may be enough to help you to reach out.
• Search for a mental health charity online and find advice on next steps to look after YOU.

Please don’t struggle alone.

Charlotte @char.crohnsftwilson  xxx