In this powerful and emotional episode, I speak with 28-year-old Lucy from Dursley, who bravely shares her personal journey from living a perfectly healthy life to facing sudden bladder retention in 2019. What followed was a life-altering path of self-catheterisation, infections, and eventually the decision to have a urostomy created in August 2023.

Lucy opens up about how her suprapubic catheter impacted her daily life and mental wellbeing, and how choosing to have urostomy surgery gave her back her confidence, energy, and zest for life. She reminds us that stoma surgery isn’t just for cancer patients — many people, like her, live with chronic conditions such as interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, polycystic ovaries, and endometriosis, which can lead to needing a stoma.

This episode is raw, real, and incredibly empowering. Lucy is now thriving, proving that life with a stoma can be full, joyful, and limitless. 

Guest: Lucy Pugh

https://www.instagram.com/uwon_the_urostomy?igsh=cWljMnpzNmRvYXNr

In this powerful episode of The Bowel Chronicles, we sit down with 24-year-old Emma from Lincoln, who takes us on a raw, emotional, and incredibly brave journey through her life with chronic illness. Diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease during her GCSEs, Emma battled years of failed treatments and biologics until life-saving ileostomy surgery became her only option.

Emma shares how her journey didn’t stop there — after enduring multiple bouts of sepsis and being diagnosed with small bowel dysmotility, she now lives with intestinal failure. Today, Emma lives with an ileostomy stoma, a PEG tube into her stomach, and a Jej tube for medication and feeding.

This episode dives deep into the reality of living with medical devices, the isolation that can come with it, and the empowerment that follows vulnerability. Emma opens up about finding her quality of life again — going out to concerts, social events, and now planning her first holiday with her tubes and stoma. Her bravery, resilience, and honesty shine through, and it’s no wonder she’s been recognized with a bravery award for sharing her journey.

This is an episode not to be missed — it’s heartbreaking, hopeful, and beautifully human. 

Guest:Emma Sellars

https://www.instagram.com/emmas_journeyyxo?igsh=MXY3OHdzdnNvOHM3dA==

In this powerful episode of The Bowel Chronicles, we speak to Damian, a father from the North Wales coast in his early 40s, who shares his incredible journey living with Crohn’s disease and navigating life after emergency surgery.

In 2015, Damian was rushed into theatre with the warning he may wake up with a stoma — what followed was something no one expected. He woke up with not one, but three stomas. Damian opens up about the emotional impact of that moment, the difficulty he had in even looking at his stomas, and the love and support of his hands-on wife who helped him through those early hospital days.

Now healthier and fitter than he’s been in years, Damian shares the highs and lows of living with IBD, undergoing Barbie butt surgery in 2024, and what life looks like today as a working dad with a stoma. He also speaks with raw honesty about the emotional challenge of supporting his young son, who has recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease too.

This episode is one of resilience, family, and redefining strength through chronic illness. You don’t want to miss this one.

Guest:Damian Bellis

https://www.instagram.com/lifetakes_guts?igsh=MXNxeGV2MWQ1anZsNg==

In this powerful and emotional episode of The Bowel Chronicles, we sit down with 28-year-old Evie, who courageously opens up about her life-changing journey with bladder failure. After pelvic surgery at just 21, Evie was diagnosed with Fowler’s syndrome — a rare condition that caused her bladder to stop functioning.

Evie shares the raw truth of being catheterised in her early 20s, undergoing multiple procedures including a suprapubic catheter and a Mitrofanoff, which sadly failed. In October 2023, she finally had urostomy surgery — a turning point that gave her a new lease on life.

From battling chronic infections and loss of independence, to now living with a stoma and regaining a sense of normalcy, Evie’s story is a powerful reminder that even through the darkest moments, there is always hope. Her honesty, strength, and vulnerability will inspire anyone navigating their own journey with chronic illness or stoma life.

Tune in and feel connected — because you are never alone. 

Guest: Evie Hodgson 

https://www.instagram.com/eviiemay96?igsh=MTZ0eDBnMGNkc2c4Zg==

In this episode of The Bowel Chronicles, I sit down with the incredibly inspiring Aimee, also known online as @NoBladderBabe.  At just 23 years old, Aimee opens up about her life-altering journey with Fowlers Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Aimee shares the raw and real truth about navigating life after her bladder began to retain urine, leading her to self-catheterize and later live with a suprapubic catheter. Eventually, with no alternative but to undergo urostomy surgery—and just six months post-op, she’s already empowering others with her story.

Now a passionate volunteer for Fowlers Syndrome UK, Aimee is on a mission to raise awareness around urological conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked. From the physical challenges to the emotional rollercoaster, Aimee reminds us that stomas aren’t the end—they’re a new beginning.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking for hope, strength, and a deeper understanding of urology, invisible illness, and chronic health resilience.

🎧 Hit play and join us for this empowering chat that breaks stigmas and builds awareness.

Guest: Aimee Herman

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nobladderbabe?igsh=OGdkNWVzeW4zcHlt

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@nobladderbabe?_t=ZN-8whwWO2aadK&_r=1

YouTube Urostomy vlog

https://youtu.be/_aQ0qU9JTLE

Fowlers syndrome Uk

https://www.instagram.com/fowlerssyndrome?igsh=cmpsY2libXNheHc2

In this episode of The Bowel Chronicles, I sit down with Elizabeth, a 40-year-old nutrition coach currently living her best life in Bali. Elizabeth opens up about her 25-year battle with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), navigating both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. She shares her transformative experience of undergoing stoma surgery in 2019, followed by a subtotal colectomy and proctectomy (Barbie butt surgery).

But Elizabeth’s story doesn’t end there. We dive into her incredible journey of embracing life post-surgery—moving to Bali, rediscovering her love for surfing, slowing down, and pursuing her passion as an entrepreneur. From coaching clients to creating her IBD-friendly recipe book Delicious, Elizabeth is proof that a diagnosis doesn’t define you—it can be the beginning of a new adventure.

Tune in for a powerful conversation about resilience, wellness, nutrition, and living fully despite chronic illness.

Guest:Elizabeth Coldrick

https://www.instagram.com/wildlybravewellness_?igsh=MWhhMW9ydjlhZWNzcA==

To order Elizabeth’s Recipe book for IBD & Stoma life…..

20% off with DELICIOUS20 

Click the link to order yours now

https://go.wildlybravewellness.com/delicious-stoma-recipe-book

In this inspiring episode of The Bowel Chronicles, I sit down with the lovely 28-year-old Sophie from Northamptonshire. Sophie opens up about her journey with inflammatory bowel disease, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 13 years old. She walks us through her teenage years filled with hospital stays, flare-ups, and countless treatments — until, at 19, she went through life-changing surgery to undergo a total colectomy, resulting in an ileostomy.

Now, eight years on, Sophie shares what life with a stoma really looks like — the highs, the hurdles, and the unexpected freedom it’s given her. From baking and dog walking to enjoying precious time with family, Sophie is living proof that chronic illness doesn’t have to define your future.

This is a beautiful and empowering conversation for anyone navigating IBD, considering stoma surgery, or simply looking for a dose of hope and resilience.

Tune in and be inspired — because stomas aren’t the end, they’re a new beginning. 

Guest: Sophie White

https://www.instagram.com/soph_with_a_stoma?igsh=MTV4cjJmOHB6OWl3bg==

In this powerful episode of The Bowel Chronicles, I sit down with 37-year-old Rachael from Northern Ireland as she opens up about her 13-year battle with ulcerative colitis. After a failed attempt with biologic treatments, Rachael underwent a pan-proctocolectomy—commonly known in our community as “Barbie butt” surgery—and had her stoma formed.

Rachael shares the raw reality of long hospital stays, managing her condition through pregnancy, and the emotional rollercoaster of navigating motherhood while living with a chronic illness. But her journey doesn’t end there—Rachael’s nine-year-old daughter has also been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. As a mum and fierce advocate, she shares what it’s like supporting her daughter through monthly hospital infusions and learning to be her child’s voice.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone touched by IBD, parenthood, or the power of resilience.

Guest:Rachael Dunlop

https://www.instagram.com/rachdunlop?igsh=MXRrM3I3eDNvbjVjdg==

In this inspiring episode of The Bowel Chronicles, I sit down with the incredible Summer, a vibrant 24-year-old who shares her raw and real journey of being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 19. After navigating the difficult road of steroids and failed biologic treatments, Summer bravely underwent stoma surgery at 21, followed by a pan proctocolectomy—often referred to as a “Barbie Butt” surgery.

Summer opens up about the emotional and physical rollercoaster of living with IBD, the challenges of treatment failures, and how surgery became her gateway to reclaiming life. Now thriving post-op, she talks about body confidence, breaking stigmas, and the empowering world of being a stoma advocate and brand ambassador. Her message is clear: your stoma doesn’t define you—it frees you.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating chronic illness, considering surgery, or looking for a dose of hope and resilience.

Guest: Summer Griffith

https://www.instagram.com/summers_stoma?igsh=Znl2dW43Y3prbmY4

In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode, we sit down with Nikki from Bournemouth, a dedicated mum, marathon runner, and gym enthusiast, who has faced an extraordinary battle with Crohn’s disease since the age of 16.

Nikki opens up about her journey—from managing severe symptoms and treatments to navigating pregnancy with Crohn’s. She shares the life-changing moment when she needed surgery for two strictures, only to wake up in sepsis and later undergo another emergency operation, leading to an ileostomy stoma.

But Nikki’s resilience didn’t stop there. She bravely recounts her struggles with ongoing complications, including perforations in her bowel, which ultimately led to her now living with two stomas. This journey has taken a toll on her mental health and family, but through the incredible support of the bowel community on social media, she has found strength, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose.

This is a raw, emotional, and truly inspiring story of survival, adaptation, and the power of community. Nikki’s story is proof that no matter how tough life gets, you can keep moving forward—one step at a time.

Guest: Nikki Matthews

https://www.instagram.com/jonesvscrohns?igsh=Zm1wdXI2ODkzajM1