Thanks for visiting Ostomate and the City!
Here you'll find blogs and links to other social media platforms, scroll down, where I advocate.
Candids from cancer round 1
Last chemotherapy treatment w/ 5 radiation to go.
Yellow like the walls. Hair thinned but not gone
Warm hospital blankets gave me comfort during chemotherapy
Day after having my radical vulvectomy.
Remaining tumour post treatment removed
Hyperbaric chamber which held up to 8 ppl. Specific scrubs.
Helped wound healing.
Had to wear this oxygen mask to resist the "diving" and supply oxygen.
PET scan machine.
I've lost count on how many I had.
Pelvic radiation x 39, or was it 40?
Machine opens like a flower and rotates
Axiety controlling me and I was cutting my own bangs (lol)
I was in so much pain here and could hardly walk.
Hands curved like crab claws. Lots of crying.
The day I was told I was cancer free in 2015. Lipstick was on most often.
Little did I know the battle wasn't over.
My dear friend made me this t-shirt which I wore often.
Still have it today. Thanks E!
Was given this shirt prior to starting treatment.
Didn't know from who then but know who today.
I designed my own tattoo to celebrate the win.
I'm no artist but had a vision.
Right after my tattoo was done.
First time I rode my bike months after it was "over".
Candids from Cancer round 2
Diagnosed just before Christmas 2017.
We had a family Christmas planned in Palm Springs and I went in a wheelchair (at airport)
as walking was not an option
How I was for 3 months before my surgery.
Constipation, agony, pain, anxiety, anger.
You name it.
I was marked for my colostomy 5 days before surgery.
The black outlining is what was removed.
Pelvin exenteration is major surgery.
I was fortunate to keep my bladder as
most aren't.
A diagram showing where my
colostomy was placed
Right before I said goodbye to my folks heading in to the OR.
This is the warm air puffed gown.
I wanted to float away.
So many tubes, drains, IVs post surgery
including an epidural.
I wept as I was sitting on the OR table edge getting the epidural.
I was face to face with reality.
When I woke up 8.5 hours later.
This is the PG version
George or Jorge as I call him, was given to me by my BFF. He goes with me to all my surgeries.
My cousin asked what I needed.
I said Vitamin water. She brought me all
the flavours for a tasting.
Getting up and walking again.
Drains hanging from you, your arms never felt so much pressure.
I'll never sugar coat how painful it is.
It does get easier but takes time.
The first hair wash/shower at hospital.
No more bed baths.
The smell of clean hair while on morphine is like no other!
My bestie helped me shower.
Yellow could be her power colour.
After 3 weeks a la hospital I was home.
Moving was such a challenge but you
have to push through. Walking aids the new fashion accessory.
Says it all.
My friend mailed me these socks
from the other side of the country.
Thanks B!
My boy Simba was with me through
both battles. He passed in Jan 2020 and as much as I love Marnie, miss him so much.
My dad got me this mug for my tea.
Puffy eyes but healing.
Starting to walk without a walker or a cane. Big moment in a long healing journey. Hands up baby!
2 months post surgery, Step by step. Day to day, then month to month and so on. Embrace these moments when you can.
Top left after surgery and bottom right 4ish months later. Swelling gone and scar healing nicely.
From a relatively flat stomach to hernias. I don't know exactly what caused them but it is common after a surgery like mine.
Repair #1 December 2019. This was on my right, my colostomy on my left. I still have hernias under my stoma to be fixed in 2021.
One of the early photos I
posted showing my osotmy.
First trip to Palm Springs with my ostomy.
Had my first blockage requiring hospitalization 1.5 years in. The NG tube through the nose to stomach.
Living the ostomy life with no shame
May 2021. Pretending to be a yogi.
Sure have come a long way.