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Zoe Wiggins

@mystyandme

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🏍️ girl loving life after bowel cancer and navigating life with Mysty my stoma
Demystifing the hidden world of stomas
Me: @zoe_wiggins

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Four years ago today - happy stomaversary to me (and Mysty of course)

#stoma #ostomate #colostomy #livingwithastoma #shithappens by @mystyandme

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8 months ago

Three years ago today, I got back on a bike after a long break—years spent travelling, living in Colombia, and then just kind of forgetting about riding once I got home.

When I was diagnosed with cancer and told I’d need major surgery and a stoma for life, the first thing I asked was, “Will I still be able to ride a motorbike?”

The answer was yes. So I bought my GS—before I could even ride it. Recovery took time, but once I was back on two wheels, I remembered exactly how much I love it.

I passed my test 15 years ago, but it took cancer—and the thought of not being able to ride—to remind me how much it means to me. It’s only in these last three years that I’ve been riding more regularly and now I’m making the most of every ride 🏍️😊

#unstoppable #stoma #ostomate #bikesarebest #bikelife #biker #girlswhoride #bikergirl #femalebiker by @mystyandme

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15

a year ago

When I was told I would have to have a stoma, the first question I asked was “will I still be able to ride?”
The answer was of course, yes! And I’ve ridden more in the last two years than all the years I’ve had my license
Just got home from a trip of a lifetime , a motorcycle tour and safari in Uganda 🇺🇬
Life has not only gone on, it’s got better!

#lifewithastoma #ostomyproud #ostomy #ostomate #stoma #stomalife #biketrip #bikergirl #girlswhoride #bikesafari #ugandasafari #biketravel #adventurebike #bowelcancer #cancersurvivor #fuckcancer #colostomy #colostomyuk by @mystyandme

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2 years ago

Ok so we are not talking massive differences here but I'm pretty happy especially considering I've not made massive changes to my lifestyle. The top two were taken 6 months ago and the bottom two were today.

💙 I have really cut back on alcohol which has helped me lose weight but I've also had way less issues with my stoma. I've barely had to get up in the night the last six months.

💙 I joined @lesmillsuk at home in March and I'm absolutely loving it! There's so many different types of classes to choose from I literally can't get bored and there's something for every day no matter how I'm feeling, plus there's so many classes that require no equipment so I can still work out on the road.

💙 The last few weeks I've also started running and cycling.

Recovering from stoma surgery and adjusting to life with a stoma is hard but once I accepted it, life has only really changed for the better.

For anyone going through it or about to go through it, know that you can live a wonderful life with a stoma, you can exercise and do all the things you did before and MORE!

#stoma #stomasupport #ostomateforlife #ostomy #colostomy #lifewithastoma #exercisewithastoma #stomawarrior #cancersurvivor #rectalcancer #colorectalcancer #coloncancer #bagforlife #colostomybag #ostomate #yougotthis by @mystyandme

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2 years ago

Stoma, what stoma? Whole day riding in my leathers at my first proper track day riding not one but two awesome bikes.

And for a whole day, I forgot that I had a stoma! (Luckily she behaved herself which obviously helped!)

#stoma #livingwithastoma #livinglifetothefullest #trackday #girlswhoride #bikerchick #bowelcancer #fuckcancer #stomawarrior #stomasurgery #ostomate by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

Two years since my stoma surgery! Time flies!

Re sharing my favourite photo from Watford general where the brilliant Mr Cheetham cut out my cancer and gave me Mysty, my stoma

Happy birthday Mysty 😂

Life has certainly changed immeasurably in those two years in every aspect but for the most part they have been positive changes. Nothing like cancer to reassess priorities!

And on Mysty’s birthday came my latest CT scan results and it’s ALL CLEAR!! So now I am dropping from 6 monthly scans to yearly 🎉🎉

#ostomate #fuckcancer #byecancer
#bowelcancer #checkyourpoo #stoma #stomaforlife by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

Two years today since I told the world I had bowel cancer.

Stoma surgery followed a couple of months later, followed by a summer of chemo before getting the all clear in the October.

It all happened so quickly and it feels like a lifetime ago, so much has changed in those two years... But not in the way I expected. I started riding again and have done more riding in that time than all the years I had my license. And I got my dream job working in the bike industry... Which involves a LOT of travel.

My stoma doesn't stop me from doing anything at all. My life is fuller than ever! Of course I would prefer not having a stoma but this whole experience definitely made me appreciate life even more and make the most of it.

But I was one of the lucky ones as we caught it in time despite me having symptoms for a long time and ignoring them. Please don't do that!

Symptoms to look out for:

💩Blood in your poo especially if it's dark red and is there even when no bowel movement and / or mucus
💩 Changes in bowel movement
💩 Bloating and abdominal pain
💩 Fatigue
💩 Losing weight

#checkyoself #checkyourself #checkyourpoo #bowelcancer #nevertooyoung #stoma #colostomy by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

I had the best time riding in Vietnam with @onyabikeadventuresvn and can’t wait to go back

Stoma, what stoma?! 😊

#fuckcancer #nothingcanstopme #livingwithstoma #travellingwithastoma #stoma #ostomate #vietnam #ridingvietnam #vietnambymotorbike by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

Papped! In my happy place 💛💙

#sunsoutstomasout #ostomate #colostomy #bagforlife #stoma #stomaforlife #travellingwithastoma #bowelcancer #nothingcanstopme taken in Hải An, Hải Lăng by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

My new friend Bi (pronounced Bee). Yes she was trying to sell me her jewellery but we got chatting and she is lovely. She used to work in an office job in a hotel but a combination of Covid and typhoons closed a lot of hotels in this area and she can’t find work so she makes and sells jewellery.

She was grateful for the chat because a lot of people ignore her.

After we had been chatting for a while she asked me about my bag. When I told her what it was and why I had it she got emotional. She said money isn’t important, it’s your health and what’s in your heart that matters. And she’s so right.

She was impressed that I was happy and smiling despite everything and she asked if she could give me a hug 🤗 and she gave me a bracelet (I did buy a couple too but this was definitely not all just a sales pitch!)

I have found the Vietnamese people to be so friendly and welcoming. I’m having the best time here and will definitely be back! ❤️💛🇻🇳 💛❤️ taken in Hội An by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

I don't post much about Mysty my stoma anymore but felt the need today.

I travel a lot with my job, I'm in and out of airports several times a month. Occasionally airport security see my colostomy bag and ask what it is.

Usually I lift up my top, they see what it is, look a bit embarrassed and let me pass.

Today at Don Mueang airport, I had about 5 people surrounding me while a woman touched the bag, lifted it up and had a proper good look. I don't blame her or her colleagues, they obviously had no idea what it was and didn't speak enough English for me to explain. The airport staff need some stoma awareness training!

Eventually after talking among themselves while I'm stood there with my bag on display, they let me go

I'm very open about my bag, I rock a bikini with no issues. But even I felt uncomfortable today so I can only imagine how this would have been for someone who's less open about it than me.

I believe there are travel certificates you can get in a bunch of different languages, if you think this experience is something that would make you uncomfortable, maybe ask your stoma nurse or supplier about the certificates.

#stomaaware #stomaawareness #stoma #colostomy #ostomate #travellingwithastoma taken in Don Mueang International Airport Bangkok Thailand by @mystyandme

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3 years ago

Before and after

My first post surgery colonoscopy so obviously first time through the stoma.

I was watching the screen as I did last time but this time I could also see the Dr as I was lying on my back. It was weird. I opted not to have sedation as I wanted to see what it felt like. Gas and air was good enough... I tried to be brave and waited until the nurse told me to use it when she could see I needed it. Once I tried it, it was gooooooood haha should have done it earlier

Anyway.... The point is, it all looked good in there!! Nothing to worry about and they don't want to see me for another 3 years! I was told it would be every 6 months for 3 years!

Haven't had the results of the CT scan yet but I'm confident that will be all clear too 🎉🎉🎉

#fuckcancer #bowelcancer #colonoscopy #coloncancer #ostomy #colostomy #barbiebum #bagforlife by @mystyandme

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3 years ago