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Zoe Wiggins

@mystyandme

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✨ My stoma doesn’t define me, it, certainly doesn’t stop me but it has shaped who I am today. ✨

On 22 December 2021, I found out I’d need surgery and a permanent stoma formed to get rid of bowel cancer.

After the initial shock — and picking myself up from a heap of tears on the floor - the first question I asked was: “Will I still be able to ride?”

Thing is, I hadn’t actually ridden a bike since moving back to the UK from Colombia a few years earlier… but that was still my first thought.

The answer was, of course, yes. So I did what any biker would do - I started bike shopping.

I went for the GS because I wanted something I could ride on and off-road, and I knew from the BMW Off Road Skills course that these bikes were way more capable off-road than I was 😅.

I couldn’t ride for a few months after surgery (I wasn’t even allowed to lift anything heavier than a kettle), but the GS was delivered to my house as my motivation to recover.

Then came three months of chemo - absolute hell - and one of the many side effects was that my hands would cramp and I’d drop whatever I was holding - not exactly safe to ride. But as soon as I was able, me and Phoenix (my GS) hit the road.

Since then, I’ve ridden more than in all the years I’ve had my licence prior.

It took cancer for me to re-evaluate what’s really important in my life - and that’s bikes.

They’ve always been my passion, but that experience pushed me to go all-in again - not just riding, but getting back to working in the motorcycle industry too.

Now I get to combine the two: bikes are my work, my passion and my joy ❤️

👉 Have you had a similar experience where something has made you re-evaluate everything? What’s something that’s helped you through your toughest times?

#bowelcancer #ostomate #colostomy #nothingcanstopme #indestructable #bmwgs #700gs #laserfocus #fuckcancer #shithappens #bikergirl #girlswhoridemotorcycles #motogirl

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Travelling with a stoma.

Since my stoma surgery, I started a new job which involves lots of travel. (And yesterday's delayed flight offered me the chance to pop into the cockpit!)

One of the things I was nervous about pre surgery was flying, and it's something I get asked about a lot.

To be honest, I've not had any issues at all. I do sometimes get stopped going through the scanner and asked what my bag is. As soon as I say it's a stoma, they usually look a bit embarrassed and wave me through. I don't mind at all as they are just doing their job.

It's not a problem to fly with the aerosol adhesive remover as it's under 100ml, just make sure you put it in with your liquids. The curved scissors I use to cut my bags are also fine to travel with in hand luggage as they are small enough not to be an issue.

I always pack more spare bags than I need and a spare spray.

I also always pay for an aisle seat just in case I need to get to the toilet quickly! Although my new pilot friends suggested I ask @easyjet if ostomates would be entitled to an aisle seat under Special Assistance?

Other than that, it's all just the same and I'm travelling more than I ever have before!

Happy travels!!

#ostomate #stoma #stomaforlife #travellife #travellingwithastoma #frequentflyer #colostomy #bowelcancer #coloncancer

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Had an amazing time in Portugal riding dirt bikes and chilling on deserted beaches.

Just before this picture was taken, I went for a swim. It looks pretty calm and chill but the waves were really strong and my stoma bag actually ripped off! That was definitely a first.

Luckily I grabbed hold of it before it disappeared into the sea and as always, I had spares with me in my bag so did a quick change and went back to chilling. I didn't go swimming again though.

Lesson learned, take a support belt if swimming in waves!

#stomalife #livingwithastoma #stoma #colostomy #ostomate #BOWELCANCER #colonoscopy #coloncancer #bowelcanceruk #stomasupport

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#evdestomabakımı
** STOMA Öyküleri Günlük hayatta yaşananlar..Tlfn.+905352928300

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#evdeyarabakımı #evdestomabakımı
**Aklınızdaki Deli Sorular Kalmasın...
**Profesyonel Ekibimizle Her Zaman Yanınızdayız Sadece Arayın... Tlfn.05352928300 / 05303869679

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On 17 February 2022 I had surgery to remove my rectum and part of my large intestine as well as surrounding tissue and lymph nodes to check if the cancer has started to spread.

Unfortunately I had post dural puncture headaches which were so bad I couldn't sit up at all and had to have an eye mask on all the time as the lights were too bright to cope with. After 5 days of that I had an epidural blood patch which fixed the headaches and the next day I was up and walking.

This pic is the first time I walked since my surgery, aided by my lovely Enhanced Recovery Nurse, Laura. I was sobbing with relief and joy!

The next day (24 February) I was allowed home. I still have the catheter in as my bladder decided it couldn't be bothered to work on its own but small price to pay to recover in my own home.

#bowelcancer #fuckcancer #byecancer #colostomy #stoma #stomasurgery #recovery #bestnurse #mystymystoma

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Now you see me, now you don't.

Bought some bag covers to try. Thought the sunflowers were appropriate right now 💙💛

#stoma #Mystymystoma #sunflowers #sunflowersforukraine #colostomy #ostomate #recovery #recovering #bowelcancer

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The world can be such a cruel place sometimes, but a little bit of kindness can go a long way - you never know what someone might be going through.

Thanks to @custom_ostomy_covers for this gorgeous "Be Kind" bag cover 💗

#bringiton #bekind #bowelcancer #bowelcanceruk #stoma #stomacover #stomaaccessories #kindness #rainbow #thankyouNHS #colostomy #colostomyuk #ostomate #hiddendisability #alwaysbekind

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