University can be hard. Add into it a chronic, long term illness and a stoma then sometimes it can feel impossible. But it's not, I promise. Last year, I wrote a post on going to uni with a chronic illness and it was really popular so I thought I would do a similar post focusing more on stomas and the trails and tribulations which come with been a student with a stoma and how to combat them!
1. Make sure you have enough bags with you when you get to uni for a good month or so then you're not panicking about changing your address for your orders as soon as you get there. If you use SecuriCare to deliver your bags, all you have to do is ring them up and give your new address; it's so easy!
2. Remember to eat breakfast before you go to lectures otherwise you'll get a very airy bag and it's likely to get noisy. Don't worry though, there are ways to deal with a noisy stoma in lectures but it's going to put your mind at rest if you eat first. Plus, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
3. If you know you have a busy day, don't be afraid to have an early night or even have a nap because everyone naps at uni! Seriously though, if you know you have a full day of lectures or something planned for the next day with your friends, make sure you get rest especially if you're like me and still really struggle with fatigue. Listen to your body and make sure your well enough to do the things you want to do!
4. Get in touch with your Disability Service in your university they'll help you create a personal learning plan which will mean your lecturers and tutors will know about your stoma without you having to explain it which makes saying your going to hospital appointments a lot easier. They'll also help you get any resources you might need including helping you apply for the disability student allowance.
5. Have Fun and remember that your stoma has most likely given you your life back so make sure you have fun, go out and do things and not worry too much!
Ostomy posts are sponsored by SecuriCare and CliniMed
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