Finding my tribe during chemo

Support is really important during your journey with both cancer and through chemotherapy. I’ve been incredibly lucky with my friends and family who have supported me throughout everything, but I’ve also been open with them in sharing I have a stoma which has helped. Especially my husband, his acceptance of my stoma has helped me adjust to my new life much more easily – it’s just a part of me now.

You will need a support network you can trust – your tribe – who will look out for you and who you can trust. From your stoma care nurse through to your friends and family and even those at your home delivery service you can just pick up the phone too and check on something.

The little gestures will mean so much to you. One friend was so thoughtful in bringing me warm soup as she knew I wasn’t managing to eat cold foods. Another showed up at my door with milk as I’d joked on social media I had run out. It was the little things that meant the world to me.

I am also so grateful and lucky that I have a close friend who has had a stoma for 18 years and I was able to ask her lots of questions or just check were things ok. It’s listening to others who have had that lived experience that is so valuable. Finding a community of others with a stoma – as you will find a lot of trial and error till you work out what is right for you from diet through to your product choice.

Amy
@mybowelcancerjourney