When I first had surgery, low rise jeans were in style and they were not my friend! I had to figure out how to dress with my new body and my ostomy, and that took time, patience, and a lot of trial and error.

At first I avoided anything fitted or restrictive. I lived in high rise yoga pants, soft fabrics, and looser fits that gave me comfort and space to adjust. But as time went on, I started to realize something important. It’s not about hiding, it’s about feeling confident!

In the early days after surgery, gratitude felt far away. I was just trying to get through each day , learning how to care for my stoma, manage my supplies, and rebuild my confidence.

But as time went on, I began noticing the quiet blessings that came with this new way of living. Gratitude didn’t happen overnight, but slowly it turned frustration into perspective.

When I first heard about irrigation, I wasn’t sure it was for me. It sounded complicated and time-consuming, and at that point, I was still learning how to live day to day with my ostomy.

But once I understood what it could do, I realized it was an option that could give me more freedom, especially when I wanted to wear something more fitted or attend a special event without worrying about a full bag.