Everyday Life with a stoma

Coach and Trainer

Meet Sarah Russell

"It was a huge shock when I needed emergency ileostomy surgery to treat life-threatening peritonitis

United Kingdom

Meet UK me+™ Community

At first, living with an ostomy can feel as if your whole world is going to change. It’s normal to have many feelings and questions. But you’re not alone. With me+, we surround you with the support, inspiration, insights and ideas that you need to live with an ostomy in your own way. We’re here to help you get back to doing all the things that make you, you.

Meet Ginny Hamisch

When I was ten years old, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and suffered for two years. I spent another year at Stanford Children's Convalescent Home and continued to go downhill until I weighed only 56 pounds. At that time, the doctors told my parents about an ileostomy, a fairly new surgery. They were out of options and it was a last effort to save my life.

Ostomy Product Specialist

Meet Matt Deal

Matt Deal has been helping people living with an ostomy for almost 5 years as an Ostomy Product Specialist on the me+ support team, He's a Midwestern boy who's into Formula 1 racing, rockets and tinkering with gadgets and electronics. Best of all, the work he does as an ostomy product specialist really does change lives.

Doctor

Meet Joe Salisz

When a routine blood test during his annual physical indicated a possible problem with Joe's prostate, a subsequent biopsy revealed extensive high-grade prostate cancer with the likelihood of bladder involvement. True to his surgical roots, Joe wasted no time in seeking a surgical cure. Within a week, the man who had spent his professional life performing urologic surgery was now the patient, having his entire bladder and prostate removed. This active and seemingly healthy urologist left the hospital several days later with a urostomy. He also took with him a new respect for and understanding of stoma care and people living with a stoma.