New social group for people with stomas launched in Worksop
A new social group set up by two Worksop women for people who have stomas, and their families, launches this week.
It has been set up by friends Sue McManus and Sarah Knowles, who identified a need for it in this area.
Sue had a stoma fitted eight years ago during an emergency operation.
She knew no-one else locally who had one, and on discovering that there are 380 people in the Bassetlaw area with stomas fitted, felt there should be a place to bring them together.
Sarah, 39, got on board after Sue took her Scottie dog, Monty, to her for training, and the pair became friends.
Retired legal worker Sue is also now employed by Sarah part-time, and is back to enjoying life to the full.
Sue, 72, said: "I have lived with an Ileostomy for eight-and-a-half years now, having had a blockage caused by diverticulitis.
"The blockage caused me to undergo emergency surgery, resulting in me waking up with a stoma.
"I was convinced I’d got cancer and was so frightened of this potential diagnosis that I wasn’t really bothered about having a stoma.
"Luckily the tumour in my bowel was benign, but it was discovered that there was a cancerous growth on my appendix, which was completely removed".
Sue added: " I’m grateful for my stoma as it actually saved my life. A stoma does come with its challenges but I’ve always embraced it.
"I was extremely nervous about going swimming but got back in the water within a year of my surgery."
She added: "Now, at the age of 72, I have walked two half-marathon hikes for MacMillan and am signed up for another this year.
"Sarah has understood the challenges I’ve faced and I couldn’t have done this without her."
To have a stoma fitted is to undergo a major operation in which a part of the bowel is brought through the stomach and resides externally where a bag will collect waste.
Sue is keen to see provision of more clean, stoma-friendly toilets locally, as it can be a struggle to deal with in cramped facilities.
The pair have sought guidance from Coloplast UK, Colostomy UK and other local businesses including counsellors, support nurses, sports coaches and dieticians, to help make the new social group a vital asset.
Meet-ups going forward will take place on the last Saturday of the month, every month, from 11am at Fusion Energy Cafe, Worksop.