Had a really good birthday today. My fiance took me out for lunch at a new burger place and then we did a little bit of shopping before heading home to cool down and relax. It’s been a super hot day so we didn’t really want to do much. I’ve eaten most of a tub of ice cream and am contemplating if I should eat the rest.

Had a great Father’s Day BBQ with my fiance and both sets of parents. I’ve been pretty tired today (probably from going back to work this week) but I had a good day anyway. Also, I got loads of cuddles with Button who is pointedly ignoring me in this picture.

First week back at work

So I went back to work on Wednesday this week, only for four hour shifts but I’m still really tired. Hopefully, I’ll be less tired as I do more; I’m increasing my hours each week until I’m back up to full-time again which I think is the best way to go. I need to get back into a routine of getting up early and being on my feet for most of the day.

I saw my stoma nurse this afternoon and it seems I’m having a slight reaction to the adhesive of my ostomy bags. This could be to do with it getting much warmer recently so it may be a heat rash being irritated by the adhesive.

Also, she believes the reason I’ve had several bags in a row leak is because the opening of my stoma has shifted from top-centre to top-right so when it does it’s thing, the output is all going onto the same patch of bag which was causing it to corrode away faster, leading to it leaking. In order to combat this, I’m trying new bags. These ones look the same but they have a bump on the back that pushes into my tummy slightly in order to keep my stoma “upright” so when it’s active, the output should be a bit more even. I’m trialling two different types; the other ones has the same bump but has a different adhesive. It feels a little weird at the moment but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I hope this solves the issues.

En route to Winchester to meet up with work colleagues then we’re all going out for a meal. This’ll be the first time I’ve seen any of them (aside from my manager) in more than two months. I’m a little nervous but also looking forward to it.
I go back to work on Wednesday but only for a short, four-hour shift. I’m doing a gradual increase of hours each week so I don’t overdo it and end up needing time off again. I can’t wait for things to be back to normal.

I called my stoma nurse today and got an appointment for Monday because the skin around my stoma has been red and soar for the last few days. I hope it’s nothing serious. I really don’t want to have change my bag type (I really like these ones – drainable, one-piece) so hopefully, I just need to use some barrier cream/wipes for a bit.