Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford | Patient Advocacy

Inflammatory bowel disease, ostomy, chronic pain, PTSD, and mental wellbeing.

Menu Skip to content
  • About me
  • IBD
  • Ostomy
  • Mental health
  • Chronic pain
  • Fertility Testing
  • FAQ
  • Research opportunities
  • Work with me
  • Contact me
  • 🔍 Search
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Bluesky
  • Threads
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
2nd Jun 20187th Dec 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

What people with IBD should know

10th Aug 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Series | How ulcerative colitis impacted my friendships

5th Aug 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

FAQ | What can I wear with an ostomy bag?

22nd Jul 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Trying to find balance with IBD pain

21st Jul 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

IBD and sex

13th Jul 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Hollister | Sharing their voices to inspire and encourage others

6th Jul 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Recovering from emergency stoma surgery

26th Jun 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Series | How ulcerative colitis impacted my romantic relationships

31st May 202122nd Aug 2024 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

FAQ | Travel tips for ostomates

28th May 202128th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Eating out with an ostomy

20th May 202128th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Identifying your IBD triggers

11th May 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

How IBD has impacted my teeth

6th May 202127th Mar 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Why I celebrate World IBD Day every year

6th May 202122nd Aug 2024 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Mental health awareness week | Ostomy edition

22nd Apr 202128th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

To eat, or not to eat? That is the question.

8th Apr 202119th Jun 2024 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Body confidence part 2 | Accepting my new body with an ostomy

Posts navigation

Older Posts
Newer posts

It took me seven years after my #UlcerativeColitis diagnosis to finally talk about the emergency surgery, the sepsis, and the complications that followed. When I started sharing in 2014, I was doing it from a place of anger because I was tired of being misjudged. At the time, I didn't have the language for the grief I was carrying, and even the word "feelings" made me cringe. Not much of a roasting 😂😂 I'd love that! 🌿 Grief is a word we usually associate with losing someone, but when you are diagnosed with a lifelong #ChronicIllness, you are grieving too. You are grieving the loss of your healthy self, the person you were in your best memories, and the future you thought you would have. Don't worry, I haven't gone to the "dark side" 🙈 Having to fact-check everything you see online really sucks. There's a big disappointment in feeling inspired by a story or a cute fact, only to realise it was fake, AI-generated bullsh*t. Whether it’s a heartwarming celeb story that never happened or a perfect AI animal, the lack of digital authenticity makes the internet a weird place! I am currently layered up like an onion, because my nervous system does not like winter! 🏳 Study morning 📖🖊 When I first looked for information on #Pregnancy after bowel surgery, I found plenty of clinical statistics, but very little that felt real. I wanted to know what it actually felt like in a body like mine, with seven surgeries and a complex history. It looks like ChatGPT thinks I'm a psychologist 😂 Remind yourself who the Fuck you are today. You are good enough! ✨ When we live with #Crohns, #Colitis, or #Fibromyalgia, we are experts at the physical talk. We can list meds and explain a #Stoma without blinking, but the mental toll is often much harder to put into words. Just a quick update in response to the comments on the previous post asking people if their sensura mio was behaving! I had a lot of comments recommending things, so I just want to clarify, I'm not looking for additional products. IF something has changed in the manufacturing process or the adhesive, then I'll obviously need to shop around for a new bag, but it was just a manufacturing error that is not ongoing, then there's zero need.
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Buy me a coffee ☕️

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

£5.00
£10.00
£15.00
£5.00
£15.00
£100.00
£5.00
£15.00
£100.00

Or enter a custom amount

£

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Blog at WordPress.com.
Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford | Patient Advocacy
Blog at WordPress.com.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford | Patient Advocacy
    • Join 52 other subscribers.
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford | Patient Advocacy
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...