Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford | Patient Advocacy

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

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Tag: Ostomy life

20th Mar 20261st May 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Can you lie on your front with a stoma?

Female in meditation
23rd Feb 20261st May 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Why we need to talk about the mental impact of chronic illness

Stages of grief
20th Feb 202627th Feb 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

The stages of grief in chronic illness

9th Feb 20261st May 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Family planning, pregnancy & childbirth after bowel surgery

5th Feb 20264th Feb 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Braving the Big Talk – we don’t always need the “right” words

3rd Feb 20263rd Feb 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

A different version of me: Why I stepped back and how I’m moving forward

4th Oct 202528th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

World Ostomy Day: More than just survival

23rd Apr 202528th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

More than surgery: When chronic illness becomes trauma

17th Oct 202428th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Swimwear for women with an ostomy

6th Sep 20246th Sep 2024 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Product testing opportunity | Ostomy leakage detection system

18th Jun 202418th Jun 2024 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Research opportunity | Focus group for new stoma device

20th Mar 202428th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Bowel obstruction experience and fears

1st Feb 202428th Jan 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

FAQ | Managing different ostomy output

13th Nov 20239th Apr 2026 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Fertility testing journey | A short recap

12th Nov 20238th Nov 2023 Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford

Fertility testing journey | The conclusion

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Older Posts

Looking in the mirror when you live with a #ChronicIllness like #IBD or fibro can be a really complicated experience! For a long time, when I looked at my reflection, all I could see were the visible reminders of what my body had been through: the scars, medication side effects, and #ostomy bag. It’s so easy to focus entirely on the parts that feel altered, scarred, or broken. I've started a new little project, and I'm excited to share it with you! It is called IBD Science for Patients. July is #DisabilityPrideMonth, and it got me thinking about how we define that word. For a long time, I didn't think it applied to me, even while managing #InflammatoryBowelDisease and living with an #ostomy bag. When your illness is mostly hidden behind closed doors, it is so easy to downplay your own reality! Ever since I became active in the online #IBD community back in 2014, I’ve regularly struggled with seeing people I care about going through sh*t, and feeling like there was absolutely nothing I could do or say to fix it. Make up people! I really need some tips and tricks because I've honestly no idea what I'm doing. I'm frustrated with my uneven skintone. I know I can't just stick a foundation on because my face will look flat. I have consulted with AI, done some colour matching etc. and this is what I'm working with. I don't want to do full on contour, but I want to add some dimension back after putting foundation on, hence the fenty beauty contour stick. I have no idea where to position products, and also no idea how to apply or blend them 🙈 I remember, many years ago when I did wear makeup, that powder highlighted my peach fuzz. I also don't want that to happen... ☀️ Staying hydrated is really important, regardless of whether you’re a “healthy person” or a person living with health issues. 💧Dehydration can cause things like confusion, tiredness, muscle cramps, and headache, so it’s not a pleasant experience. If it gets severe, hospital admission may even be required. Be selective in friendship. Because in adulthood, friendship is no longer small talk and plans. The brightest gabapentin I ever did see 👀 🧡 Have you ever had to completely reinvent how you show up for yourself? 💕✨ The small bowel contrast MRI results are in... Video is 1.6X speed because I felt I needed to add a bit of context about my history with #InflammatoryBowelDisease, #UlcerativeColitis! If you're willing to receive the #reiki energy, all you need to do is consent ✨️ The intention or a nod is enough ⚘️ I was reading @journalingibd’s most recent post about how we’re not our thoughts, and I just wanted to hop in and agree! I’m very aware that a few years ago, I’d never have imagined writing such words – particularly the end! Peace and love, man ☮️
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