Angela received compensation from Coloplast to provide this information. Each person's situation is unique so your experience may not be the same.
Angela is a bladder cancer survivor, ostomate and patient advocate living in Manitoba.
My Bladder Cancer Diagnosis
My name is Angela. I’m originally from Newfoundland and now live in Manitoba with my husband and our beautiful dog, Sophie. I’m a bladder cancer survivor and ostomate, and my experience has led me to become a passionate advocate for others affected by bladder cancer.
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in late 2019, just after my 38th birthday. After a year of treatments and tumour removals, my cancer became muscle-invasive. In 2021, I underwent a radical cystectomy to remove my bladder and had an ileal conduit created, meaning I would have a urostomy for the rest of my life.
I didn’t want a urostomy. The thought of having a pouch on my body for the rest of my life made me sad. I wondered, “Will I look ugly now?” I knew my body would look different, and accepting that wasn’t easy.
At one point, my doctor reminded me that my pouch was there because I didn’t want to die from bladder cancer. That changed my perspective. I decided I would do whatever I could to make my pouch part of my new life and be positive about it. Eventually, I even gave my urostomy a name, Peeatrice!
Angela enjoys life with confidence after adapting to life with a urostomy.
Adjusting to Life with a Urostomy
In the beginning, there was a learning curve. I had leaks, irritated skin and painful rashes. Pouch change days gave me anxiety, and caring for my stoma felt like a medical procedure. I built it up in my head to be a much bigger than it feels today.
Now, I can change my pouch anywhere with ease. It feels as routine as brushing my teeth. I tell new ostomates there comes a point when your brain simply gets used to it. When my pouch is off now, my brain actually wants me to put another one on. It feels safe, normal and like me.
Finding clothes that worked with my changing body took some trial and error, but today I feel confident in how I look.
Finding Products I could Trust
I tried several different pouching systems. Some gave me a great seal but felt uncomfortable, while others didn’t agree with my skin. A few months after surgery, I learned about Coloplast through another ostomate on social media and contacted the care team for samples.
I immediately loved the Coloplast SenSura Mio products. The pouch has a slim profile, dries quickly after a shower, my skin cleared up, and leaks became few and far between. I’ve used this pouching system for almost five years.
“Having a product I trust means I can spend less time thinking about my urostomy and more time living my life.”
Getting Back to What I Love
And I definitely haven’t stopped living.
Since surgery, I’ve continued doing the things I love…travelling, camping, paddle boarding, staying active and taking daily walks with Sophie.
Angela enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, Sophie.
I’ve also spoken at patient advocacy conferences, something I never imagined doing before my diagnosis. Most recently, I travelled solo to Hong Kong to participate in the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition Forum.
Angela travelled to Hong Kong to participate in the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition Forum.
“If you had told me before surgery that I would one day travel around the world with a urostomy and speak publicly about having one, I’m not sure I would have believed you.”
Using My Experience to Help Others
My experience also led me to become deeply involved with Bladder Cancer Canada. I facilitate a women’s support group and serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. Telling someone facing bladder removal that there is a full life on the other side means a lot to me.
Angela and Sophie enjoying a winter walk together.
My advice to someone preparing for ostomy surgery is to give yourself time. You don’t have to feel confident immediately. Ask questions, connect with other ostomates and don’t be afraid to try different products. Try free samples from ostomy companies to find what works best for your body and lifestyle. Their care teams are also there to help, answer questions and guide you toward products that fit your individual needs. What works for one person may not work for another, so finding the right pouching system can take some trial and error.
Looking Forward
Everyone heals and adjusts in their own time. It took me longer than some to feel like myself again, and that’s okay.
“Something that once felt overwhelming is now simply part of my everyday life. You do get to the other side!”
[Author Bio]
Angela is a bladder cancer survivor, ostomate and patient advocate living in Manitoba. She facilitates a women's support group and serves on the Board of Directors for Bladder Cancer Canada. Through sharing her experience, she hopes to help others feel confident that a full and active life is possible after bladder cancer and ostomy surgery.
