Here to helpStoma surgery can happen as a result oflong-term illness or it can be necessaryunder emergency circumstances. Whicheverway your own surgery has come about, weknow what a challenging time this is andhow important it is for you to feel supportedevery step of the way.We conducted research with over 800ostomates, asking them about the waysin which their surgery had affected theirrelationship with themselves and with lovedones. You will see some of their responsesthroughout this book. Many of them talkedabout a feeling of loneliness, isolation andnot knowing how to ask for help or find thesupport they needed. They are the reasonwe wanted to create a practical and usefultoolkit that will help form and strengthenthese important connections.The expertsThis toolkit has been created throughcollaboration with an experienced relationshiptherapist, the Fittleworth clinical nursing teamand ostomates sharing their own experiences.Charlene DouglasExperienced relationship therapist Charlenehas been working with couples for more than adecade, helping them to build greater intimacy,both mentally and physically, particularly afterundergoing a major life change.Known by the media as The Intimacy Coach,Charlene is passionate about rediscovering thedeep connections we have, not just with ourpartners, but also with our own bodies.“It’s understandable how difficult it can beto be emotionally or physically intimate withothers following stoma surgery. As well asaffecting their self-image, patients may tendto bottle up emotions, making them unable toshare how they’re feeling with friends,family or partners.The advice and activities in this toolkit areaimed at helping you reconnect with(and celebrate) your post-op body, so youcan start to rebuild self-esteem. They willalso help you re-establish intimacy withothers, so you feel able to ask for help, andcan feel supported and strong, as you bringthem along on your journey. “- CharleneOur Clinical Nurse SpecialistsWith more than 55 years of experience nursing instoma care between them, Julie, Mark and Cathare three of Fittleworth’s proud team of ClinicalNurse Specialists. They are helping to supportostomates all day, every day and have heardfrom patients first-hand where they’restruggling in their relationships and whatpractical advice has helped them to overcometheir challenges. As soon as they saw theresponses from patients collected in ourresearch, they wanted to help to create a guidethat could improve the lives of their patients.6Julie JonesMark JohnsonCath DixonClinical Nurse Clinical Nurse Clinical NurseSpecialist with Specialist with Specialist with15 years in12 years in28 years instoma carestoma carestoma care7
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