Connections Online Booklet 2022 - Flipbook - Page 6
Here to help
Stoma surgery can happen as a result of
long-term illness or it can be necessary
under emergency circumstances. Whichever
way your own surgery has come about, we
know what a challenging time this is and
how important it is for you to feel supported
every step of the way.
We conducted research with over 800
ostomates, asking them about the ways
in which their surgery had affected their
relationship with themselves and with loved
ones. You will see some of their responses
throughout this book. Many of them talked
about a feeling of loneliness, isolation and
not knowing how to ask for help or find the
support they needed. They are the reason
we wanted to create a practical and useful
toolkit that will help form and strengthen
these important connections.
The experts
This toolkit has been created through
collaboration with an experienced relationship
therapist, the Fittleworth clinical nursing team
and ostomates sharing their own experiences.
Charlene Douglas
Experienced relationship therapist Charlene
has been working with couples for more than a
decade, helping them to build greater intimacy,
both mentally and physically, particularly after
undergoing a major life change.
Known by the media as The Intimacy Coach,
Charlene is passionate about rediscovering the
deep connections we have, not just with our
partners, but also with our own bodies.
“It’s understandable how difficult it can be
to be emotionally or physically intimate with
others following stoma surgery. As well as
affecting their self-image, patients may tend
to bottle up emotions, making them unable to
share how they’re feeling with friends,
family or partners.
The advice and activities in this toolkit are
aimed at helping you reconnect with
(and celebrate) your post-op body, so you
can start to rebuild self-esteem. They will
also help you re-establish intimacy with
others, so you feel able to ask for help, and
can feel supported and strong, as you bring
them along on your journey. “
- Charlene
Our Clinical Nurse Specialists
With more than 55 years of experience nursing in
stoma care between them, Julie, Mark and Cath
are three of Fittleworth’s proud team of Clinical
Nurse Specialists. They are helping to support
ostomates all day, every day and have heard
from patients first-hand where they’re
struggling in their relationships and what
practical advice has helped them to overcome
their challenges. As soon as they saw the
responses from patients collected in our
research, they wanted to help to create a guide
that could improve the lives of their patients.
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Julie Jones
Mark Johnson
Cath Dixon
Clinical Nurse Clinical Nurse Clinical Nurse
Specialist with Specialist with Specialist with
15 years in
12 years in
28 years in
stoma care
stoma care
stoma care
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