“That colon has to come out.” That was the consensus from a series of doctors I’d seen over nearly two decades of my young life… a life that was ruled by ulcerative colitis. But I simply couldn’t deal with the thought of having a stoma pouch on my belly. So I refused.
"Getting an ileostomy was not the end of my life; it was the beginning. I’m so happy that I want to help others."
Phyllis Rovner
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During college – while still struggling to control my symptoms – I got married and subsequently had two children. I then worked at the University of Maryland and later at the US Department of Agriculture. While I loved my work, it was stressful, which aggravated my medical condition. After an episode of colitis that required four blood transfusions, I finally realised that I couldn’t keep going. It was time for surgery.
It was a blessing in disguise for two reasons. Not only did surgery rescue me from a life of chronic pain associated with ulcerative colitis, but the surgeon discovered severe dysplasia, which would have likely led to colon cancer. This was the turning point in my life.
“I’ve heard that some people with stomas never leave the house. I, on the other hand, never stayed in my house when I got ‘Shlomo the Stomo’”, says Phyllis. “Once I no longer had to worry about finding a bathroom because of my ulcerative colitis, I was free!”
Phyllis credits her stoma for giving her the opportunity to travel the world. She has visited South Africa, Swaziland, Madagascar, Costa Rico, Ecuador, Thailand and Australia. Living with a stoma, Phyllis was free to sleep in a tent, snorkel and go on safari.
She speaks of one interesting hiccup while in the rainforest of Ecuador. Phyllis’ husband contracted a stomach bug leaving him temporarily bed-ridden while she continued to explore the rain forest. Unfortunately, Shlomo did not take well to the stomach bug, and Phyllis experienced a few accidents. Phyllis found herself running low on supplies. When her husband was feeling better better, they drove into Quito, capital of Ecuador, and found a drugstore that actually carried her exact size stoma system wafer. “It was truly a miracle,” says Phyllis. “I guess people around the world have stomas. We are not alone!”
And although I already had a degree and a successful career, I went back to school and got a TOESL (Teaching of English as a Second Language) certificate. I did this in honor of my mother, who was born in Poland and couldn’t read or write. Now, I help people from other countries learn English.
My hope is to continue helping people after this life by donating my body to a medical school. While the students who get my body will find a few parts missing, I’m a firm believer that it’s the defects that make us perfect.
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Featured Articles
10/10/2024
me plus Community
Travel
Travelling with a Stoma Bag: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime! Here’s our tips below to help make packing for your next adventure a little easier.
Read more04/12/2024
Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with a Stoma
Now that you have an ostomy, the idea of taking long trips can seem daunting. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
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Travel
Stoma Travel Tips
Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and understanding of both security rules and your right to privacy can help you avoid problems in transit and enjoy your travels.
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Diet
Everyday life
Living with a Stoma: Hydration
Learn about the importance of hydration when living with a stoma. Our guide provides tips on fluid intake, recognising dehydration symptoms, and more.
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Fashion
Fashion Tips for Men Living with a Stoma
After stoma surgery you can wear the same clothes as anyone else – and do it with style! Here are some fashion tips for men living with a stoma.
Read more11/12/2024
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with a stoma
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has never known life without an ostomy.
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Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Stoma Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had stoma surgery is what other people will think.
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Everyday life
Returning to Work with a Stoma
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – people living with a stoma are successfully returning to work following stoma surgery.
Read more22/01/2025
Everyday life
Back to school with a stoma
As your child begins to recover from ostomy surgery, it is normal for them to feel fearful or anxious about their needs when going back to school.
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Activity
Exercise After Stoma Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, stoma surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
Read more12/12/2024
Everyday life
Bathing or showering with a Stoma
Showering or bathing with a stoma should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bathing or showering with a stoma.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your stoma.
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