Laura MacKenzie
Laura's Colostomy UK Collective 50k Challenge
Fundraising for Colostomy UK
Story
In September 2017, I was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer with first symptoms only in August 2017. I had a total pelvic exenteration on 1 November 2017 which was a 12 hour operation to remove my bladder, part of my bowel and all my other female reproductive and pelvic organs . This resulted in me having a permanent colostomy and urostomy created. Before this I knew nothing about what a stoma was. Colostomy UK has helped me lots with awareness and practicalities of living with 2 stomas. I am taking part in their collective 50K six month challenge to continue my improvement of my fitness level and to raise awareness. If you would like to support this, any donations are welcome.
Colostomy UK is a national charity that offers support and advice to people with stomas and to their families, carers and friends. Colostomy UK also campaigns and acts as advocates for ostomates on the many issues they face going about their daily lives. We want hidden conditions to be understood and accepted by all. Our vision is of communities in which everyone is empowered to reach their potential.
My husband just showed me this - what he wanted to put on my just giving page (he hadn’t used it before, I usual do our donations to others) but couldn’t as was restricted to 40 characters - crying happy tears. Xx 💕
On the 1st of November 2017 at 08:16am I watched you as you were taken on a hospital trolley to the lifts that would take you to the Operating Theatres. I will never forget the feelings I had as the doors slowly closed and I knew at that point I was unable to do anymore for you and that you were now fully in the hands of Mr Chong and Miss Quinn.
Many hours later that same day I was standing at you side again in Theatre Recovery feeling relieved that the operation had been a success and to see you looking so alert. The next day when I arrived to visit you in HDU you were already sitting up in a chair and I saw then and there your determination to fully recover and return to as normal a life as the surgical team had provided to you.
After only a few weeks we received the "all clear" and we celebrated by having our first outing since your operation to the Inverkip Hotel for lunch.
Your determination has allowed you to continue with your recovery making remarkable progress and returning to work just 3 months after the operation. Since then we have now been able to spend weekends away, book our main holidays and have so much to look forward too.
You are a remarkable woman and I am proud to call you my wife.
In the words of Christopher Reeve - "A hero is someone who, despite weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway. - Christopher Reeve
Colostomy UK is a national charity that offers support and advice to people with stomas and to their families, carers and friends. Colostomy UK also campaigns and acts as advocates for ostomates on the many issues they face going about their daily lives. We want hidden conditions to be understood and accepted by all. Our vision is of communities in which everyone is empowered to reach their potential.
My husband just showed me this - what he wanted to put on my just giving page (he hadn’t used it before, I usual do our donations to others) but couldn’t as was restricted to 40 characters - crying happy tears. Xx 💕
On the 1st of November 2017 at 08:16am I watched you as you were taken on a hospital trolley to the lifts that would take you to the Operating Theatres. I will never forget the feelings I had as the doors slowly closed and I knew at that point I was unable to do anymore for you and that you were now fully in the hands of Mr Chong and Miss Quinn.
Many hours later that same day I was standing at you side again in Theatre Recovery feeling relieved that the operation had been a success and to see you looking so alert. The next day when I arrived to visit you in HDU you were already sitting up in a chair and I saw then and there your determination to fully recover and return to as normal a life as the surgical team had provided to you.
After only a few weeks we received the "all clear" and we celebrated by having our first outing since your operation to the Inverkip Hotel for lunch.
Your determination has allowed you to continue with your recovery making remarkable progress and returning to work just 3 months after the operation. Since then we have now been able to spend weekends away, book our main holidays and have so much to look forward too.
You are a remarkable woman and I am proud to call you my wife.
In the words of Christopher Reeve - "A hero is someone who, despite weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway. - Christopher Reeve