In 1985 – at 25-years-old with three small children – I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Within a year and a half of my diagnosis I would have a complete colectomy and ileostomy surgery. I knew nothing about Crohn’s Disease and had never heard of the surgery they were recommending. I was so scared, but I knew I had to get better to take care of my children.
"I am enjoying an adventure filled life with my family, and I feel like I haven’t missed out on anything!"
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Ellen Hepp
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At the time, we lived in a very rural part of Montana. My husband worked on a ranch 6-7 days a week, and I was a stay-at-home mother. To set my mind at ease and calm my fears of surgery, my family physician connected me with a woman living with a stoma willing to share her story. We arranged to meet her at her home. When we arrived at her house she was on the roof helping her husband replace shingles! I had convinced myself ileostomy surgery would end any sort of normalcy in my life, and I immediately felt better after our visit.
I know the surgery saved my life but I still get frustrated sometimes feeling that I am not "normal”. We live 130 miles from any pharmacy or store that sells stoma supplies, and I have learned to keep plenty of supplies on hand. I can never forget about my stoma. I have worked full time since 1990 after getting two 2-year degrees at our local community college. Our children have grown up, and we now have seven amazing grandkids. I am enjoying an adventure filled life with my family, and I feel like I haven’t missed out on anything!
Our adventures include zip-lining with my 12-year-old grandson at Mount Rushmore and fishing for two days in Alaska a few years back. (I was a little anxious wondering how to empty my pouch on the boat, but it turned out fine.) My husband and I go hiking when we can and ride our bicycles all summer. We fly from Wyoming to Texas a couple of times a year to see our sons and their families. My life is good.
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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.
Read more11/12/2024
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.
Read more12/12/2024
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.
Read more12/12/2024
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.
Read more16/12/2024
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.
Read more16/12/2024
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.
Read more11/12/2024
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.
Read more