@morethanmyostomy
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For most of her life, 73-year-old Boca Raton resident, Ellyn Mantell, has suffered chronic stomach and bowel complaints. Her first barium enema came at the age of 9, when she suffered severe colonic dysmotility. She discovered that long-distance running, combined with eating a well-structured diet, helped her become somewhat “regular.” But then a series of virulent small bowel obstructions from post-operative adhesions led to a serious loss of small bowel surface, resulting in the inability of Ellyn’s colon and rectum to function properly.
"My ostomy reflects my determination to survive. My ostomy truly is my lifesaver."
Ellyn Mantell
Ellyn found herself in the emergency or operating room every few weeks for years – enduring 22 abdominal surgeries and losing control over the life she knew. But instead of shying away from the medical intervention, she elected to have surgery number 23, insisting upon an ileostomy. That was 8 years ago, and she hasn’t turned back.
It’s hard to believe that an ostomy can actually build confidence, but in many cases it truly does. Ellyn is the perfect example. She simply loves to give back to the community, sharing advice, tips, and encouragement to new ostomates everywhere. “The ostomy community has become as much a part of me as my own beautiful family.”
She’s the president of a thriving Support Group and has started three others. She’s worked with her local hospital to develop an outpatient Ostomy Center, and Ellyn was even named the Mighty Advocate of the Year in 2019 by the UOAA.
Although in her 70s, it seems that Ellyn is just getting started. She’s authored a book called So Much More Than My Ostomy: Loving My Perfectly Imperfect Body! and she writes a weekly blog, MoreThanMyOstomy.com.
Ellyn says “My life is extremely full! A wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law, my family has held my hand while I climbed the mountain out of what was, at times, an abyss. My ostomy reflects my determination to survive. My ostomy truly is my lifesaver”, but to those she impacts, Ellyn is the one saving and enriching lives.
Products used: ESENTA™ Adhesive Remover and Skin Barriers and ESENTA™ Lubricating Deodorant
“The ostomy community has become as much a part of me as my own beautiful family.”
Ellyn Mantell
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Featured Articles
10/10/2024
Travel
Traveling with an Ostomy: 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 more10/17/2024
Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with an Ostomy
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 more10/17/2024
Travel
Ostomy 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 more12/2/2024
Diet
Everyday life
Living with an ostomy: Hydration
Drinking more is one of the simplest ways to improve your health and well-being. These tips can help you stay one step ahead of dehydration.
Read more12/20/2024
Fashion
Fashion Tips for Men Living with an Ostomy
After ostomy surgery you can wear the same clothes as anyone else – and do it with style! Here are some fashion tips for men living with an ostomy.
Read more12/20/2024
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with an ostomy
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has never known life without an ostomy.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Ostomy Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had ostomy surgery is what other people will think.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Fashion
Returning to Work with an Ostomy
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – people living with an ostomy are successfully returning to work following ostomy surgery.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Back to school with an ostomy
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 more11/19/2024
Activity
Exercise After Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, ostomy surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
Read more12/20/2024
Everyday life
Bathing or showering with an Ostomy
Showering or bathing with an ostomy should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bathing or showering with an ostomy.
Read more12/19/2024
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 ostomy.
Read more