My main event is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year (November) so I thought that I ought to do something special-hence this walk

I am grateful to the ia for seeing me through the initial stages .providing me with information regarding my new life and for giving me contact with other more seasoned ileostomists.

I had totally lost control of my life  and any information about my new situation was welcomed

One of the key questions I had was now long would it last?

I was assured by other members of ia that it would outlive me! Which is proving correct and I am now 75  and apart from one blockage 20 years ago it is proving faultless!

I will be eternally grateful to the Surgeon(Mr. Scott) and all the wonderful staff at Ipswich Hospital for their care and attention during my time there and subsequent aftercare and monitoring over the years.

One lady in particular (now sadly departed) give me back my life confidence and her friendship to convince me that there is “life” after the operation

There is a “healing” process for everybody and that time period varies totally for each individual and one’s particular circumstances

I can truthfully say that once one has accepted that new “makeup” in one’s life, it does not become a hindrance to normal living. It probably took me three/four  years and my first flight to convince me that I could have my life back!

Since then it has not stopped me doing anything.

I have travelled to world following my passion for Natural History and have been to far flung places such as Madagascar and the Galapagos Islands

And even worked in Africa (Ghana) for 2 years in my professional capacity as a Water Engineer,

In addition, I have visited several other African counties doing voluntary wildlife conservation work

My main family live in China and I have visited them 5 times, the most recently in October 2023.

Overall it has probably made me a better person by realizing that we are a very fallible, fragile creatures and we all need a helping hand at times in our lives, and to be given care and consideration by our fellow human beings

My illness made me appreciate good health and the need to seize every day and to be constructive about one’s time available

And that it is much more satisfying to Give that Take

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