067 Good days and bad days with two stomas with Siobhan Coleman

Creating Active Lives

Siobhan takes us through her journey with cervical cancer, focusing on the life-changing decision to undergo total pelvic exenteration surgery. Siobhan discusses the profound impacts of this major procedure, which led to her living with two stomas, and the rollercoaster of good and bad days that followed.

With honesty and courage, Siobhan talks about the extensive post-surgery rehabilitation she endured, detailing both the physical and emotional challenges she faced during her recovery. She opens up about her struggles with mental health, shedding light on the often unseen battles that accompany such a significant medical journey.

She emphasises the need for greater access to information and support for individuals dealing with similar surgeries, advocating for enhanced patient education and community support networks.

"Good Days and Bad Days with Two Stomas" is not just a story of survival; it's an educational and supportive resource for listeners facing similar challenges. Siobhan’s narrative provides comfort, understanding, and hope to others, highlighting the resilience required to navigate life after such a profound health crisis.

About Siobhan Coleman:

Orthopaedic Massage & Manipulation Therapist BSc (Hons), DSM, DRAM, DARM, DManip, DMA, SMTO & CNHC Registered

Siobhan was diagnosed with stage 3C cervical cancer in July 2021. She started 5 weeks of chemoradiation which ended in September 2023.

She then had three sessions of brachytherapy in November 2023. The tumour shrunk from 6-6.5cm to 2cm on her cervix but thankfully no longer present in her lymph nodes. The tumour was monitored for a few months and a biopsy showed in April 2022 it was still present and had probably grown a bit since last scan.

Siobhan then underwent total pelvic exenteration June 2023 when her ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, bladder, descending colon, rectum and anus were all removed. The vaginal opening sewn closed and an end colostomy and urostomy (ileal conduit) were formed.

Siobhan has good and bad days. She makes the most of her good days and can do some work, run and walk the dog. On bad days she sleeps all day.

Follow her on social media:

Facebook: @SioOrthoMassManip
Instagram: _running_for_my_life_
You Tube: #rehabwithSio
About Sarah Bolitho:
Sarah Bolitho helps fitness and health professionals develop their careers and grow their businesses by providing specialist training in teaching, assessing, and internal quality assurance, together with qualifications in exercise referral and disability.
With over 30 years in the health-related fitness and physical activity fields, Sarah has a wealth of experience and knowledge. She has worked in most roles in the industry from group exercise to personal training but specialised in working with specialist populations. For over 25 years Sarah has trained fitness and health professionals to work with clients with long-term conditions, mental health issues, disabilities, older adults and pre/post-natal women.
She has a post-graduate diploma in exercise and health behaviour and extensive training in supporting behaviour change.

For more about the training and support Sarah offers, visit www.sarahbolitho.com or contact her at [e-mail].
Follow her on social media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabnewlous_active_lives
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitnesscareer mentor
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbolitho