Follow the player- Ed's Story

Background

I’m currently a serving front line Police Inspector with Cleveland Police, UK. I and my stoma surgery in 2016, following a 10-year battle with Ulcerative Colitis.

Before my diagnosis, while serving as a police officer with Devon and Cornwall Police, I had been on holiday with friends and returned with what I though was the usual ‘holiday tummy’. However, time went by and my ‘holiday tummy’ wasn’t getting any better and my physical health started to deteriorate. After visits to multiple doctors and numerous tests, I was diagnosed with UC.

3 years after my diagnosis and trying various medications, surgery was mentioned as an option. I refused to listen or contemplate surgery. I met with a surgeon, and I paid no attention and was completely shut off from what they said. I was in my mid-twenties and convinced myself that such surgery was for those older in life, a bag would make me undesirable to women and I had an irrational fear that I would constantly smell.

So, I continued getting by on medication and as I did, my anxieties around soiling myself in public began to take over my thoughts and eventually every interaction and routine I had was based around ‘what if I can’t make it to a loo in time’.

Surgery

In 2016, my UC flared, and I was admitted to hospital. I was told I had reached a point where medication was no longer an option, and that surgery was my only option. At this point, I had gotten married and had my first child in 2015 and I was therefore more accepting of the surgery.

The next day, I was taken down to theatre for surgery. I was petrified. I felt the blood drain from my limbs and thoughts of not seeing my wife or baby flooded my mind.

I woke up from surgery, feeling very odd. There was no pain, no dull ache and no nauseous feeling, all of which had become my ‘normal over the last 10 years. As I started to come round, I remember looking down and seeing a horrible clear bag attached to me. I was disgusted, afraid, inquisitive and concerned all at once. Questions started to fill my mind; how do I change it? How do empty it? What if my wife is repulsed by it? But mostly the question of “WHAT HAVE I DONE?!”.

I was soon provided with different bags, these weren’t see through and for some reason almost instantly started to put my mind at ease. They felt less like a medical device, and it was a bonus that I couldn’t see my own poo stuck to my stomach.

Recovery

I was eventually discharged and found myself being able to focus on my recovery. I slowly started to build my strength up by walking, just doing a little further each day. Once I was cleared to exercise by my doctors, I started doing Pilates and exercising utilising bodyweight movements and very light weights, ensuring not to engage my core. I started to feel stronger, and I eventually started to enjoy going to the gym, trying different exercises and workouts and exploring my physical capabilities.

I returned to work 3 months after my surgery. After initially being told that I would not be able to work on the front line again, I refused to accept this and I’m eternally grateful for my Senior Officer who convinced me to keep fighting and find a way for me to re-join my colleagues on the front line. I did some research and came across equipment I could use to provide suitable protection for me and my stoma and this was purchased by the department. I was back, being a full time, font line Officer without the fears and anxiety I had previously whist suffering with UC.

Making a permanent change

I had the option to consider J-pouch surgery. It was the quickest ‘no’ I’ve ever given. There was no thought necessary. I felt great, I had no ill effects from my stoma bag, my life was no longer run according to the location of the nearest toilet and all the anxiety around my UC had gone. It was a no brainer for me. As a result, in 2020, I had further surgery to make my stoma permanent and I’m now the proud owner of my very own ‘barbie butt’.

Joining Team Colostomy

I came across Team Colostomy UK on social media, during my initial recovery from my surgery. They were running a competition and I was immediately intrigued. I liked, shared and commented was selected as the winner. I received a hoody and a beanie hat as well as some other goodies, that were all packaged together in a cloud of positivity. I messaged the Team’s Marketing Manager, Giovanni to give my thanks and praise the team.

I continued to follow the team’s progress on social media and in 2019, while chatting to Giovanni, I was invited to play in the Leeds game. I was filled with excitement and anticipation, I hadn’t played rugby since school and even then, it was union, not league!

Since the Leeds game, I’ve played a number of times and enjoy everything about it. My fitness level isn’t the best, especially since my surgery and I’ve gained a few stone. However, Team Colostomy isn’t about the game, or how good you are, it’s about the people. A team that comes together from all over the UK, putting on matching shirts and running onto the pitch and giving it their all, proving teamwork and friendship is one of the most powerful things there is. We sit, before and after the game, talking about things that we normally wouldn’t talk about with others, sharing hilariously embarrassing stoma stories and giving each other advice. It’s a chance for partners and families to meetup and share their experiences of having a loved one having a bag, in a safe and positive environment.

Game Prep

To prepare for a game, I’m often thinking about it weeks in advance. I get excited by the challenge, it’s addictive. I start by varying my exercise routine, from weights-based workouts to throwing some cardio days during the week. I look towards increasing reps and decreasing the weight when I’m lifting and then doing some Bronco runs as a cool down. The bronco run is running to three progressively distant points and is sometimes used to test aerobic capability. I’m not the fittest or the fastest but enjoy pushing myself to become fitter in between shift work and looking after my two young children.

The night before the game, I make sure I’ve changed my bag. I want one to be fresh on, to ensure it sticks all day the following day, but has been on long enough that I can feel confident that it’s secure. I pack my kit the night before as I’m usually up early to get ready.

Game Day

Game day and a decent breakfast is a MUST. I make sure I’ve packed a full bottle of water, a protein shakes and spare bag supplies. I also now ensure I pack a loo roll or flushable wipes, as club house toilets are almost known for running out of loo roll. I learned the loo roll situation the hard way when I had a leak during a game and had to do a quick bag change in the loo!

Position wise, I’m a forward. I enjoy running into people and really enjoy getting hit! Not something you usually hear someone say! Because I’m getting hit quite often and I have a parastomal hernia, I make sure that I wear a support belt when I play and sometimes wear the guard I got for work, just to try and reduce the change of a tackle causing any issues with my stoma or hernia.

I’m still learning the game properly and consider myself more of the team member that builds up morale with humour and interactions as opposed to a born rugby star. Despite my desire to improve, unfortunately life gets in the way and I’m not able to play or practise as much as I would like.

Team Colostomy UK isn’t just a team that plays rugby, it’s an inclusive and ever-expanding family full of people, that come together for a laugh, for support and remind each other that no matter how tough things get, there’s always someone who’s wants to be there for you.

SecuriCare are honoured to be the Gold Sponsor of Team Colostomy UK.

To find out more about Team Colostomy UK, their fixtures, or if you’re interested in joining the team, visit their website.