About me: Hi, I'm Antonia. I got Crohn's when I was around 22. Managed to cope but was very up and down and quite often ill until 30. I felt like I was finally living the life, then all of a sudden my Crohns took over and it was a bag or pretty much the end of everything. It became very aggressive. I was working in radio and was turning 30. Went in and had the operation (it was quite frankly bloody awful), but it was a long time ago, so probably much better now. Then I took the bull by the horns, stopped feeling sorry for myself, and within 6 weeks I was on holiday in Queensland, swimming with the sharks. A new bag, no bottom hole, as it was sewn up, since I didn't have a rectum anymore, and I'm getting better every day. I refused to be a victim and actually recovered very quickly.
I'm not saying it was easy - but the right state of mind was a huge help. Not everyone can feel that, which is why I am more than happy to chat with people, show them my stoma and talk to them about the reality of it all. If you let it take over, it will. But, if you are kind to yourself, realise that we are actually quite lucky - then life is good. It is what it is.