GUEST POST: 6 Tips For Working with IBD and an Ostomy
I’m Krista Deveau, I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with my husband Jay. I’m a Kindergarten teacher and a passionate ostomate and IBD advocate. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2001 at the age of 9. I spent years struggling with my Crohn’s Disease until I opted for ostomy surgery in April 2018. Having my ostomy has changed my life for the better. Come join me at @my.gut.instinct to follow my journey with IBD and my ostomy, Stella. Fun fact: I am fluent in French. I was raised in a French community with a French family and attended a French school from preK-12.
Working with IBD and an ostomy may look different for everybody. We all know that IBD can look different from patient to patient. Just because something works well for you, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll work for the next person. Symptoms may also vary from patient to patient, some may experience frequent and urgent diarrhea while others may deal with constipation. That being said, I will share what works best for me, my IBD, my ostomy and my career.
I’ve always had a good work ethic. I’ve never wanted to use my disease as an excuse not to accomplish something. At times, it meant I had to work a little harder but I’ve always been determined to put in 110% into everything I do. I don’t like to half a** things. So that being said, I worked extremely hard to earn my Education Degree and to get where I am today in my teaching career.
We all know that everything takes up so many more spoons when you are chronically ill. However, I seem to have forgotten about that before I had my ostomy. My mindset before would be to power through, push through, and fake it until you make it and I did exactly that when I started my teaching career in 2015 even when I presented with so many symptoms.
I was even hesitant to start teaching that year because I only had my second bowel resection surgery three months prior. But the opportunity and job basically fell into my lap and it wasn’t something I could refuse so I bit the bullet and accepted a full-time position. I ‘powered through’ my first couple of months of my teaching career, to only end up in a hospital bed and having to take a sick leave anyway…not even four months in.
Yup, I felt like a failure but it was also an eye opener of how fast your health can be taken away and how precious life really is. It may have been a hard way to learn those lessons but it has shifted my mindset. I’m going to let ya’ll know how I came to the realization that I needed to change things in my life to have a healthier work-life balance to ensure my health was at a good place.
After my first hospitalization incident in 2015 (after accepting that full-time job I was telling you about above), my GI team insisted that I reduce my work hours to part-time. It was a really difficult decision to make but I think having a supportive work family helped me in that process. I made the decision to let go of one teaching positions. I decided to stick with teaching Kindergarten as it was a part-time position anyway.
This may not be ideal financially or wasn’t part of ‘the plan’ that I had envisioned but this allows me to be able to focus on my career and on my health equally. I also have paid sick days every month so you bet I take those days when I need them, even if I call it a mental health day. This allows me to have a healthy work-life balance. I only need to work mornings during the work week. My job also allows me to pick up afternoon substitute teaching jobs if I’m feeling well and if my health allows me. This way I am in control in how much I put on my plate.
I definitely like to take advantage of my good days because I love being in the classroom whenever I can. However, this wasn’t always the case. Before having my ostomy, teaching and being engaged with my students was nearly possible because I was constantly trying not to soil my pants. Teaching was hard for me then, where I started questioning if I could even continue in my teaching career. On the other hand, since having my ostomy surgery, almost two years ago now. (Wow!) Teaching has been so much easier and enjoyable for me. I’m not worrying about having an accident and I can fully focus on teaching my students. I have the energy to plan and try new exciting lessons.
I think it’s also helped that I’ve decided to be transparent about my Crohn’s Disease and my ostomy with my admin team and some close colleagues of mine. I think it’s good for them to know in case I have some sort of leak and need support, or if you become ill and need a sick leave. I think honesty goes a long way. When I’m at work, I don’t really need to empty my bag while I’m teaching in the morning. It’s only about a three hour stretch so I really don’t have to worry about going to the bathroom. That right there is a huge stress and anxiety reliever!!! But if I ever need to rush to the bathroom to empty my bag or needed to do a bag change due to a leak, I have colleagues that can step in while I rush to the bathroom (which just happens to be next to my classroom- grateful!!!).
Here’s some tips that I put together that I’ve learned over the last couple years that helped me as I start my career and are just useful for anyone living with a chronic illness.
6 Tips for Working With an Ostomy
Keep your work at work. I know this is easier said than done (especially for teachers). Most of the time I leave my work at work, unless is something like progress reports that I need to do. Work is important but so is your personal life.
It’s okay to say no! I’ve always been that person that feels guilty about canceling plans or simply just declining plans when they arise. However, you need to make sure that you keep your cup full.
Listen to your body. Simple as that, you know your body best. Make it a priority. Only you will know what your body needs. Some days you may need to take things slower, rest your body and just survive and other days you will be more productive and feel like you can conquer everything.
Go to bed early. I don’t know about you but I love going to bed early. Sleep is so important, especially if you have IBD and/or any chronic illness. I know for me, the more sleep I have the more spoons I tend to have the next day to do the things I love. So yes, you can call me a grandma because I’m usually in bed by 9 PM…and maybe even earlier in the winter time.
Make sure to do things for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Do things that make you happy. Maybe that’s going for a walk, going for a coffee with a friend, taking a bubble bath, getting a manicure or your hair done. Those things are important to make sure that you don’t forget to take care of yourself too. You do you, boo!
Ask for help/lean on others. Asking for help doesn’t make you a weak person. There, I said it!!!! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your loved ones and colleagues are most likely wanting to know how they can help. I leaned on my colleagues and grade partner for help when I was in a flare and/or on a sick leave. She legit picked up my slack and I’m so beyond grateful. Keep those type of people in your corner. You need them.
I hope ya’ll found this to be useful and can start applying some tips in your life to ensure a healthy work-life balance. I wish someone would have shared their insights with me when I first entered my career and the reality of adulthood while also juggling their medical needs and managing their chronic illness. Nobody ever really talks about how hard that adjustment can be and I’m here for anyone who needs that type of support in their life. Remember taking care of yourself and putting yourself first isn’t selfish…also don’t compare your journey to others. You are right where you need to be. Our most difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. I truly believe that.