Ostomy: 87 Real Stories

87 stories match ostomy. 86 of them mention surgery.

Cancer Stories

Uwe, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Uwe's Patient Story

Patient Info: Uwe Dierks, Male, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Not reported; family history of colorectal cancer in mother

Metastatic Site: Lung

As of July 2023, Uwe was living after rectal cancer, lung metastasis treatment, permanent stoma placement, multiple complications, and ongoing pancreatic-insufficiency and quality-of-life challenges.

Krankheitserfahrungen.de
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Jan, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Jan's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jan Holgersson, Male, 50s | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

As of winter 2012/2013, Jan had completed radiation, surgery, and multiple chemotherapy cycles for rectal/colorectal cancer, adapted to a permanent colostomy, and reported improved life satisfaction despite work limitations.

Krankheitserfahrungen.de
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Tim, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Tim's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tim Meier, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: No genetic predisposition identified

Metastatic Site: Liver; lymph node

After repeated liver metastases, a metastatic lymph node, radiation to a remaining metastasis, and later new MRI findings, Tim was recovering from renewed chemotherapy and surgery while awaiting follow-up.

Krankheitserfahrungen.de
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Sylvia, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Sylvia's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Sylvia Herrmann, Female, Under 40

Sylvia completed surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy for early-stage colon cancer, adapted well to her stoma, and experienced major quality-of-life improvement after removal of the colon also resolved her long-standing ulcerative colitis.

Krankheitserfahrungen.de
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Holger, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Holger's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Holger Pfleger, Male, 70+ | Stage Metastatic/Advanced

By winter 2012, Holger had completed treatment for advanced rectal cancer, lived independently with a permanent stoma, and had returned to activities such as cycling, skiing, sailing, swimming, and gardening.

Krankheitserfahrungen.de
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Gwen, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Gwen's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Gwen Powell, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Biomarker testing performed; results not reported

Metastatic Site: Ovary; liver

Stage IV colon cancer with ovarian mass and liver metastasis treated with chemotherapy and surgeries including colostomy/reversal; she reported being almost 2 years NED while living with neuropathy and surveillance anxiety.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Stéphanie, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Stéphanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Stéphanie Lévesque | Stage III

Biomarkers: Biomarker testing performed; results not reported

Stage III colorectal cancer with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, ileostomy, and serious treatment complications; care was still ongoing almost 1 year after diagnosis.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Kaitlin, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Kaitlin's Patient Story

Patient Info: Kaitlin Van Saders, Female, Under 40

Rectal cancer story with lower anterior resection and emergency diverting ileostomy in August 2024; formal stage and latest disease status are not reported.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Karina, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Karina's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Karina Bandera, Female, 40s | Stage III

Recovering after treatment for Stage IIIC rectal cancer, including chemotherapy, surgery, sepsis complication, ileostomy, more chemotherapy, and ileostomy reversal; she reported doing well, but explicit NED/remission status is not stated.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeSurvivorship / Surveillance
Sydney, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Sydney Stoner: Stage IIIB to Stage IV colon cancer with liver and lung involvement

Patient Info: Sydney Stoner, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

Progressed from Stage IIIB colon cancer to Stage IV disease involving the liver and lungs; treated with surgery/ileostomy/reversal, FOLFOX/FOLFIRI, lung radiation, liver ablation/resection, capecitabine, and ongoing Lonsurf + Avastin.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeSetback / Progression
Rebecca, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Rebecca's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Rebecca Barber, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

Completed treatment for Stage IIIB colorectal cancer, including chemotherapy, surgery with ileostomy/reversal, and radiation; ongoing issues include pain, LARS, neuropathy, anxiety, and survivorship support needs, with no explicit NED status stated.

Fight Colorectal Cancer
OutcomeSurvivorship / Surveillance
Elizabeth, who was diagnosed with Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer: Elizabeth's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Elizabeth, Female

After chemotherapy, radiation, sphincter-preserving surgery and temporary ostomy reversal, Elizabeth had no evidence of disease after 5 years of careful follow-up, with good GI function and quality of life.

Memorial Sloan Kettering
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Laura, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Laura's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Laura Behnke, Female | Stage III

As of June 2026, Laura reported no trace of rectal cancer after treatment, ileostomy reversal, and port removal, while continuing to manage bowel-function changes and survivorship effects.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Catherine, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Catherine's Patient Story

Patient Info: Catherine, Female | Stage III

Catherine had a complete pathological response after chemoradiation and surgery for Stage III rectal cancer, then continued adjuvant Xeloda/oxaliplatin while waiting for post-treatment scans before accepting an NED label.

The Patient Story
OutcomeResponding Well
Maria, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Maria's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Maria, Female | Stage III

Maria’s PET scan came back clear after 7 months of chemotherapy, 7 weeks of radiation, and surgery for Stage IIIC rectal cancer, but she described herself as still under surveillance with blood tests every 6 months and not cancer-free until 5 years.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Surveillance
Justine, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Justine's Patient Story

Patient Info: Justine, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver

As of June 2026, Justine was living with Stage IV rectal cancer involving the liver after chemoradiation, major surgery, FOLFOX, and liver-directed local therapies.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Allison, who was diagnosed with Stage II Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Allison’s Stage 2C Colorectal Cancer Story

Patient Info: Allison, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

As of June 2026, Allison was sharing her Stage IIC colorectal cancer experience as a patient advocate after concurrent radiation/Xeloda, major surgery with J-pouch and temporary ileostomy, and chemotherapy.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Ken, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Ken's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ken, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver

As of May 2026, Ken was more than 3 years into Stage IV colorectal cancer. He was not cancer-free or NED, but described the disease as minimal and manageable with surveillance, maintenance chemotherapy/targeted therapy, and occasional ablation.

The Patient Story
OutcomeLiving With Cancer
Kristen, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: Kristen's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Kristen, Female | Stage III

Completed active treatment for Stage III colon cancer and entered survivorship while managing permanent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain.

The Patient Story
OutcomeSurvivorship / Completed Treatment
Nathan, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Nathan's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Nathan, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; peritoneal membrane

Declared tumor-free after aggressive treatment for Stage IV colon cancer, including colectomy, FOLFOX chemotherapy, and HIPEC, while continuing to live with treatment effects, an ileostomy, neuropathy, and scan anxiety.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
John, who was diagnosed with Stage III Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage III Colorectal Cancer: John's Survivor Story

Patient Info: John Murray, Male, 50s | Stage III

As of February 2026, John’s latest tests showed no evidence of cancer after Stage III rectal cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and laparoscopic surgery with permanent colostomy; close surveillance was planned for 2 years.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED
Cora, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Cora's Patient Story

Patient Info: Cora, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Liver; lungs

As of February 2026, Cora had recurrent Stage IV colorectal cancer with a positive ctDNA test but clear CT imaging after stopping an immunotherapy trial because of toxicity, so ongoing care and monitoring were still needed.

The Patient Story
OutcomeCare Ongoing
Scott, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal CancerColorectal Cancer

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Scott's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Scott Zeff, Male, 60s | Stage IV

As of January 2026, Scott had finished treatment for Stage IV rectal cancer, the cancer had not spread to other areas, and he was recovering with a temporary ileostomy while moving forward cancer-free.

Cleveland Clinic
OutcomeCancer-Free / NED