Surgery in the Time of COVID-19
^That photo above shows me when I was at my strongest last fall before things started to go downhill. *** There will be quite a few stoma/incision/wound/poop photos*** When Tyler…
Mongolia Adventure: Part 2
For starters, if you haven’t read about the first part of Jeanine and mine's Mongolia adventure last year, you should read Part 1 first. After our bike packing trip didn’t…
Medical Mysteries (and bowel obstructions)
Did you know that paper is made by pressing together moist fibres of cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets? And that the cellulose content of cotton fiber…
Little Su 50k: Classic Ski Style
It’s been two weeks since Tyler and I finished the Little Su 50k race. For those who don’t know, the Little Su 50k is an Alaska Winter wilderness race. You…
Sometimes Lying Down on the Frozen River is the Only Option
I don’t know if anyone else with an ostomy experiences this phenomena, or if it is just me, but when I lie on my back, my stoma is better able…
Hatcher Pass Winter Prep
^In the above photo, Tyler is excited that we're not stuck in a storm on a glacier, and we can ski back to the car if we want. Snow is…
Winter is Here: Late Season Packrafting in the Chugach
I wanted to go skiing this weekend, but had some reservations because of new snowfall. Luckily, I have all sorts of friends who are up to epic activities no matter…
Mongolia Adventure: Part 1
Yesterday was National Ostomy Awareness Day. It was also 5 years since my last abdominal surgery! In celebration of yesterday, I decided to write about a stunning trip I took…
Packrafting the Kenai River: A Lesson on Ostomy Bag Sizes
The Adventure: Fall is here in Alaska, and that means more rain, dead salmon, and smoldering wildfires. While those are all true statements, it also means colorful leaves, snow in…
Navigating Water Sports with an Ostomy
(perspective of someone who lives in Alaska and goes to a warm environment one time a year) PC: JP McDonough I encountered a few instances at work today where I…