Famous People with Ostomies

Laura Cox, LPC
Ostomy Lifestyle Specialist | Shield HealthCare
03/29/16  1:33 PM PST
Famous People with Ostomies

If you have an ostomy, you’re in good company! Here are some famous people you may be surprised have an ostomy:

*Above image from Dartmouth-Hitchcock YouTube video about Rolf Benirschke.

Al Geiberger

Famous People with Ostomies

Al Geiberger is a former professional golfer who won 11 tournaments on the PGA tour, one of them being the 1966 PGA Championship. In 1980, Al had his colon removed due to his Inflammatory Bowel Disease, incurring an ileostomy.
*Image of Al Geiberger from The Commercial Appeal.

Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower

Famous People with Ostomies

Dwight David Eisenhower was the Texas-born 34th president of the United States of America. He was a five-star general who led the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. He was also known for easing cold war tensions, launching the Space Race and creating the federal Interstate Highway System. While many people were aware of his health issues, not many people knew that “Ike” also had an ostomy.

In May 1956 – halfway through his eight year presidency – Eisenhower was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a disease that causes inflammation along the small and large intestines. In June 1956, his doctor performed a permanent ileotransverse colostomy to remove a bowel obstruction. Five days after surgery, he resumed conducting official business.

Jerry Kramer

Famous People with Ostomies

Jerry Kramer is a former American football player. He is best remembered for his 11 year career as an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers. In 1964, six years into his career, Jerry underwent nine intestinal surgeries, including formation of a colostomy. He fought for his position on the team and went on to play for another five years.
*Image of Jerry Kramer from Packers Insider.

Marvin Bush

Marvin Bush is the youngest son of George H. W. Bush. In 1985, Marvin was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and dealt with the disease until 1986 when he was given an ostomy after life-saving surgery. Marvin tries to keep a low-profile, but uses his father’s name to benefit the National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Famous People with Ostomies

Napoleon Bonaparte was a military conqueror, world leader, and an ostomate. Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815, Napoleon is often pictured with his right hand in his shirt, a method he is rumored to have developed to conceal his goat bladder ostomy bag.

Rolf Benirschke

Rolf Benirschke is a former NFL placekicker. Shortly after joining the San Diego Chargers, Rolf’s battle with Ulcerative Colitis took a turn for the worse and the doctors ultimately removed his colon. Waking up with two ostomies, Rolf went on to adjust to life as an ostomate and continued to kick for the Chargers for eight years.

Thomas P. O’Neill Junior (Tip O’Neill)

Tip O’Neill was an American politician, Ambassador to Ireland, and the second longest-serving Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in U.S. history. Tip held a seat in the House Rules Committee then rose to the role of Speaker of the House in 1977 until his retirement in 1987. In retirement, Tip developed colon cancer and eventually underwent a ostomy surgery. This motivated him to make several public service announcements with athletes and stars to promote awareness of colon cancer.

Babe Zaharias

Babe was an extremely athletic woman. In 1932 she won two Olympic Gold Medals and one Olympic Silver Medal for Track and Field. She played basketball, but was always known for Track and Field. She began playing golf in 1935. Although she started the sport much later in life than others, she was successful. She played in 3 PGA tours.

While still playing golf, Babe was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1953. She underwent colostomy surgery, and made a comeback in 1954, winning the Vane Trophy. Her colon cancer recurred in 1955 and Babe passed away the next year at 45 years of age. She has since been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Women’s Golf and was named “10th Greatest North American Athlete of the 20th Century” by ESPN.

Loretta Young

Loretta Young was an American actress who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1948 for her role in The Farmer’s Daughter. She had her own show, The Loretta Young Show from 1953 – 1961, for which she received three Emmy Awards. In 1986 she won a Golden Globe for “Christmas Eve.” It is confirmed she had an ostomy, although it is not documented when she had her ostomy surgery.

Letitia Baldrige

Famous People with Ostomies

Letitia was Jacqueline Kennedy’s social secretary and head of staff in the White House. She was also an American etiquette expert and public relations executive.

She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1978 and had ostomy surgery. After recovering, she continued to be President of Letitia Baldrige Enterprises in New York, then went on to open Baldrige & Lewris in Washington DC, which is company that offered coaching in all things proper, portraying a good image, and manners.  She passed away in 2012 at the age of 86.
*Image of Baldrige’s book, In the Kennedy Style, from Amazon.

Ann Sothern

Famous People with Ostomies

Ann Sothern was a famous actress for six decades. Over her career she was in 64 movies and more than 175 TV episodes, including guest appearances with Lucille Ball on the Lucy Show. She was well known for her “Maisie” character. Ann suffered an injury while working on a stage production when a prop tree fell on her and fractured her spine and left her with nerve damage. She also contracted Hepatitis from an impure shot. Many years of treatment and surgeries followed these two accidents. It is confirmed she had an ostomy, although it is not documented when or why she had her ostomy surgery.

Nancy LaMott

Image result for nancy lamott

Nancy was a cabaret singer in New York in the 1990s. She preformed at the White House twice during the Clinton administration. Nancy was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was 17 and passed away in 1995 at age 43 from uterine cancer.
*Image of Nancy LaMott from The Cultural Critic.

For more information, see related ostomy support and inspirational articles and resources here:

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86 comments

  1. You do not have to be a famous person, to know that if you have an ostomy you are a lucky person to be alive! A Ostomy is like your heartbeat, your lung , your lifeline just on the outside of your body! I think of how blessed I am everytime I see or roll over and touch my husbands bag!

  2. Great article, Laura. So nice to see this list of ostomates — but where are the women? Surely some well-known women have also had ostomies? I’m curious to know who they are/were, too. Maybe you could do a followup post on the subject? Thanks!

  3. I have often heard that Ann Sothern (movie star) was an ostomate. She often wore very full skirts, so I assume that was her reason (to hide).

    1. Oh! I’ll have to do research on that! We do want to do a part 2 with women with ostomies, I just couldn’t find any good sources this first time around! Thanks for the heads up!

  4. Are they all colostomies? Aren’t there people with other types of ostomies and I agree about not seeing women! Young women need to know about how full their lives can be! Love the article and new information I hadn’t heard. Thanks!

    1. We couldn’t find any references of famous women with ostomies this first time around, but we’ll try to do some extra digging and do a part 2 with famous women! Luckily, there are a lot of women advocates in the ostomy community (they’re just not famous) who do a lovely job teaching men and women alike that living with an ostomy can be a beautiful thing!

  5. Who knew?! Bonaparte had one?! That’s a new one for me! In fact, I didn’t know any of these people had them! A real eye opener! But, there weren’t any women, which did surprise me, a bit.

    1. We want to do a part two discussing famous women with ostomies, since I couldn’t find any this time around. There just didn’t seem to be as much information on women! Once we find a few, we’ll post a second!

  6. I’d like to see the source for the Napoleon Bonaparte reference. I can’t find any original source, just this inforation repeated. Hard to believe that they could do ostomy surgery back then and not kill the patient.

    1. I had to do some digging, but I found that the earliest bowel surgery (that usually did lead to immediate death) took place in the 13th century.Article found on pubmed – http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1445-2197.1989.tb01468.x/epdf?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED_NO_CUSTOMER

      On science daily they have found the probable cause of death of Napoleon Bonaparte was, in fact, stomach cancer: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070116131630.htm

  7. I had an ileostomy from being in an accident a semi broadsided my SUV and an immediate ileostomy saved my life. But I had skin issues and found the BCIR you can learn more about it at bcir.com. My external stoma was removed and two inches of my small intestine was used to create an internal pouch. I empty with a 30 french cath tube made for bcir patients. No more worries of leaks and skin issues. Research it I have my complete life back now. I just wear an Ampatch looks like a bandaid over the opening. I love it.

    1. That’s fantastic to hear you love your BCIR! I’ve heard a lot of good things about them! I have a j-pouch that’s been formed, but never connected. I’ve always thought if the j-pouch doesn’t work, I’m glad BCIR is an option! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

  8. I think this subject is easier for the men. My brother talked about it openly dealt with it as if it was no big issue. We women tend to be more private, ashamed perhaps? When & how does one talk about it to others?

    1. I think it depends on a person’s personality. Some men and women have a difficult time sharing, some don’t! Here’s an article and a video I did about how I like to tell people about my ostomy!
      Blog: http://www.shieldhealthcare.com/community/ostomylife/2014/07/27/how-to-tell-someone-you-have-an-ostomy/
      Video: http://www.shieldhealthcare.com/community/videos/2014/07/26/how-to-tell-someone-you-have-an-ostomy-video/

      I hope that helps answer your question! 🙂 Hope you’re happy and healthy!

  9. I’ve had my ostomy 1.5yrs now due to colon inertia. I decided before surgery I wasn’t going to hide my bag or allow anyone to make feel ashamed of it. I also don’t hide my implanted defibrillator I’ve had for 7yrs now. I answer curious and concerned questions. When it comes to insulting looks and questions I give the same in return. My bag and scars are in plain view for all to see. For me the oddest times are comments from facing the wrong way in a public bathroom stall. I hold my head high and go about my business. I found men will give a confused look or quickly look away when they realise I saw them. Kids speak their mind and I answer on their level if the parent doesn’t run away embarrassed. Women over 60 are the ones that give me, the I should be ashamed and hide it speech. The women in the middle either give me a pity look, ask questions, or walk away shaking their head. My response is always if you knew what I went through before you would understand why I’m greatful now. That I would make the same choice again in a heart beat. I think ostomy needs to stop being a scary secret.
    I tell people my ostomy is no different than my hand or foot. It’s part of me and I’m not any less of who I was before. That they don’t hide their face why should I hide my bag.

  10. I have had an ileostomy since I was 15. I am now 71. I’ve always wondered if I am the oldest living with an ileostomy!

  11. Barbara Barrie and Mary Ann mobley are just two actresses with ostomies Barbara has written a book about her experience.

  12. I had my surgery in 1996 and have lived with my ileostomy for over 20 years. I am a world traveler and have lived my life fully. One caveat. When traveling overseas always take double the number of appliances you think you need. I got caught in Mexico once with a batch of faulty wafers and nearly had to return home early. Luckily found a doctor who was able to get supplies but at enormous price. Oh yes I am a woman and up until my husband’s death four years ago, had the most amazingly supportive partner.

    1. Great tip! Someone once told me to grab pouches from different boxes to bring when traveling so if you got a faulty batch you only have 1 of the bad batch with you! I thought that was such a helpful tip! I am sorry for your loss, but what an amazing thing to have a wonderfully supportive partner!

  13. My co-worker had a calendar with people modeling and showing their ostomy. It was beautiful to see. Wonder if selling a calendar with these famous men (and women) along with their stories as youve done her, with sime facts, could generate awareness?

  14. Laura, I loved this article and eagerly await Part Two. I have both colostomy and urostomy bags – a real Bag Lady – and am thriving after a year of adjustment that turned into embracement. I couldn’t have done it without Shield workers and products.

    1. I am so happy to hear that you’ve embraced your new lifestyle and that Shield has helped you live a life you love! 🙂 Thank you for sharing! We love to heard we’re helping people’s lives be a little easier!

  15. Great to know of some famous folks who have ostomies. Again I agree no women talked about or anything about Urostomy or Ileal conduit, I have been an ostomate for 45 years and I’m sure there are more people out there who would like to hear comments and stories about other kinds of ostomies.
    Thanks for letting us know of some greats who have lived through these surgeries and gone on to continue living their dreams.

    1. I will look for people with urostomy/ileal conduits as well. I had a difficult time finding women or people with ileostomy/urostomies, but part 2 will definitely have more research put in! 🙂

  16. Do all the posters have permanent ostomy’s? I have an option to have mine reversed, but it will take 2 surgeries. A section of my colon has narrowed and will have to be removed. Once that is healed, they can reverse the original surgery and eliminate the bag. The doctor said he will also have to remove a portion of my rectum. I am not sure what I want to do at this point. It would be nice to have the bag removed, but not at the cost of having issues with control. I also have problems with the skin around the stoma getting very red and sore. I have to watch what I eat. Acids seem to bother it a lot. Anyone else have these problems?

    1. I have a loop ileostomy, which is reversible. I have never had it reversed because I have some other post surgical issues I want to take care of first. It’s a hard decision and it is a personal one. I would suggest looking up blogs about the j-pouch and read what people’s quality of life is like with it. I’ve heard both ends of the spectrum – people who live extremely easily with the j-pouch and people who live not so easily with it. In the end, it’s a decision you have to make for yourself with the information you have!

      I would seek out a WOCN (Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse) for your skin around your stoma. He or she should be able to help you with that!

  17. I’m 60 yes old, had loop ostomy because of cancer, I am single and feel inadequate to try to meet someone, I feel like they might be repulsed at it, I’m very lonely but don’t know how to approach or explain to someone who doesn’t know ,their a blessing although I would prefer not to have one!

    1. Hi Belinda, I completely understand where you are coming from, but you are absolutely not inadequate. Here’s a video I did on this topic if you’re interested. http://www.shieldhealthcare.com/community/videos/2014/07/26/how-to-tell-someone-you-have-an-ostomy-video/ My best piece of advise would be to try to paint the ostomy in a positive light when telling someone about it (like saying it saved your life). You don’t have to tell someone on the first or second or third date! Wait until you’re comfortable. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment back or email me!
      I hope you’re feeling happy and healthy! – Laura

  18. All great and brave men. A challenge for any person, harder for a man to conceal. If he’s confident and has a desire to live, he is his own hero within and without.

  19. Babe Zaharias, famous woman golfer, and Loretta Young, actress, had ostomies, I believe. Old timers might remember them. I’m 72, and have had an ileostomy for 42 years, and it hasn’t stopped me from working, traveling all over the world, camping, performing with my Sweet Adelines chorus, swimming, or anything else I’ve wanted to do! It gave me back my life after nine years of ulcerative colitis. I also have a very supportive spouse and was active for many years in our local ostomy support group. Life is good.

    1. Thank you for the insight! I will definitely put those on the list for part two! I am so happy to hear what a full life you have lived with your ostomy! As someone who has only had my ostomy for 5 years, it’s so comforting to hear people who have lived with it for longer and have continued to have good health and a full life! I appreciate you sharing!

  20. I have had an iliostomy for 51 years due to ulcerative colitis. I had inside pouch for 12 years and had removed in 2002. I am now back to outside appliance. I had too many problems with inside pouch. It,s a ‘ll long story. I have developed more adhesions. I am 66 years old and it,s been a long journey ; but I have lead a pretty normal and busy life.

  21. On 10-4 I will be 79 years old. My colostomy surgery was about 15 years ago. If professional wrestling was still popular, I could be in that sport and be a champ. GOD can do a lot. LOVE TO EVERY ONE.

    Allen Lieberoff

    1. I LOVE seeing posts like this! I think it’s so important for those of us who are doing so well to share our experiences! Thank you for sharing Allen! Happy early birthday!

  22. Read all questions but not mine I am exhausted from getting up 3 or 4 times a night to empty my bag I don’t like having anything I it I need sleep How do get to sleep thru the night or hours at a time without having to empty. I do eat dinner early . Does anyone have this problem. Please help

  23. I’ve recently started dating a man with a colostomy bag. I have assured him that I can deal with it, but need more information so I can help him with supplies and other issues.

    1. Hi Berta. Thanks for commenting, and we’re so glad you’re reaching out as a way to help the man you’re dating and understand more about him. I think you will find many articles in the OstomyLife community helpful, but here are a few in particular: Intimacy with an Ostomy, in this article, you can learn more about the supplies and products someone with an ostomy may need, and you may find this article helpful to learn about peristomal skin issues that many come up. We would also recommend watching this recorded webinar that features four people with ostomies talking about their various experiences to help get an idea of the challenges and rewards that someone with an ostomy may encounter! Best of luck! -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  24. To the first woman who said that about her husband….WOW! I’ve had 2 kidney transplants and 6 yrs ago ended up with a colostomy. I hope your husband appreciates you. So many people say looks don’t matter. But when it comes down to it let’s be real (with most people).

  25. I’m a 58 year old female who has had an ileostomy for about a month. My emotions have been on a roller coaster (right now I’m on a very big downhill) does it ever stop?

    1. Hi Teri. Thank you for your honest comment. Recovery can be very hard, on both the body and the mind. We can’t tell you that the roller coaster will come to a stop, but with time and work it is possible to help the ride mellow out. Laura has a video with both physical and emotional tips for recovery from ostomy surgery, and one of my favorites is this one: “Write a list of 5 things that are better today than yesterday – for example, about a week after being discharged from the hospital I made it all the way up the stairs without stopping for the first time. I put this on my list and was so happy and proud! Treasure accomplishments, no matter how little they seem!” The process may take longer than you think it will, or hope it will, so we recommend being patient with yourself. Speaking of which, we’re sorry your husband isn’t being as supportive as you’d hoped, but we would recommend being patient with him as well. It is a lot to adjust to. Your husband obviously knows you have an ostomy, but you still might find some of the language that Laura uses in this video helpful, the next time you talk about your stoma. With education and time, he will hopefully come to appreciate your stoma, especially once you are further recovered and can increase your activity. I would recommend that you read this article for some positivity about life with a stoma and, whenever you feel your husband may be ready for it, ask him to read it as well. Best of luck, Teri, and feel free to comment or ask Laura a question anytime. -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  26. I would like to add the singer Nancy LaMott to the list. I had the pleasure of meeting her shortly after her ostomy surgery in the early 1990’s and I didn’t know who she was at the time but later found out that she was considered one of the best cabaret singers in New York. Nancy passed away in 1995 at age 43 from cancer and I never got to hear her sing live, only on her recordings. Here’s a short video tribute I made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD-WOjfKJfw

  27. This is the best website on ostomies that I have come across. Love reading each story and your comments. I am a 74 year old male with a urostomy for 8 years.

  28. I have had my ostomy since 2012. It is my second one, the first one saved my life and was reversed. This one was created to help fix a rectal/vaginal fistula, which unfortunately has not cooperated in the repairing. It looks as though it will be with me for the remainder of my life. So life goes. It is not the reason for this post, the secret nature of ostomies is. Why over the years has there been no forward movement in thinking about them. It is still the dark ages for ostomies and the was people think about them. Could it be because it deals with a bodily function? More likely than not. It seems that ostomates are at the same place in treatment as breast cancer patients were some 40 plus years ago, we need to deal with that. It needs to be taken out of the darkness and brought into the light. If you go into a hospital and request a support group for ostomies or even how to begin a group or who to talk with to start, no one even knows who they should send you to talk to. The information desk is at a loss as to who you should speak with, at least here in San Diego they are completely lost. My friend and I are beginning a group to end this darkness, “Living the Ostomy Life” supported by Sydney Breeze Devotionals. In our early stages here looking to get up and running to give ostomates that look at what life is like with an ostomy. It is not over and can be full and even better than before. My partner has had her ostomy for 58 years, growing up, school, married, family, all of life. We both want to share our experiences and help others with not only the nuts and bolts of ostomy life, but the stuff medical staff can not tell you living with one is like. So if anyone has information they would like to share, help to give, direction and/or aid, your input is greatly appreciated. Here’s to all of you, Living the Ostomy Life, Sydney Breeze.

  29. Have had an illiostomy since 1961 — now 74 — I am on good health, looking forward to many more years. My early adult life ( 20- 35 ) was filled with an active social and intimate social life — also very successful career. Married at 40 ( second time ). Appliances have changed/advanced to make life easier! Do Not allow ostomy to restrict your personal or professional goals!

  30. Can anyone please share any pros or cons regarding the need for becoming part of a support group. Did anyone find it necessary and/or helpful? I’m going in for a permanent illiostomy on November 2, 2017… I’m scared to death of the “unknown” and how to come to terms with my quality of life after the surgery!

    Thank you in advance :))

    1. Hi Michael. Thank you for your comment. We can’t say we would recommend getting ostomy surgery has a way to solve fecal incontinence. That is something you would have to discuss with your doctor. We can point you to this survey summary from the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, that talks about patients’ views of a colostomy for fecal incontinence, to give you some food for thought. Best of luck! -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  31. I have had my ostomy for 46 years. Since birth. I have been very active all my life,more than most people. I have been landscaping most of my life. No setbacks at all .but i have always felt like i have been hiding my issues from everyone. I have learned to hide my ostomy very well.

  32. I have had my colostomy for a few years now. With the experience I can say that the over the counter anti diarreal is cheaper than Immodeum. Next and again in my own experience I would add that you have to watch your diet. Anything that has a high sugar content or chocolate has to be limited. Vegetables as well must be on a limited basis. Hope this helps

  33. I am 26, had my temporary ileostomy around four months ago. I’d suffered from ulcerative colitis for a few months before that, and it got so bad that I didn’t respond to treatment (even intensive steroids) and the doctors basically said I was going home either with a bag, or in a box! It can be daunting at first, and you will experience depression after having a stoma, I can guarantee that. But it does get better. There are ups and downs, but overall, it gets better. I’m now back in work and am almost back to a totally normal life. My relationship with my girlfriend has actually got better, remarkably (she was so scared of losing me, so she sees my bag as my saviour). The only thing I’m yet to return to is intensive exercise, specifically weight lifting, which I really enjoyed before I got sick. I’ve got to slowly build up my strength at home again before I tackle any heavy weights in the gym! Looking forward, I’ll soon be given the choice by the surgeon of having a permanent stoma, or a reversal and a J pouch. I’m actually thinking a permanent stoma at the moment, but I guess I could still change my mind yet.

  34. I have only had my Ileostomy since Jan 21 2018. I will find out on Jan. 10th if it will be permanent. Praying. I had a very bad case of diverticulitis. My surgeon said it was the worst case he had ever seen. The pain almost killed me. My surgeon said he was amazed I survied. Had a lot going on in there. My husband has been amazing. He changes my bag for me and never complains. He is so supportive. He is the best! Saying prayers for good news on the 10th. Oh by the way we are both a young 73.

  35. I’ve had an ileostomy for 13 months. My colon and rectum were removed. My kidneys,are going bad because I can’t absorb liquids any longer. I empty my bag between 12 to 14 times per day. I have tried everything to slow down the emotying into my bag. Imodium, cocunut, chocolate milk, marshmellows, etc. Any syggestions?

    1. Hi Gail. Thank you for your comment. Of course we would first recommend speaking to your doctor and/or WOC Nurse. Beyond that, we forwarded your question to our Ostomy Product Manager, but he couldn’t think of any suggestions beyond what you wrote that you have tried. So we decided to open up your question (anonymously) to our Facebook community, and there are quite a few responses. We hope you find at least one of them helpful. Best of luck. -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  36. Each of you is my hero. I’m in remission from metastatic ovarian cancer. I had breast cancer but it resulted in a very small lumpectomy. During my three month visits, my doctor urges me to
    have a bilateral mastectomy. I swear to him each and every time that it’ll never happen. Maybe it will. Hopefully, I’ll be blessed with your resilience!

  37. Gail H, if you haven’t tried it yet a tablespoon of Metamucil stirred in a glass of water twice a day will slow everything down and also prevent constipation and drink plenty ov liquid throughout the day

  38. I don’t consider myself famous however I am a retired Army Veteran known for counventing a vaccine for burn patients as an ostomate before retiring. I also am Founder of the first non profit to save abandoned babies having been on 13 National Talk shows including Oprah and Geraldo Rivera twice and Inside Edition I received The Jefferson county Award founded by Jackie Kennedy dubbed The Americas Nobel Prize in 1998. Also worked with actress Jennifer ONeill as a national speaker. I was invited to the United Nations and filmed many productions. My ostomy did not keep me back from volunteering and helping others. I was given credit through my advocacy efforts for helping in the passing of Baby Moses Law in USA today and other papers.I had to step down in 2006 as I was hospitalized for six years and could not eat or drink. But now I am eating and want to write my book.

  39. Shocking that Napoleon Bonaparte had a colostomy.
    I have a colostomy and I want it reversed but they took out my colon and my rectum 100%. For horrible ulcerative colitis which made me incontinent 24 hours a day. Anyhow I am determined to have it reversed.

  40. What is the cause of a hernia around my colostomy, had colorectal cancer in 2012, i will be 79 on May 12th 2020. My name is Elizabeth.

  41. I had ulcerative colitis for 5 years before I had my ileostomy. I had surgery Nov.22, 1963, the day President John Kennedy was assassinated . I had my 22nd birthday on Nov.25, 1963. I am almost 79 years of age, live alone, help others, mowed my 1 acre lawn today. Actually had the privilege of talking to Marvin Bush shortly after his surgery. Ostomy appliances have really improved since 1963. Marvin told me about the brand he used at the time. I have been using them since that time. I believe Marvin was fortunate enough to have his reversed. I have lost contact with him. It has been many years since I talked to him. GOD BLESS

  42. wonder what was with Napoleon Bonaparte…..brief check shows ostomies and ostomy bags weren’t invented until 1911; I think Napoleon died before that. maybe he just hurt there or something was wrong with his right fingers or hand

  43. In response to the un-answered “Diana’s” August 27, 2016 please-help-request, wherein she stated she was “exhausted from getting up 3 or 4 times a night to empty my bag”:

    I had a colon/prostate colostomy five years ago. Outside of occasional leaking pouch seal issues (because I forget to change my bag), I can sleep all knight without getting up.

    I attach my colostomy pouch to a long tube urine bag, that I have placed into a 2 gallon plastic bucket, with handle. I dump the bag out in the morning. I hope this helps

  44. I have had one of the first urostomy called a colon conduit for urine in 1982. I was the last class of The Women’s Army Corp before it became US Army. I co invented a vaccine for burn patients for the military and received the Army Commendation Award. And in 1991 founded the first non profit to save abandoned babies Savbaby which awareness led to the Baby Moses Law and also helped change the law for burying babies from three babies to a paupers grave to one baby I appeared on 13 national talk shows including Oprah and Geraldo Rivera twice I was nominated a win the local statewide and national Jefferson Award founded by Jackie Kennedy for founding Savbaby which is dubbed America’s Nobel Prize for public service. Also gained the support of professional football and basketball teams as well as professional boxers. Many stars also got involved.

  45. I had my colon and rectum removed @ 22yrs. old due to ulcerative colitis. My parents told me that I bled as a baby from formula and later on from milk as a toddler. It went away until I turned 21. It started with a peptic ulcer then over the year became colitis w/traces of blood. By summer of 22nd year it was full blown U.C., I weighed 100lbs, looked anorexic,periods stopped, extremely anemic. I’m 71yrs old and happy to be here with my hubby since Dec. 1973. My faith in God and stubborn streak keeps me going. I had a Koch pouch in 1974, but in 1993, I had the Barnetts procedure done. Use just a medina catheter and a 2×3″bandage. It’s wonderful!

  46. Just curious about anyone from the 90s to current that are living a full active life ?!?
    Are all the bags 12″ ?
    I admit that Not knowing when fecal incognition will happen, how long it’s going to run (like a river), how much there will be and if anyone noticed – is horrible !! I am frightened by the need for the C bag and it’s system. True the alternative is embarrassing and exhausting I feel defeated.
    Seems like a No-Brainer – right?

  47. I’m great full cause I’m still living, it’s just crazy people never seen it, or I just don’t know know anyone that ever been through the surgeries I been through to have this on my chest I suppose to have surgery in in 3 mouth suppose to have surgery to get a esophagus repair

  48. Please confirm. I heard Barbara Barrie (Barney Miller; Facts of Life) and Bea Arthur (Golden Girls, Maude, Mame, etc.) had ostomies. True?

  49. Movie and stage actress Barbara Barrie has an ostomy and wrote a book to tell about her cancer experience. She was in Private Benjamin, Breaking Away, Hercules, Barney Miller sitcom, and others. One of her books: Don’t Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures. I have an ostomy, I’m grateful that I have it, and my sweetheart loves me no matter what. Now I’m 4 1/2 years clear of cancer.

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