Staying Positive in the Face of Adversity
Positivity. It’s something we all strive for in our daily lives but staying positive in the face of adversity can be much more...
top of page
Kristen
Nov 11, 20184 min read
Life Update: 3 Months Post-Op
It has been a little over 3 months since I underwent 2 additional surgeries for abscesses in my pelvic area due to complications from my...
103 views0 comments
Kristen
Oct 24, 20183 min read
Flying with an Ostomy
One of my biggest fears before my trip to California was flying with my ostomy. Not only had I not been on a plane since I was a baby,...
91 views0 comments
Kristen
Oct 20, 20185 min read
My Next Grand Adventure
On Wednesday, October 3rd, I began my next big adventure 2,400 miles from home. If you have been following along with my journey, you...
146 views0 comments
Kristen
Sep 21, 20184 min read
Dehydration: The Hidden Culprit
Several days ago, I set up and stepped out of bed, only to watch the room around me go black and spin momentarily. I steadied myself on...
97 views0 comments
Kristen
Sep 4, 20184 min read
It's All Part of the Journey
Wednesday, a little over 2 weeks after my 5th and 6th surgeries, I sat in the sterile white examination room within the Johns Hopkins...
158 views0 comments
Kristen
Aug 27, 20185 min read
What's in My Emergency Ostomy Kit
Life with an ostomy is many things, including unexpected. As you can probably imagine (or understand if you are an ostomate), having an...
121 views0 comments
Kristen
Aug 18, 20186 min read
Back to Johns Hopkins: Surgeries 5 and 6
Having to write this update breaks my heart. On Friday, August 10th, I sat in the pre-op waiting area at The Johns Hopkins Hospital...
342 views0 comments
Kristen
Aug 7, 20185 min read
Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight | Kristen's Chronicles
Tuesday, July 31st: I walked back to my car after work, carefully acknowledging each step on the concrete. When I reached my car I tossed...
215 views0 comments
Kristen
Jul 29, 20184 min read
Battling Dehydration with One Less Major Organ
Summer is one of my favorite seasons. Sunshine, pool days, ice cream trips- it is truly a season of adventure. But summer also brings the...
61 views0 comments
Kristen
Jul 15, 20183 min read
Review: Coloplast Sensura Mio 1-Piece
If you know me, you know that I am a creature of habit. I love organization, routines, and sticking with what I know works. But for some...
88 views0 comments
Kristen
Jun 30, 20185 min read
Answering Your Most-Asked Ostomy Questions
I receive many messages a week with questions related to living with an ostomy from food to lifestyle and everything inbetween, so I...
209 views0 comments
Kristen
Jun 22, 20185 min read
Exciting New Beginnings | Kristen's Chronicles
I have always heard that life will present you with jobs, relationships, and opportunities when the time is right. But sometimes, the...
223 views0 comments
Kristen
May 11, 20183 min read
Against All Odds | Kristen's Chronicles
Almost 2 years ago, I laid in a hospital bed facing major surgery to remove my diseased colon. I was only 72 pounds and could no longer...
208 views0 comments
Kristen
Apr 22, 20185 min read
5 Tips for Making Doctor's Appointments Less Stressful
Let's face it: doctor's appointments can be extremely stressful at times. You have a short amount of time to speed-paint a complete image...
128 views0 comments
Kristen
Apr 7, 20186 min read
My Favorite Ostomy Products for Sensitive Skin
I have sensitive skin. Wait, scratch that. I have really sensitive skin. My skin is so sensitive that bandaids superglue themselves to my...
1,016 views0 comments
Kristen
Mar 30, 20185 min read
Finding Balance: 6 Months Post-Op | Kristen's Chronicles
Ying and Yang. Hot and cold. Sweet and spicy. Life is about balance and without balance, things can become very.. well, unbalanced....
396 views0 comments
Kristen
Mar 6, 20184 min read
Back to Johns Hopkins | Kristen's Chronicles
Exactly a year ago, we were on our way to Johns Hopkins Hospital for my pre-op evaluation before my second surgery. While a lot (a LOT)...
261 views0 comments
Kristen
Mar 3, 20185 min read
I Did Not Choose Surgery; Surgery Chose Me | Kristen's Chronicles
It is August 22, 2016. Cramped into a tiny room with barely enough room for a bed, my parents sit on the side of my bed while I lay,...
616 views0 comments
Kristen
Feb 23, 20184 min read
"I'll Be Happy When.." | Kristen's Chronicles
Full-time student, full-time chronic illness warrior. As I approach 5 months post-operative, I continue to be amazed by the way in which...
143 views0 comments
bottom of page