Ellyn found herself in the emergency or operating room every few weeks for years – enduring 22 abdominal surgeries and losing control over the life she knew. But instead of shying away from the medical intervention, she elected to have surgery number 23, insisting upon an ileostomy. That was 8 years ago, and she hasn’t turned back.

It’s hard to believe that a stoma can actually build confidence, but in many cases it truly does. Ellyn is the perfect example. She simply loves to give back to the community, sharing advice, tips, and encouragement to new ostomates everywhere. “The stoma community has become as much a part of me as my own beautiful family.”

She’s the president of a thriving Support Group and has started three others. She’s worked with her local hospital to develop an outpatient Stoma Center, and Ellyn was even named the Mighty Advocate of the Year in 2019 by the UOAA.

Although in her 70s, it seems that Ellyn is just getting started. She’s authored a book called So Much More Than My Ostomy: Loving My Perfectly Imperfect Body! and she writes a weekly blog, MoreThanMyOstomy.com.

Ellyn says “My life is extremely full! A wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law, my family has held my hand while I climbed the mountain out of what was, at times, an abyss. My stoma reflects my determination to survive. My stoma truly is my lifesaver”, but to those she impacts, Ellyn is the one saving and enriching lives.

Products used: ESENTA™ Adhesive Remover and Skin Barriers.