Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy

This week is a little different. I wanted to share a quick update on why there isn't a full podcast episode right now. Our family has been affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado, and while we are not currently under an evacuation order, we are preparing in case conditions change. Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your support. I'll be back behind the microphone as soon as...

Returning to work after bladder removal surgery is not just about physical recovery, it is a full adjustment in energy, confidence, routine, and how you move through your day. In this episode of the Nobody Told Me… series, I talk about what it was really like going back to work with a urostomy. From fatigue and stamina to practical challenges and emotional shifts, this is the side of recovery that...

Kicking off the Nobody Told Me… series with a topic most people don’t hear enough about before or after bladder removal surgery: hernias. In this episode, I share what hernias are, why they can happen after a urostomy, what to watch for, and the small everyday things that can make a difference in recovery. This is real-life conversation about healing, movement, and learning how to protect your bod...

Summer brings its own challenges when you're living with a urostomy. In this episode, I share a few of my secret weapons for staying cool…what's worked for me when it comes to swimming, summer clothing, managing sweat, dealing with pouch ballooning, and staying comfortable in the heat. From swimwear solutions to one surprisingly simple hack that made a huge difference, we're talking real-life tips...

Have you ever looked at your pouch and thought, "Well... that's not a color I was expecting today?" This week on Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy, we're talking about something every urostomate sees every day... urine. More specifically, what the color of your urine might be trying to tell you. From hydration and vitamins to medications, infections, and some surprising causes you may have...

This week on Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy, we’re talking about the gap between what doctors know medically and what patients learn by actually living with a urostomy every single day. Doctors understand surgery, anatomy, labs, and complications. But patients learn the real-life side of this journey through experience... the leaks, skin irritation, product failures, anxiety before appoi...

I just got back from flying to Houston and spending a week in Galveston, Texas with my best friend. And this trip turned into something so much bigger than travel tips. In this episode, I share what it actually looks like to fly and travel with a urostomy. From booking flights and navigating TSA, to understanding how cabin pressure can affect your pouch, and the small adjustments that make a big d...

What you eat and drink after surgery matters more than you think. Not just for healing, but for how you feel every single day. In this episode, I walk through the day-to-day side of life after surgery. Hydration, food, gas, mucus, and supporting your body in a way that works in real life. Not a list of rules, but what I have learned by living it. We talk about how hydration impacts everything from...

There is the version of surgery you are told about… and then there is the version you actually live. In this episode, I share what my recovery really looked like after bladder removal, including the complications no one prepared me for. From unexpected delays due to scar tissue, to an extended hospital stay with an NG tube, to hair loss and a UTI that nearly turned septic, this is the side of reco...

Mental health after bladder removal is something many people experience, but few fully understand until they are living it. In this episode, I share the emotional side of recovery. The anxiety, grief, body image shifts, and the quiet moments where everything feels heavier than expected. I talk about what it felt like to navigate those early days without the support I needed, and the isolation that...

Nighttime with a urostomy is its own learning curve. In this episode, we talk honestly about nighttime bags, leg bags, tubing, setup struggles, and the little things no one really explains when you first come home from surgery. From leg bags that feel like a necessary evil, to choosing between Bard and Coloplast nighttime systems, to figuring out what actually helps you sleep without constant worr...

Life after bladder removal…what does that actually look like one year later? In this episode of Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy, I share a real and honest look at my first year living with a urostomy. From the chaos of surgery day to unexpected complications, from frustrating early recovery moments to small but powerful milestones, this episode walks through the full journey, including th...

“Oops” moments happen…to all of us. In this episode of Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy Podcast, we are talking about how to turn those unexpected moments into manageable ones by building your everyday and travel urostomy toolkits. From must-have essentials to real-life tips that make a difference, this episode is all about helping you feel prepared, confident, and ready to handle whatever...

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind my book and the Plot Twist Journal, and why I created both for you. At one point, my bladder and I had a very serious conversation… and I finally said, “We’re done here.” This was not a surprise eviction. It was something I fought for, because the way I was living before…was not living. What followed was a whole new journey. One filled with unexpected...

Why would someone need their bladder removed? It is not something anyone plans for, but for many people, it becomes part of their story due to serious health challenges like bladder cancer, interstitial cystitis, neurological conditions, or other complications. In this episode of Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy, Dawn shares real-life perspective on the reasons behind bladder removal and w...

Why would someone need their bladder removed? It is not something anyone plans for, but for many people, it becomes part of their story due to serious health challenges like bladder cancer, interstitial cystitis, neurological conditions, or other complications. In this episode of Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy, Dawn shares real-life perspective on the reasons behind bladder removal and w...

The Other Side of Bladder Removal: Alex’s Neobladder Story What is life really like after bladder removal surgery? In this episode of Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy, I sit down with Alex to talk about life on the other side of surgery and his experience living with a neobladder. Alex shares his journey from diagnosis to surgery, recovery, and the process of learning how to live with a co...

Urinary tract infections can look and feel different after bladder removal surgery, and they do not always show up the way you expect. In this episode, I provide a practical overview of common symptoms in urostomy and neobladder patients, risk factors to be aware of, and the early warning signs that should prompt a call to your medical team. We discuss hydration, hygiene considerations, prevention...

Getting dressed after urostomy surgery can feel like a whole new sport. In this episode, we talk practical clothing hacks that work, from waistbands that cooperate, to layering tricks, swimwear solutions, and pajamas that let you sleep without stressing about your setup. We break down how fabric, fit, and garment structure affect pouch support, concealment, and overall comfort, using real-life exp...

This episode provides a practical, in depth look at urostomy pouch styles, including one piece vs two piece systems, adhesive barriers, convex vs flat options, drainage designs, and major brand differences. If you are selecting or reconsidering your pouching system, this guide walks you through the key decision factors and technical features that impact comfort, fit, and reliability. Learn how to...

Episode 3: Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Surgery In this episode, Dawn shares the things she wishes someone had told her before bladder removal surgery. Not the pamphlet version. The real life version. From recovery timelines and emotional surprises to stoma placement, weight restrictions, supplies, wardrobe changes, and the mental toll no one prepares you for, this episode walks through...

Neobladder vs Urostomy Choosing a urinary diversion after bladder removal can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Dawn breaks down the differences between a neobladder and a urostomy, looking at both the medical basics and the real life experience that no one fully explains before surgery. Dawn shares her own journey living with a urostomy and her husband Alex’s experience with a neobladder, offer...

In this first episode, Dawn shares how she and her husband Alex each found themselves living bladder free, one with a urostomy and one with a neobladder. It is an honest, human look at fear, relief, leaks, laughter, and the real work of learning how to live fully in a body that had to be replumbed.