A Stoma at 28: Chelsea on Finding Her Voice | This Is Me Podcast Episode 52
Women of our Time
15 views
How do you learn to put yourself first when you’ve spent years saying yes to everyone else?
Chelsea is 28, a mother to a six-year-old, a special educational needs teaching assistant and the owner of Bumble and Bag. She also lives with a stoma. After years of symptoms, a diagnosis of Crohn’s and colitis, and treatments that stopped working, Chelsea underwent surgery to remove her large intestine.
In Episode 52 of the This Is Me Podcast, she shares the physical and emotional reality of adjusting to life afterwards. With honesty and humour, Chelsea opens up about the frightening first weekend at home, mum guilt, changing friendships, misunderstanding at work and finding the confidence to stop hiding her bag. She also shares the story behind Bumble and Bag, her small business creating digital designs and transferring them onto mugs, cups, bags, clothing and more. Inspired by her own experiences, her work includes designs that celebrate people living with stomas and chronic illnesses, helping them feel represented in everyday life. At the heart of her story is a powerful realisation: looking after herself helps her look after her daughter, too. An honest conversation about invisible disability, motherhood, creativity and learning that your own needs deserve a place on the list.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Preview and introduction to Chelsea
02:38 Crohn’s, colitis and the road to diagnosis
05:56 When treatment fails and surgery becomes necessary
07:31 Finding emotional support as a young person with a stoma
10:08 Coming home after surgery and adjusting to daily life
12:45 Putting herself first, mum guilt and learning to say no
16:31 Finding friendship and support through the gym
17:52 The story behind Bumble and Bag
23:17 Could a passion become a full-time business?
28:09 Returning to work and facing misunderstanding
31:54 Speaking up and asking for a second opinion
35:22 Life after surgery and showing how her stoma bag works
38:14 Looking ahead and finding the confidence to share her story
40:40 Invisible disabilities and helping others feel less alone
44:43 The song that sums up Chelsea’s life
CONNECT WITH CHELSEA AND BUMBLE AND BAG
Discover her designs or get in touch about her products:Email: chelseawmusic@gmail.com
Instagram: @bumbleandbag](Instagram:
Facebook: Bumble and Bag](Facebook:
Discover more honest conversations, practical support and shared experiences through the Womeniverse™ membership. Explore our On-Demand section for more podcasts and event catch-ups, ready whenever you need them.
Join the Womeniverse™: www.womenofourtime.uk
A Stoma at 28: Chelsea on Finding Her Voice | This Is Me Podcast Episode 52
Women of our Time
15 views
How do you learn to put yourself first when you’ve spent years saying yes to everyone else?
Chelsea is 28, a mother to a six-year-old, a special educational needs teaching assistant and the owner of Bumble and Bag. She also lives with a stoma. After years of symptoms, a diagnosis of Crohn’s and colitis, and treatments that stopped working, Chelsea underwent surgery to remove her large intestine.
In Episode 52 of the This Is Me Podcast, she shares the physical and emotional reality of adjusting to life afterwards. With honesty and humour, Chelsea opens up about the frightening first weekend at home, mum guilt, changing friendships, misunderstanding at work and finding the confidence to stop hiding her bag. She also shares the story behind Bumble and Bag, her small business creating digital designs and transferring them onto mugs, cups, bags, clothing and more. Inspired by her own experiences, her work includes designs that celebrate people living with stomas and chronic illnesses, helping them feel represented in everyday life. At the heart of her story is a powerful realisation: looking after herself helps her look after her daughter, too. An honest conversation about invisible disability, motherhood, creativity and learning that your own needs deserve a place on the list.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Preview and introduction to Chelsea
02:38 Crohn’s, colitis and the road to diagnosis
05:56 When treatment fails and surgery becomes necessary
07:31 Finding emotional support as a young person with a stoma
10:08 Coming home after surgery and adjusting to daily life
12:45 Putting herself first, mum guilt and learning to say no
16:31 Finding friendship and support through the gym
17:52 The story behind Bumble and Bag
23:17 Could a passion become a full-time business?
28:09 Returning to work and facing misunderstanding
31:54 Speaking up and asking for a second opinion
35:22 Life after surgery and showing how her stoma bag works
38:14 Looking ahead and finding the confidence to share her story
40:40 Invisible disabilities and helping others feel less alone
44:43 The song that sums up Chelsea’s life
CONNECT WITH CHELSEA AND BUMBLE AND BAG
Discover her designs or get in touch about her products:Email: chelseawmusic@gmail.com
Instagram: @bumbleandbag](Instagram:
Facebook: Bumble and Bag](Facebook:
Discover more honest conversations, practical support and shared experiences through the Womeniverse™ membership. Explore our On-Demand section for more podcasts and event catch-ups, ready whenever you need them.
Join the Womeniverse™: www.womenofourtime.uk