CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - At times, she was not expected to survive.
Christine MacCallum, 65, of Marshfield had surgery called an ostomy in 2003 to create an opening (stoma) from an area inside her body to the outside to treat a disease of her digestive system.
That did not work.
She was airlifted to Halifax, where she spent 18 months in hospital, where her survival was in doubt on more than a couple of occasions.
She was fed intravenously for at least a year.
“It seems like a bad dream now,’’ she said.
Native Islander Dr. Bernie MacIntyre tried two surgeries that came up short before finding success after a seven-hour surgery in August 2005.
However, her stomach could not be closed back up.
A mesh was put in place to keep everything inside with a layer of skin taken from her thigh stretched across her stomach area.
The first few years after being patched back together were “pretty tough’’, but she has rebounded well.
Her quality of life today, she says, is really good.
“I’m optimistic that I’m going to live a fairly healthy life.”
Christine MacCallum
“I’m optimistic that I’m going to live a fairly healthy life,’’ she says.
She remains on medication for her Crohn’s disease to keep her bowel from getting inflamed.
She cannot have any more surgery on her bowel, so she has to be very careful what she eats to minimize the risk of a blockage.
MacCallum is active in helping others who have had an ostomy, spearheading a peer support group that meets monthly in Charlottetown and has more than 50 members.
Roughly 600 people living in P.E.I. today have had an ostomy.
Saturday’s fundraising event called the Stoma Stroll is being held very much with them in mind.
The event, a walk starting at 10 a.m. at the Bell Aliant Centre at UPEI, is aimed to raise both money and awareness.
“Mainly we are focused on awareness,’’ said MacCallum.
“Having an ostomy is a lifesaver, but at the same time it can come with major problems.’’
That includes expenses.
MacCallum says she is out of pocket $300 to $500 per month paying for ostomy supplies, including a flange, which sticks to the body and covers the stoma, and bags that collect the waste.
The province has been urged to assist in the costs.
Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell stated in the spring sitting of the legislature that his department is looking into how to provide additional financial support to individuals who require ostomy supplies.
MacCallum and others are waiting for an update.
For more information on the Stoma Stroll or the Charlottetown ostomy peer support group, contact MacCallum at 902-566-1459.
At a glance
What: Stoma Stroll
Where: Bell Aliant Centre at UPEI
When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.
Contact: For more information, call Christine MacCallum, 902-566-1459
