I'm Built For This - Dealing with Invisible illnesses

Thanks to Bowel Research UK for sharing part 2 of my stoma story to raise awareness on those impacted by invisible illnesses. #Invisibleillnesses  🔗 👇  https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/latest-news/waking-up-in-hospital-with-stanley-the-stoma/ Bowel Research Blog Story Part 2

I was pleased to have been asked to share my stoma story by Bowel Research UK, to raise awareness on stoma conditions.  I wrote a couple of blogs for them which will follow shortly.  Here is my introduction.  _________________________________________  "Meet Eric. Eric will be joining us as a regular blogger writing about his experiences of living with a stoma. He has already kindly taken part in our #auguts #HaveYouGotTheGuts campaign, where he explains why he actively supports speaking publicly about his stoma and how it helps others to be open about their bowel diseases.  https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/about-us/getting-to-know/getting-to-know-guest-blogger-eric-douglin/ #stoma #stomastigma 

I was privileged to have been invited to share my kidney transplant story with Dee Moore of the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast. Please feel free to have a listen. 🎙 🎙  'Diary of a  Kidney Warrior' Podcast Episode 64: Eric’s Kidney Warrior Story Eric Douglin joins  Dee Moore to share his inspirational Kidney Warrior story. Eric shares about: his diagnosis of end stage renal failure, his journey to accepting his diagnosis, receiving a kidney transplant from his wife Mandi , & paying it forward through kidney health advocacy.  Eric shares advice and the lessons he has learned during his Kidney Warrior Journey.      Out now on: Podbean https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-rdebf-1276313 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-of-a-kidney-warrior-podcast/id1529196456?i=1000570266691 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SlX0TuomNWsdvsoLpXxGy?si=_cyi2KdRSQmubUA6LuAcLw YouTube https://youtu.be/5IfJZDd6kvo

It had just gone past 2am on a Sunday morning, and I have just got off of a WhatsApp call with another basketball coach in the USA who wants to bring his team to compete in the World Club Basketball Tournament.    Although it was a good call and the coach and I discussed many subjects, including the Queens Platinum Jubilee (I don’t know why), I was very tired, bleary eyed and a headache was looming through the lack of sleep.                   It's Good To Be Back!!               The Stoma Saved my Life This was the third consecutive night I had been on a late night/ early morning call with an overseas coach or basketball organisation, either discussing WCBT or just having a conversation about basketball in general.                 On another transatlantic call  As I got upstairs my wife Mandi, woke up and said she was just a...

Special Moments There were some things in my life when I was a young man I looked forward to or had mapped out in my head, to achieve by certain various chaotic timescales. Some of these plans have come to fruition, others have not and are still  on Eric’s To Do List’. When I was around 14 years old, I remember compiling a massive list of these things in my orange fluffy padlocked diary (which my brother broke into) that I wanted to achieve when I was older. Some of my wild aspirations included, and in no particular order are listed below: Eric’s To Do List circa 1977 Making the school sports team Having my first kiss (before the age of 18) (Failed) Passing my driving test at 17 Drinking my first pint of Special Brew (Shandy Bass) Smoking a cigarette (Failed) Getting a girlfriend before my twin brother. Travelling the world Playing football for Arsenal or being employed at the Co Op. (Google it) Getting my own place at 18 Having children but not before 30. Scaring th...

Happy Kidneyversary to 'MEric'my donor Kidney ,  As of 15th January 2010 you have been in my body keeping me alive for the last 12 years. Your previous owner looked after you very well, apart from the odd cigarette and bottles of Pink Lady and Lambrusco, while hitting the disco back in the day.  Like your previous owner you are one of the most stubborn, feisty and resilient living things I have been fortunate to come across.  You 'MEric' have certainly taking a licking but you keep on ticking'.  But for the selflessness and humility of your generous owner, there is a strong possibility I would not be here today.  It's strange to think of all the wonderful experiences I would have missed out on, the grandchildren I would not have met, and the fantastic people across the world, who I would not have had the pleasure to meet.  In addition just over 3 months time I get to walk my beautiful daughter Lauren, down the aisle.  'MEric' you made that possible....

The Story of 2021 So Far!  What can I say about 2021 and my first year with 'Stanley the Stoma' ? ……."It's been emotional " Since 2010, the month of January has always been the month in which I celebrated receiving a gift of life kidney transplant from my wife Mandi, on the 15 th   January 2010.  But now there was a new date to add to the calendar which will also have an added significance . On January 3rd 2022, I ‘celebrated’ the first year of receiving a Stoma  https://blackmenshealth.org.uk/2021/06/18/my-stoma-story-im-still-standing/    after my bowel ruptured, and I was dragged forcibly to hospital my Mandi in excruciating pain proclaiming “I’ll be ok in the morning, just give me a paracetamol”   Little did I know at the time, that I was literally 24hrs from dying with sepsis after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. Filming an awareness video for Sepsis UK   As my stomaversary (yes that’s a thing), has been getting closer this week , I have...