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 recovery that often goes unspoken.

This is not about fear. It is about awareness.

Because when you understand what can happen, you are better prepared to recognize it, respond to it, and move through it.

If you are navigating this yourself, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a real-life look at what recovery can actually feel like beyond the expected timeline.

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 came with trying to figure it all out in real time.

This is not about the physical side of recovery. This is about the part that happens internally. The moments where you feel disconnected, exhausted, and unsure how to move forward.

I also share what helped me begin to shift out of that space, including recognizing the signs of depression, allowing myself to meet myself where I was, and finding small ways to move forward without pressure.

If you are preparing for surgery, newly navigating life with a urostomy, or finding yourself in that quiet, heavy space, this episode is for you.

You can also find Leaks, Laughs & Life with a Urostomy: The Handbook and The Plot Twist Journal on Amazon. Together, they support those preparing for or living with a urostomy, as well as those supporting them.

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 worry, this episode is all about real-life experience and practical tips.

We also talk about gas and the “morning surprise” ballooning effect in nighttime bags, how diet can play a role, and simple adjustments that can make nights more comfortable.

If you have ever wondered if you are doing it right at night, or just want to feel more confident and less alone in the process, this one is for you.

Because better nights really do lead to better days.