In 2015, Kimberly was in the midst of cancer treatments, with a bowel perforation and an obstruction that required emergency surgery. She knew she had stage 2 rectal cancer, with a fist-sized tumor in her sigmoid colon. She knew that she’d be coming out of surgery with a temporary six-week ostomy. But she didn’t expect to be asked to keep it for two years in case of cancer recurrence. The new Kimberly was going to take some adjustment. And adjust she did.

These days, Kimberly sees her ostomy as a part of herself, one that she actually adores. As strange as it may sound, Kimberly’s ostomy has enriched her life so much that after two years of having it, she decided to keep it permanently when the option arose to have it removed. She’s named it Toodles and refers to her ostomy as her side buddy in life, one that has gained Kimberly access to supportive communities for ostomates and colorectal cancer.

At the beginning of her ostomy journey, she felt alone and isolated. With all of her new scars and medical appliances, she felt like a stranger in her own skin. But once she met like-minded people within the same community, Kimberly felt a surge of empowerment take hold. Encouraging herself and others to embrace their new bodies.

Now 54 and living in Georgetown, Kentucky, Kimberly is an accomplished author, burlesque performer, motivational speaker, model, Fight Colorectal Cancer Ambassador, and proud ostomy advocate/educator. Kimberly says she feels like this experience has enriched her so much. All things she didn’t know she was capable of doing before meeting Toodles.

Products used: SUR-FIT Natura® precut Stomahesive wafer, Natura®+ Two-Piece Drainable Pouch, SUR-FIT Natura® Two-Piece Closed-End Pouch, ESENTA™ Lubricating Deodorant and ESENTA™ Adhesive Removers and Skin Barriers

(Watch Kimberly’s story here)