Parallel Lives

13 August, 2026

Peta had a stoma formed due to an injury, Kris, due to diverticulitis.

Peta lives with a permanent stoma, Kris had a reversal.

Peta loves her stoma, while Kris never accepted hers.

But the two women do have one critical thing in common – they are in fact sisters.

Here, the siblings reflect on their stoma experiences together (words by Kris, and agreed with Peta).

Tell us a little about your relationship as siblings.

Peta is the baby of the family and nearly seven years younger than me.

We are a close family although I’m rubbish at staying in touch, we text and see each other when we can and regularly share holidays, theatre trips, family BBQs and meals out.

I live in North London and Peta in Buckinghamshire.

Peta is great at arranging fun and exciting get-togethers and Christmas would not be Christmas if we didn’t spend it together with our families (Peta the organiser arranges food, activities, and timetable with precision!).

It is such a coincidence that you both have stomas for completely different reasons. How much did you discuss your stomas and support one another on your stoma journeys?

Peta had her stoma first, I don’t recall discussing it a great deal, both of us being quite stoical.

On saying that, I knew I could have asked any question I wanted and got an honest ‘no nonsense’ response.

Without doubt, we both appreciated the unconditional emotional and practical support of our husbands, especially during the dark, early days of uncertainty.

I feel we have both been strong and resilient throughout the years of medical setbacks, but life has plenty to offer and we both embrace every opportunity to live the lives we want to live irrespective of what life throws back!

Has the fact that you have both lived with stomas changed your relationship in any way?

I’m not sure the shared stoma experience changed anything about our relationship.

We were both there for one another but ‘got on with it’ and life carried on.

We’ve both been through a lot of surgery and come through the other side thanks to the skill and dedication of medical professionals which is very humbling.

Any final thoughts on your shared stoma experiences?

Neither of us entertain the idea of stigmatising life with a stoma and both talk openly about stomas in a positive way.

We have both supported friends who have gone through the same trauma and hopefully alleviated their fears.

I am now stoma free but it’s an experience that will always be part of who I am.

Peta is grateful she has the security of her stoma which allows her to carry on with ‘business as usual’.

Support From Colostomy UK

We offer a wide range of support for people living with a colostomy, including our free Stoma Helpline, live chat support, and opportunities to connect with others through local and online groups. We also provide trusted information and resources to offer practical advice, reassurance, and the confidence to live well with a stoma: colostomyuk.org/support