Celebrating National Carers Week. Ellie and David

26 May, 2026

With National Carer’s Week set to take place between the 8th – 14th of June, we asked Ellie Wilkes to tell us about her caring responsibilities for her beloved grandad, David Sims.*

Tell us a little bit about yourselves:

My name is Ellie Wilkes and I am 26 years old, from Essex. I help care for my grandad, David Sims, who is 84 years old, a born and bred East End Chap, who’s lived in Stratford his whole life.

Why did David have a stoma formed?

My grandad was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000. It was a very difficult time for him and our family, but over the years he has shown incredible strength and resilience. For more than 25 years he has lived with prostate cancer, managing the condition with ongoing hormone treatment and regular medical care.

During one of his routine check-ups for his prostate, doctors recommended that Grandad undergo a nuclear medicine scan. This involved swallowing a special radioactive tracer, followed by a full-body scan using advanced imaging equipment to detect any abnormalities.

Sadly, in March 2025 grandad was diagnosed with colon cancer (doctors also discovered a lump on his lung, which has since been confirmed as lung cancer.) It was a devastating diagnosis for him and for all of us as a family. At the time, doctors explained that without surgery his life expectancy could be as little as one to two years.

In September 2025, Grandad was admitted to hospital for surgery to remove the colon cancer. Before the operation, doctors carried out a colonoscopy to understand exactly how far the cancer had spread. Unfortunately, the results showed that the cancer had progressed more than expected and because of this, the surgeons had to make a very serious but life-saving decision during the operation. The only way to remove the cancer and give Grandad a chance of survival was to remove his entire lower bowel. This meant that he would need a permanent ileostomy. Although this was a huge life change for him, the surgery was necessary to save him. Doctors told us that without this operation he may not have survived until Christmas.

After the surgery, Grandad spent three days in intensive care while doctors and nurses closely monitored his recovery. It was a very worrying time, but thankfully he gradually became stable and was later moved to a general ward to continue recovering.

How has David adjusted to life with a stoma?

When my grandad was first diagnosed with colon cancer, he was very open about how he felt. One of his biggest concerns was the possibility of needing a stoma, something he made clear he desperately wanted to avoid. His feelings were completely understandable, as it’s such a significant and life-changing adjustment for anyone to face.

Adjusting to life with a stoma has been a big change for him, both physically and emotionally. At first it was overwhelming, but with support from stoma care nurses he slowly began to understand how to manage it and adapt to his new routine. They helped explain how the stoma works, how to care for it properly, and how he can continue living his life with confidence.

Seeing him so worried and upset was incredibly hard for me. It was heartbreaking to watch him struggle with fear and uncertainty about what lay ahead. The idea of such a major change felt overwhelming for him, and as his granddaughter, it was deeply emotional to see someone I had always known as strong and resilient feeling so vulnerable.

Although the journey has been incredibly challenging, the surgery ultimately saved his life. As a family we are very grateful that he was given the chance to keep fighting and to continue spending time with us.

What stoma care support do you help David with as part of your caring role?

Grandad is largely self-sufficient, and as his granddaughter, my role is mainly to support him with practical tasks. I help by ordering his supplies – making sure he always has enough bags, wipes, and sprays – and by keeping track of his appointments with the local stoma nurse.

When and how did you both decide to step into a carer arrangement?

This was a natural agreement from last September. I just stepped in when my grandad needed me most.

Ellie, what is the best thing about being a carer?

Spending time with my Grandad. We have always been close.

David, what is the best thing about Ellie’s support?

[David]: Ellie has been amazing from the day of my operation right up to today. She asked all the right questions, made me feel comfortable, and supported me every step of the way. I will always be grateful for everything she has done for me.

Ellie, is there anything you find challenging about your role?

Before my grandad’s operation, I had no idea what a stoma was (no-one of my family did). I spent a lot of time researching so I could better support him and make sure he didn’t feel alone. During that process, I came across Colostomy UK on Instagram and joined an online session covering the basics of stoma care. It was really helpful in building my understanding and confidence.**

In terms of my role, one of the main challenges can be supporting grandad emotionally when he’s feeling low or frustrated, especially when there isn’t an easy way to fix how he’s feeling. It can be hard seeing someone you love struggle, but I try to be there for him, reassure him, and help him feel as comfortable and confident as possible in his day-to-day life.

Is there anything about being cared for that David says he finds difficult?

In the first few weeks after grandad came home from his operation, his stoma kept leaking, and he developed a rash around the area. We later discovered he was allergic to the original bags he had been given. This really affected him, as he became anxious about going out in case of leaks. Now that we’ve found the right bags and size for him, he’s much more comfortable and managing well.

And we hear that you and David have very good news to end on….

Yes! On 13th January 2026, grandad was placed into remission for five years. Having the stoma has saved his life, and we will always be incredibly grateful for the second chance it has given him.

This article was written by Ellie, but David contributed throughout the process.

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