I got ileostomy in 2008 after I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Before that I had colitis ulcerosa for five years which affected my health and limited my quality of life, a lot. The ileostomy, despite its limitations, has given me freedom that I didn’t enjoy before.
I’m a mountaineer and love everything related to the outdoors, high peaks and physical and mental challenges. I got through the insecurity of having ileostomy quite soon and have since been quite active in rock climbing, hiking, ski mountaineering and more. My strong desire for the mountains didn’t start until after I had colitis ulcerosa and therefore I never could pursue the mountains completely – until I had the surgery.
I had an extra surgery in december 2009 and recovered from it in two months. Today, all my surgeries are over and I can look forward, with adequate certainty of full health in the future. Therefore I think big and aim high.
Brief overview:
Ágúst Kristján Steinarrsson (Steinarrsson translates to “Son of Stones”)- 30 years old male
- Father of a 3 year old girl. (Her name is Hekla, after a famous mountain in Iceland)
- Husband to a great woman (Her name is Björg, which in Icelandic means Cliffs… see a pattern anyone? ,-)
- Head of service center and logistics at Landspitali University Hospital, responsible for security, transportation, service desk, call center and more.
- Live in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Wow! I am really glad that I found this. I am 47 years old and had surgery for Ulcertive Colitis in 1981. Then there was no way to connect with other people like today. Especially to find out information that may help myself as well as others.
I have been extremely active all of my life, spending most of my free time outdoors. For a career of 25 years I have been a Park Ranger, which also puts me int the outdoors the majority of the time. I am currently in training for a climb of Mt. Hood in Oregon, which is a little over 11,000 feet in elevation. I am looking for information on your story and equipment which may help with the use of a climbing harness.
Hi Carl,
It’s great to hear your response and to know that my webpage can make a difference. Even if it is only three years since I got suregery I was also struggling to find helpfull and inspiring information for my active lifestyle – which explains why I decided to put up this page.
There are all kinds of stuff on my page that might answer your questions but if there is anything you would like to know just send me an e-mail (agustkr (at) gmail (dot) com) and I’ll do my best to answer your thoughts.
Also, it would be great to hear your story as you must have a thing or two to say given you’ve had ostomy for all this time. What are your activities and what are your
“tricks of the (ostomy) trade”?
Hi Ágúst,
Thank you for the inspirational site. I suffered from Ulcerative Colitis for about ten years and had permanent ileostomy surgery last November after a severe flare. I love rock climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, snowboarding and trail running. I am also an interpretive park ranger in Colorado and lead nature programs for the public as a career (funny that you have gotten two park ranger replies in two days). I am still healing up from surgery, but my surgeon assures me that I will be able to do all these activities again at some point. I am not sure how I will manage my ileostomy on backpack trips and climbs, but I know I will figure it out with some trial and error. I hope to get out on some rougher trails once my surgeon gives me the okay in a few weeks (I have had a few minor complications after surgery and have been healing a bit slower than most people). I know it will be a while before I am strong enough to rock climb again, but your site reminds me that my outdoor adventures do not have to end with an ileostomy, and that I will get to do all these things eventually. Thank you again!
Cheers,
Heidi
Hi Heidi.
I guess I can say congrats on your ileostomy as it is very likely that your active lifestyle will take a drastic change to the better from now on and your outdoor adventures might take a new start – opening for new possibilities in the future.
It will probably take you some time to adapt to the ileostomy but I urge you challenge yourself as it will most likely rapid your adaptation greatly – At least it was for me. Also, I urge you to set a long term goal for something that you havent been able to do due to Ulcervative Colitis and preferably something that challenges your new life with ileostomy.
Thank you for your comments – it really means a lot to me to get these comments (especially from park rangers
and I hope you will fully heal soon.
P.S. if you should start doing some adventures soon it would be interesting hear about your progress.
Loved your video’s your an inspration to people like my self who have Just had the surgery, that you can live a full & fun life… Thank you, all the best for the future
Hi Angela,
Thank you for your kind message. I hope your recovery will be as great as mine was. Just remember to embrace your stoma as a gift – as it is possibly one of the best gifts so far