What The Poop? Thriving with Ulcerative Colitis

Sex After an Ostomy: The Untold Truth About Intimacy, Diverticulitis & Life-Saving Surgery What really happens to your sex life, confidence, and sense of identity after an emergency ostomy?

In this powerful episode, Coralie Lynch shares the story of how months of ignored symptoms led to diverticulitis, a bowel perforation, sepsis, and a middle-of-the-night emergency surgery that saved her life.

We talk about:

The subtle signs she missed and what women should watch for

The reality of living with an ostomy bag (leaks, fear, shame, trial and error)

How intimacy changed — desire, libido, and the anxiety around sex

What partners need to know about supporting someone with an ostomy

Reclaiming confidence and rebuilding a relationship with her body

The emotional crash after surgery and the mental recovery no one warns you about

Coralie is a 20-year sex-education veteran and owner of The Cheeky Boutiki. Her mission is to help women experience pleasure without shame, regardless of body or budget.

Connect with Coralie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecheekyboo or https://www.instagram.com/coralietv

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecheekyboo or https://www.tiktok.com/@coralietv

Podcast: Not Safe For Brunch

If you’re living with an ostomy, healing from surgery, or navigating intimacy after illness, this conversation will remind you: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone.

Connect with Teri:

https://www.teriholland.ca

www.instagram.com/whatthepooppodcast

www.instagram.com/theteriholland

What does “remission” really mean when you’re living with ulcerative colitis? In this candid bonus episode of What the Poop?, Teri shares a personal story about a health scare that turned out not to be a flare — and the important lesson her gastroenterologist taught her about managing expectations in remission.

With honesty and humor, she breaks down the realities of life with UC: why little “blips” are part of the journey, why it’s never wrong to check in with your doctor, and how to balance vigilance with peace of mind.


What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

The panic spiral of thinking a flare might be starting — and what actually happened

Why blood doesn’t always mean a flare-up

The role of tests, follow-ups, and communication with your GI team

How infections and an already inflamed colon can mimic symptoms

The key perspective shift: remission doesn’t mean perfect, it means better

How to manage expectations so you don’t feel “crazy” when symptoms pop up


Key Takeaway
Even in remission, UC can throw curveballs. Managing expectations isn’t about lowering the bar — it’s about knowing what’s normal for your body, staying proactive, and giving yourself permission to not have it all figured out.


Resources & Links

Subscribe to What the Poop? for more real, unfiltered conversations about life with UC and invisible illness

Share this episode with someone navigating their own remission journey

When your body doesn’t cooperate the way you want it to, expectations can feel like landmines. The pressure to “keep up,” the guilt of letting people down, and the frustration of not meeting your own standards can leave you exhausted — long before the flare-ups even hit.

In this episode of What the Poop?, Teri dives into the messy reality of expectations:

The difference between self-expectations and other people’s

How to set boundaries without apologizing

Why reframing expectations can reduce stress and give you back control

If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing because you can’t live up to what others expect — or what you expect of yourself — this conversation will help you breathe easier.

Because managing expectations isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about setting it where it belongs: in alignment with your health, energy, and reality.

In this heartfelt episode, host Teri Holland shares her personal journey with ulcerative colitis, exploring the powerful connection between gut health, spiritual healing, and holistic wellness. After years of battling chronic illness, Teri opens up about her struggles, moments of surrender, and the role faith played in her path to remission.

Key Topics Covered:

Ulcerative colitis symptoms, flare-ups, and remission stories

The importance of gut health in managing chronic illness

How spiritual surrender and faith in God contributed to healing

The role of holistic approaches: medication, hypnotherapy, NLP, and emotional healing

Viewing chronic disease as a catalyst for personal growth and purpose

Tips for connecting with your spiritual side during health challenges

Encouragement for listeners facing their own health journeys

Why Listen? If you or someone you love is living with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or another chronic illness, this episode offers hope, practical advice, and a unique perspective on the mind-body-spirit connection. Discover how integrating faith, emotional healing, and gut health strategies can support your journey toward wellness.

Connect with Teri:

Instagram: @theteriholland

Podcast Instagram: @whatthepooppodcast

Leave a comment on Spotify or reach out via social media

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about finding peace, purpose, and healing—inside and out.

Welcome to season two of What to the Poop! I'm your host, Teri Holland, and today we're dishing the scoop on everything food-related and ulcerative colitis. After navigating this condition for over three decades, I’m here to share my highs, lows, and a mix of humor on living with UC. From my experiments with a vegetarian diet in high school to going carnivore recently, I'll talk about what worked (and what didn’t) for me. Expect insights on listening to your body, finding the right diet for you, and why food isn't the culprit behind UC. Join me as we kick off a new season—full of community, laughs, and learning together!

Show links:

Recommended listening: The Road to Carnivore with Joanne Ozug

Connect with me: www.instagram.com/theteriholland

or at www.instagram.com/whatthepooppodcast



Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Season Two

01:33 Understanding Ulcerative Colitis and Food

02:57 Personal Journey with Diet Changes

07:24 Experimenting with Different Diets

09:12 Finding What Works for You

19:32 Conclusion and Listener Engagement



PODCAST disclaimer: While I make every effort to broadcast correct information, I am still learning. I will double check all my facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. I am simply presenting my views based on my personal experience of living with Ulcerative Colitis. I welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors. I take no money from drug or device companies. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast or blog. Under no circumstances shall Teri Holland, What The Poop?, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Teri Holland or What The Poop? be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.