WHEN Caroline Hill was finally diagnosed with Crohn's disease after many years of being told she had ulcerative colitis, she felt an immediate sense of relief.

"I felt like someone was listening to me at last," says the 40-year-old, from Titchfield Common. "It was such a relief to know that I wasn't going mad.

"I'd been suffering with bleeding, severe diarrhoea, pain, high temperatures and nausea for so long, and nothing appeared to be working - I thought I would be like it that forever.

"I had no quality of life anymore. I didn't want to go out anywhere, was always tired and the different drugs I was on were causing mood swings. It was horrendous, for both me and my family."

Eighteen months after her diagnosis, Caroline had to have emergency surgery, which took almost ten hours, to have an ileostomy – a procedure where the small bowel is diverted through an opening in the tummy, known as a stoma.

Since then she says she has never looked back, although the early weeks were not easy to adjust to.

"It is so good to feel well and have a life again," explains Caroline, who is married to husband Fraser with three children between them. "And it is really nice to be able to eat and not feel ill a few hours later.

"It was difficult in the beginning, after the operation, as I was really embarrassed to have to change my bag in public toilet cubicles – I felt like people would know, but I soon realised that it was no different to using a toilet.

"And I did go through leaks and leaks until I found a stoma bag that worked for me, as they are all different. And there was no way that I was going to put up with leaks.

"But now, my energy levels are much better and I am starting to feel like me again.

"I go swimming and I even spent five hours at a water park when we went on holiday!"

Now, after realising there was not much support for people who have undergone an ileostomy, Caroline, who owns a hairdressing salon, has set up a support group so that people can develop friendships with people who know what they are going through.

"When I first had my stoma, I didn't realise there were so many people who had one and I felt very lonely," she says.

"Then, Joel, my stoma nurse Joel, asked me if I would see another patient with ulcerative colitis, who was thinking of having the operation, and I said yes.

"I went round to see her and answered her questions as to what it is like to live with a stoma.

"We supported each other and visited Solent Ostomy Support Group, who meet at Kings Community Church, Hedge End between 2pm and 4pm on the last Wednesday of every month.

"But they were only available in the afternoons, that's when we realised we wanted to begin a support group for people who have work commitments during the day."

Caroline set up Southern Ostomy Group for people with stomas, their families and carers in Southampton and Portsmouth areas.

They meet at King Fisher Caravan Park, Gosport on the last Monday of the month at 6.30pm.

"We want people to know they are not alone," continues Caroline. "And at our meetings we will have specialist speakers from stoma companies and stoma nurses,.

"But also it will also be a social thing – somewhere where people can get any questions they have answered, share experiences, support one another and live a full and happy life.

"After all, having a stoma shouldn't stop people from living their lives!"

l Caroline is currently organising a Southern Ostomy family and friends fundraising summer barbecue at Royal Victoria Country Park on Sunday, September 6. Tickets must be booked in advance.

For more details, information please contact Caroline on 07756 819291 or send her an email southernostomygroup@hotmail.com.