Hello, my name is Nichola Hamilton and I have lived with Crohns
disease for twenty years. Recently due to health I have wrote my first
autobiography, it is called “Climbing The Ladder of
Life” living with Crohns disease. It has been
wonderful therapy to write. I am originally from Invercargill and live on the
Gold Coast. I wanted to share my story and bring about awareness and so far the
book is touching a lot of lives and for people to realise they are not alone. I
have recently spoken at the Gold Coast Ostomy Day and some of the associations
find the book helpful for other patients. My website where the book can be
ordered from is www.climbingtheladderoflife.com This
has more details of my life and story. Look forward to hearing from you and
Thankyou for your time.
Regards Nichola
The following is a brief from the back cover of Nichola’s
book and a letter from her Stoma nurse – a wonderful inspiration to anyone
contemplating surgery - Ed
CLIMBING THE LADDER OF LIFE
Nichola reveals her inspiring journey of living with Crohns disease for twenty years.
She shares the trials and
tribulations of enduring 15 operations and countless hospital visits. For Nichola her life has been turmoil with a never-ending
roller coaster in several ways, physically, emotionally and financially. An
amazing journey she took to change lifestyle and overcome tremendous adversity.
At times a fight for life in all different ways. A
touching story of the impact Crohn’s disease has had
on her life. She shares how the fondest love is inside of you to aim high, soar
high, and love thyself. This story is told with heartbreaking honesty.
Letter written by Nichola’s
Stoma nurse
The construction of Nichola’s ileostomy was
initially created to improve her quality of life,
however secondary to this operation is permanent physical disfigurement and an
incontinent life-style. Nichola has accepted
and learnt to deal with these life-style adjustments in an exceptionally mature
and inspirational manner.
Since living with her ileostomy she has unfortunately encountered many
setbacks mainly due to retraction of the stoma, subsequently requiring
refashioning or resiting of the stoma. Nichola’s
attitude has not allowed her to see this as a setback merely an interruption to
her normal active life.
At times my department has been introduced to a new patient either
suffering from Crohns or requiring similar surgery for
various other reasons and are extremely overwhelmed with the proposed surgery
and its outcome. Nichola has made herself available to act as a support person to new patients
on many occasions.
I do give all my patients pre-surgery counselling which is suitable for
many, however there are the odd few that Nichola’s
example has made a difference to and not just for patients but for all of us in
the medical profession.
Her book will definitely be included on my bookshelf where again Nichola’s attitude will work its magic when required.
Sheryl Waye, RN. STN.
BN
Clinical Nurse Consultant, Stomal Department
Gold Coast Health Service District,
Queensland
Health.
