Home General Info & Awareness Stoma Bags & Bears On Chairs – Sending Festive Wishes…

Stoma Bags & Bears On Chairs – Sending Festive Wishes…

by InvisiblyMe

How’s everyone doing? Are you feeling festive yet, or is that a sigh of exasperation I hear?

Two photos of me side by side. I'm lifting my top slightly in each to show a red Christmas-themed stoma bag cover. I have red hair. I'm wearing black leggings with short shorts, a coloured flower top and I'm standing against a beige wall at home.

When I said I wanted a bag for Christmas, this wasn’t quite what I had in mind.

While an online friend of mine made this funky festive stoma bag cover for me, you can buy a range of awesome designs on eBay. I bought the skull one I’ve shown on here previously through a seller on eBay. You can search for stoma bag covers here, and narrow the search based on your type of bag (ie. SensuraMio).

As you can see, the 50 shades of ginger has gone. It’s easy to feel so poorly and not take care of yourself, let alone care about your appearance. But colouring my hair every now and then does make me feel a little brighter, and it makes my hair seem much fuller and shinier for a while, too.

Don’t forget that pictures don’t tell the full story. I’ve had five migraines back to back, my pain has been flaring and I’ve lost countless days already this month due to being too poorly. If you see sunshine and happiness across social media this Christmas, don’t compare it to your own situation. It only makes you feel bad about yourself and the time you’re having. You only see what others want you to see.

Here’s my much-loved Ted. Forget Elf on The Shelf. Here’s Ted on The Chair! Had him since I was very little so he has a special place in my heart. He’s got dodgy joints, too!

A collage of two photos of my Ted on a chair. He's a little beige bear with a red hat and scarf, sat on a red wood and wicker chair. Approx 5 inches tall. In photo one he's sat normally. Photo two shows his right leg has 'dislocated' and sticks out to the side.

I also wanted to take this chance to say a huge thank you to everyone here. To my online friends, fellow bloggers, partners in crime. To everyone who reads, lurks, likes & comments on InvisiblyMe. You mean a lot to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you.

Christmas can involve a ridiculous build up of stress, worry and exhaustion, but then it’s over and done before we know it. As I said in my Christmas tips post, C’est la vie. Don’t put too much pressure on it all. What happens, happens. Now is the time to step back & to set aside stress. Focus on what’s important to YOU. If you’re feeling low and struggling, please reach out. You’re not alone.

To those who celebrate it, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I’d also like to wish those celebrating it a very happy Hanukkah.

I hope it is as comfortable as possible and that you can enjoy the small joys in each moment. Please make sure look after yourselves.

Caz  ♥

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67 comments

Sophie Zographos December 23, 2019 - 1:58 pm

Love ya CAZZZZZZZ MERRY CHRISTMASSSS!!!!!

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:07 pm

Aww love ya too, Sophie! Merry Christmas to you lovely  ♥ xx

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Darnell December 23, 2019 - 1:59 pm

Happiness to you every day! Love your style. You managed to pull off a festive stoma cover. Very Rad. And your hair is quite the bee’s knees. Warm wishes to you Caz. Very jazzed to know you!
I’m going to rest and binge-watch my favorite shows. Hope you do the same.
Later!

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:08 pm

‘Rad’ – don’t hear that much these days & yet I’ve always wanted someone to call me that – thanks, Darnell!! Jazzed to know you too, good sir. Rest & enjoy those shows in style my friend. Merry Christmas ???? xx

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Margaret December 23, 2019 - 2:03 pm

Ginger or not, you are gorgeous! 🙂 Have a great holiday season Caz xoxo 🙂

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:09 pm

That will make me feel better once this fades and it’s back to 50 shades of ginger! Thank you, Margaret. Sending warm wishes your way, I hope you can have a peaceful, enjoyable Christmas ???? xxxx

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Ruth December 23, 2019 - 2:13 pm

Happy holidays! ????????????

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:10 pm

Thank you. And to you, Ruth – Merry Christmas! ???? xx

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almeidadepaulo December 23, 2019 - 2:14 pm

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Caz!!!????????????????

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:11 pm

Thank you very much – the same to you my friend, Merry Christmas! ???? x

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Ashley December 23, 2019 - 2:44 pm

Beautiful bag cover! Merry Christmas lovely!

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:13 pm

Thanks, the cover is great, isn’t it? The lovely lady that made it is very talented – I can’t sew for shit! Merry Christmas, Ashley, I hope it’s as restful & enjoyable as it can be ???? ♥ xx

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B December 23, 2019 - 3:00 pm

Oh you gorgeous girl.

(Not yet festive, but you always improve my mood.)

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:16 pm

I wouldn’t say gorgeous but I preferred this accidental photo to the one I posed for (that could have been a mugshot!) I’m not feeling festive yet either; I don’t think the stress you’ve had to deal with has helped you though lovely. I really do hope you can feel a little more Christmassy today and tomorrow, and that you can enjoy it as much as possible. Wishing you & your family a very Merry Christmas, Bo! ???? ♥
Caz xx

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Sandee December 23, 2019 - 3:28 pm

Way cool and you already know that I think you are most beautiful.

Have a fabulous day and week, Caz. Merry Christmas. ♥

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:19 pm

I’m not quite as cool as the lady that made the bag, she’s got oodles of talent to do it because I can’t sew to save my life! Thank you so much for your kind comment, Sandee. Wishing you & hubby a very Merry Christmas! ????xx

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Despite Pain December 23, 2019 - 4:04 pm

Merry Christmas Caz. Thank you for all the support you give to me and other bloggers. I hope that Christmas is kind to you – you deserve it.

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:21 pm

And likewise thank you for your support & friendship, Liz, it means a lot  ♥ Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas! I hope it can be as comfortable as possible ???? xx

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Liz December 23, 2019 - 4:33 pm

Have a nice Christmas Caz.

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:30 pm

Thank you lovely. I know things have been incredibly difficult for you this year & I can only imagine the stress it’s caused around Christmas, but I hope you’re able to enjoy as much of it as you can. You deserve some happiness, Liz. Sending love – Merry Christmas ???? xx

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floatinggold December 23, 2019 - 7:10 pm

Merry Christmas.
I was never a fan of the Elf on the shelf, so I think your teddy is a much better idea.
And that bag looks festive. What a neat little idea to try and decorate it like that.
You are spot on – on social media you only see what others want you to see. It is not the whole truth.

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InvisiblyMe December 24, 2019 - 1:36 pm

I’ve seen some pretty creative Elf on the Shelf scenarios but it’s never been my thing either. So true about social media and at times like Christmas, if you’re not having oodles of fun or spending lots of money or going out partying then you can feel ‘less than’ or left out; we’re almost engineered to compare ourselves to others but it can be incredibly damaging and especially so with unrealistic social media. Thank you for the brilliant comment! Merry Christmas (and congrats again on being published!) ???? x

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John Rieber December 23, 2019 - 7:13 pm

Happy holidays dn here’s to a healthy 2020!

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:06 am

Thank you, John – all the best for you & your family in 2020, I hope it’s a good one! ???? x

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violaetcetera December 23, 2019 - 8:35 pm

That’s a very stylish bag, and your hair looks wonderful. Sometimes these little things make us feel better.
Have a wonderful holiday, Caz xoxo

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:07 am

Aw thank you, Viola! I hope you had a good Christmas period in the end. I really do hope 2020 is a brighter year for you lovely  ♥ xx

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Sam December 23, 2019 - 8:57 pm

Merry Christmas Caz. Thank you so much for all your love and support throughout the year. Lots of love, Sam xx

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:09 am

Likewise, Sam – thank you for all of your support, and for the wonderful posts you write and share with all of us on your own blog ♥ I hope you’ve had a restful week xx

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George Rector December 23, 2019 - 10:40 pm

Wishing you joy at this time and in the future, Caz.

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:14 am

Thank you, George – I hope you’ve had a good Christmas holiday thus far, and I’ll say it early and wish you all the very best for a happy, healthy 2020! ???? xx

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Da-AL December 24, 2019 - 2:08 am

One day you’ll share your magic for how to be so lovely no matter what. Wishing you the best, too, dear! Btw, reminder to all – just heard from a psychologist friend that actually folks tend to prepare themselves for holidays — the real challenge is those wintery sort of months that’re in-between blah ie March, so we all need to recoginize as well as to checkin with each other…

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:21 am

Aw thank you, da-AL! Very, very good point so thank you for sharing that from your psychologist friend. They say the aftermath of Christmas can be quite a harsh reality to face, coupled with the loss of finances, miserable weather, social (and social media) pressure and the pressure we put on ourselves with ‘new year new me’ resolutions that dissipate all too quickly. The shine of the festive season can rub off and we’re left feeling pretty low. That said, I hope you had a good holiday time and I wish you all the very, very best for a happy, healthy 2020! I hope you can slowly move into the new year throughout next week with warmth and hope in your heart  ♥ xx

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Masha Ellman December 24, 2019 - 2:37 am

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year & new decade, may all your wishes come true <3 <3 <3

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:24 am

Bless you, thanks, Masha! I hope you had a lovely Christmas – wishing you all the very, very best for a happy & healthy New Year! ???? xx

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Siobhan December 24, 2019 - 4:54 am

Merry Christmas lovely, hope 2020 brings only good things for you.

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:25 am

Thank you – I hope you had a lovely week! Wishing you all the best for a bright New Year! ????
xx

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Nicole December 24, 2019 - 5:06 am

Dear Caz,
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas filled with everything your heart desires and a safe and Happy New Year 2020! Thank you for your ongoing online friendship in the blog world. May the New Year being you peace, happiness and of course good health.

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:37 pm

Aw thank you, Nicole! I hope you’re keeping as well as possible – I sent you an ecard, but I’m not sure if you opened it? Wishing you the very, very best for a bright New Year, I hope 2020 is one of health and happier times  ♥ xx

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Anjali December 24, 2019 - 5:15 am

Merry Christmas Caz ❄????????????❄

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:38 pm

I hope you had a lovely Christmas, Anjali! Wishing you a lovely week ahead and all the best for a great New Year! ???? xx

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Jo December 24, 2019 - 3:01 pm

All the best Caz x

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:39 pm

You too, Jo – I hope you’ve been having a decent week!  ♥ xx

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Quirky Girl December 24, 2019 - 4:52 pm

Merry Christmas! The Bigly Bestest and I wish you a wonderful holiday season and much joy and happiness. <3

Oh, and your hair looks terrific! That is a great color on you! 😉

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:40 pm

Aw, thank you! I hope you’ve all been having a lovely Christmas week – wishing you all the very, very best for a great New Year ahead, full of good times, smiles & doggy biscuits! ????xx

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Jay December 24, 2019 - 5:00 pm

Merry Christmas hun!!!

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:42 pm

Hope you guys had a lovely Christmas!  ♥???? xx

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Holly G December 24, 2019 - 8:05 pm

To one of my favorite people on the whole planet – MERRY CHRISTMAS CAZ! Love that firey red hair on you. It celebrates your uniqueness. What’s better than that?

Ted is pretty darn cute too! 😀 Hope he brings you some comfort during this Christmas season.

Sending you oodles and oodles of love, endless (but gentle) bear hugs and all my very very best.

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:45 pm

You’re the best, Holly! Thank you for such a lovely comment, you always make me smile. I hope you’ve had a week filled with small joys and I really, really hope the New Year is kind to you. You more than deserve brighter days. Gentle bear hugs right back at ‘ya  ♥ xx

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Tamara December 24, 2019 - 9:19 pm

Merry CHRISTmas!!! ???????? ♥️ I love your hair color.

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:48 pm

Cheers, Tamaaaaaaaraaaaaa. How’re you doing lovely? I hope you’re doing as well as possible. Are you back now from your trip? Message me whenever you want, if you ever need to chat. I hope you’ve had a decent Christmas week ???? xx

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K E Garland December 25, 2019 - 10:32 pm

I hope you’ve had a joyous holiday season, too Caz! I was going to comment on IG that your Christmas stoma coverup/bag was cute but wasn’t sure if that was appropriate lol

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 5:54 pm

I would have loved that – cute is good, thank you! Never worry about what’s appropriate or not, if you want to say it then feel free to say it ????
I hope you’ve had a lovely Christmas week and I hope you have a great week ahead to ring in the New Year! xx

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Ann Coleman December 26, 2019 - 3:41 am

Merry Christmas, Caz!!!

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 6:09 pm

Thanks, Ann – I hope you had a lovely week for Christmas! ????xx

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Mary Mangee December 26, 2019 - 1:02 pm

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 6:12 pm

Hope you had a great Christmas, Mary! Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy 2020! x

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Michelle December 27, 2019 - 1:18 am

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 6:14 pm

Likewise, Michelle – I hope yours went as well as possible ???? Can’t believe it’s already over and done with for another year..! xx

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mark bierman December 29, 2019 - 9:53 am

Hope you had a great Christmas! All the best in 2020!

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 6:52 pm

Thanks, Mark, that’s much appreciated. Hope your Christmas went smoothly – wishing you all the very best for a happy, healthy New Year! ????x

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 11:06 am

Thank you! I hope you had a good Christmas – best wishes for a blessed 2020! x

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Maja Asgautsen December 29, 2019 - 12:39 pm

Hope your Christmas was lovely

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InvisiblyMe December 29, 2019 - 6:54 pm

Thanks – Hope you had a great Christmas week, Maja ????Have a lovely week ahead and all the best for a happy New Year! x

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Tamara Yancosky December 30, 2019 - 7:03 pm

I adore “bears on chairs” as long as they stay there… ???? lol.

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InvisiblyMe December 31, 2019 - 12:00 pm

Who knows what he gets up to when he gets packed away after Christmas. “When the humans are away, the bears will play…” ????
xx

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Rachel, The Invisible Hypothyroidism January 2, 2020 - 11:37 am

Merry Christmas! You’re wearing that bag well! 😉

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InvisiblyMe January 3, 2020 - 5:21 pm

Thanks, Rachel! I hope you’re keeping as well as possible – fingers crossed it’ll be a good New Year for you & the little-one-to-be!  ♥ xx

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