Hi! Welcome to My Website 🖤
My name is Iiris Linnea. I am a Finnish writer, speaker, artist, hooper and ostomate, passionate about nature and holistic wellbeing.
Currently, I’m in the process of finishing my first book and starting my own business. Meanwhile I also create content on social media where I share my art and life as an ostomate.
I fell ill with ulcerative colitis in 2015, and since 2022 I’ve had a permanent ileostomy. I’ve also been diagnosed with PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, after traumatic events that I experienced in hospital.
With my work I aim to bring hope and empowerment to those who need it. I have been through great physical and mental suffering which, despite being extremely hard, has led me to change the course of my life. I’ve found my own strength, courage and inner peace and that I wish to help my readers and followers find too.
My Story
I was twenty years old and had just started studying in university when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The sudden illness was a shock for me!
Even though I tried different kinds of medications and diets, my condition worsened quickly. When I finally caught salmonella sepsis due to my weakened immune system, the doctors found an operation to be the only safe treatment option for me.
I had surgery to remove my large bowel and create an ileostomy. Later I had two more operations to create a J-pouch (an internal pouch formed of the end of the small intestine) and to reverse my ostomy.
Trials, Trauma, Travel
Falling ill and going through several operations, recoveries and complications was extremely hard at times. Despite my natural optimism, I struggled with mental health and felt anxious, fearful, and even depressed.
I also experienced traumatic events in hospital in the spring 2017. After suffering from symptoms of trauma for over four years, I was finally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, in 2021.
While all my hardships felt overwhelming, the shocking events also helped me to steer toward my own true path. I made a big life change during 2017 – 2018: I started a blog and shared pictures of the art I designed on my stoma bags on social media. I also did public speaking and talked about the ostomy to the media.
Later, I moved out of my flat in the city, gave up most of the things that I owned and travelled to Ireland where I worked as a volunteer on organic farms. I also fulfilled my long-time dream of living in the Finnish Lapland.
Future Goals and a Permanent Ostomy
After Lapland I returned to my childhood home to temporarily live with my parents. I became clear about my future goals such as starting my own business. Already in 2018, I had begun to write poetry and committed to my dream of becoming an author.
In 2021, I came to a point where I couldn’t go forward with my future plans. I had chronic inflammation in my J-pouch and wasn’t healthy enough to work. I decided to have another operation – this time to remove my J-pouch and create a permanent ostomy.
I had surgery to create the ileostomy early in 2022. Afterwards, I needed to have another operation to fix the stoma but eventually, I was able to return home to recover.
The New Beginning
Looking back to the years that were dominated by serious illness, I feel proud to see how far I’ve come. My ileostomy and I are feeling well and healthy. I’ve been persistent in building up my strength and taking a good care of myself. During the past year I’ve even given hooping performances and worked as a circus teacher!
I’ve finished writing my first book which is an empowering poetry book. It’s aimed at people who have experienced illness and mental health issues, and want to follow their own path in life. Slowly but surely I’m also improving my economis. My goal is to start my own business to do writing, art and public speaking as my main source of income one day.
Thank you for reading my story. <3 Please check out my social media if you’d like to support my work and connect with me. 🙂 Should you have any questions or feedback, you can also contact me via the contact form on my website.
With love,
Iiris Linnea
Meet me on social media!
YouTube: @iirislinnea
Facebook: @iirislinnea
Instagram: @iirislinnealight
Note: I am not a certified health care professional of any kind. On this website I only share my personal story and experiences.
Profile picture: Riina Peuhu / Me Naiset
Some of the interviews with me:
Me Naiset: https://www.is.fi/menaiset/hyva-fiilis/art-2000010237514.html
Ilta-Sanomat: https://www.is.fi/hyvaolo/art-2000010112684.html
Ilta-Lehti: https://www.iltalehti.fi/keho/a/ca887e8a-679c-4ef8-aa56-a04a0f5ffbb0
YleX: https://areena.yle.fi/podcastit/1-4333558
Aamulehti: https://www.aamulehti.fi/kotimaa/art-2000007262990.html