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| Posted By: Jacq Posted On: Apr 30, 2011 Views: 3330 | smell I just got my ostomy. I can't stand the smell when I open my pouch. I've tried the drops but it has not helped. Someone just told me about putting a aspirin in the pouch to deoderize the smell. Has anyone tried that? |
| Posted By: Sandra Brandenburg Posted On: Jan 9, 2008 Views: 5435 | Ostemy Bags. Hello How is everyone, I am scheduled on the 17th of January to have a colonoscapy, and at that time my Doctor will be trying to stuff a balloon through my ileum to enlarge it, it has narrowed so much it is almost closed all the way. In 200 I had all but ten inches of my colon removed due to adheasions and obstructions and scar tissus from previous surgeries. The Doctor says if the balloon does not work, and he does not seem to have much hope about that, they will have to cut above my ileum, and remove all of that section of my small intestines, plus the remainder of my colon and put me on an ostemy bag. This of course has me scared, but it would be nice to be pain free, and not have to live on laxatives, that don't really work that well. My big question is can someone tell me the good, and bad part about having to wear an ostemy bag. Thank you. Sandy Brandenburg. |
| Posted By: Al Posted On: Jun 25, 2006 Views: 6228 | ostomy concern I recently had an ostomy. I am having a problem with the collection bag leaking. It seems that I have to change it, sometimes 4 times a day, because it leaks around the exterior of the wafer. Has any one had this problem? and if so, is there a way to correct this problem? Any help will be appreciated. |
| Posted By: Ed Radz Posted On: Mar 15, 2006 Views: 5772 | great site meetanostomate site is great--its nice to know there are other young adults in thesame situation as myself--just found this sie yesterday and am looking and waiting to chat with others with what life dishes out to you but you just have to learn to accept and live with it |
| Posted By: Phil Posted On: Feb 14, 2006 Views: 4705 | Dating for people with Ostomy - www.MeetAnOstoMate Hi guys. If you haven't done so yet, you can check this site - www.MeetAnOstoMate.com Great place to find other people with ostomy and to start a relationship. Phil |
| Posted By: deb Posted On: Jul 10, 2005 Views: 4540 | is this nuts? I enjoy excellent health benefits thorugh my husbands helth coberage So I use really nice low profile new image hollister bags. My worry is one day we will not have this coverage. Sooo. I take 5 bags and one flange from every box and put them away for retirement. 15yrs away. He thinks it is dishonest and nutty. But I dread having to use hospital type bags one day. Even if I only use the things for special occasions anyone else ever heard of such a thing or am i a little ...odd |
| Posted By: deb Posted On: Jul 10, 2005 Views: 4458 | jumped in the deep end I got my colostomy as a result of rectal cancer 2 1/2 yrs ago. Of course I was so freaked out about having to get a colostomy it was weeks after the cancer teatment and then surgery that It even twigged that "Hey I had cancer too" But about 2wks afyer I got home and learned to handle changing bags my whole flange came off in bed- about 2 in the morning, 2 feet of snow and the nurse 3 towns away. I called her and could hear how groggy she was and decided to just do it. I let her talk me through it, on my knees in fromt of the coffe table whispering into the phone cuz I was too embarrased to wake up my hubby. It was constipation that had pushed off my flange, so i did not need to worry about amy leaking. Well 20 mnutes later, exhausted(my perineal wound was pretty open still cuz of previous radiation so I was pretty weak still) I cleaned up all the evidence and went to bed soooo proud. My first flange change. I could hardly wait to tell my day nurse. I have been on my own ever since and am now considering irrigation. |
| Posted By: HARRIET Posted On: Dec 27, 2004 Views: 4635 | MENTAL ATTITUDE HAVING HAD MY WONDERFUL ILEOSTOMY FOR 44 YEARS, I KNOW THAT THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT STARTS IN ONE'S HEAD. LEARNING THE DIFFERENCE IN ACCEPTANCE AND ADJUSTMENT IS COMPLEX BUT POSSIBLE. A POSITITVE ATTITUDE AND A KEEN SENSE OF HUMOR MAKES LIFE AS AN OSTMATE POSSIBLE. AT 77 YEARS NOW, I STILL AM GRATEFUL THAT THE SURGERY WAS DONE BACK IN THE DARK AGES OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT. TODAY MEDICATIONS WOULD PROBABLY HAVE MANAGED THE DISEASE WITHOUT SURGERY. IN 1960, THE EQUIPMENT WAS AWKWARD, HEAVY RUBBER WITH SKIN IRRITATING GLUE. NOW WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF APPLIANCE TYPES AND CAN FIND THE ONE THAT IS BEST. MY LIFE HAS BEEN NORMAL, BUSY, AND FILLED WITH PROFESSIONAL WORK, TRAVEL, AND COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE. |
| Posted By: Bob Hammel Posted On: Nov 15, 2004 Views: 4591 | Ostomy Mangagement I am 65, always very active, and had colostomy in Sep 02 and hip replacement in Mar 03. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer but it was caught early with no spread and after chemo/radiation/surgery/more chemo, 6 month checkups have been outstanding. Permanent ostomy is a challenge and I agree with post of Bill Embick on Oct 14. I use Convatec wafer and pouch with Colomajic flushable bags. I never cleaned a pouch and never will. Learned basic care in hospital from nurses but this was only sketchy. Had home care nurse who also works at state prison with convicts and she was aces ! Still learning but have a long way to go in life. I play golf three times a week at minimum and have never had problems with anything coming loose. I am and have always been big, nearly 6 feet tall and 260 lbs, but always very active. I am almost over the hip replacement as far as bending, etc., started walking 18 holes on my long course about 3 months ago and have thought of trying irrigation which I read about on Shaz's site. I wear loose clothing but never have to or will wear a tie and tucked in shirt again ! My clients don't mind and I certainly don't. |
| Posted By: Cheryl Posted On: Nov 15, 2004 Views: 4597 | How to help others... To Debra and others who want to help other Ostomates (especially new ones). I just came back from the Eastern Regional UOA Conference. There I went through training with a great group of people to become a UOA Visitor. If you are interested in helping other (so they don't have to go through some of the trial & error or emotional or support issues) that so many of us have gone through, this is a GREAT way to offer a small amount of your time and to make a BIG difference to someone. I encourage you to look into this. Debra, you said you were looking for a way to help other Ostomates....this could be it!!! Have a great day! |
| Posted By: Barbara Posted On: Oct 30, 2004 Views: 4610 | Colostomy - Best advise I received. I got my colostomy for Christmas 12-22-'03 due to rectal cancer (this year, I think I'll ask Santa for the coal, instead). At 56, I out lived all family members with the same diagnosis. Assura is my two-piece provider of choice but there is no freedom like irrigation! It took a bit of fumbling at the beginning but now, no sweat! And, for 30 minutes of "stuff", I am free from any output for 48 hours. Drives folks crazy that I tuck my blouse in and no one knows where that "bag" is. Got good advice from stoma nurse but shaz's discription and directions were the best. Second best tip I ever got was to put a few drops of baby oil inside the pouch at the contact point of the stoma. Keeps the output from stacking and solids can be actually emptied for a quick fix, getting more wear from the pouches. If this is the worst thing that ever happens to me, I count myself VERY blessed. |
| Posted By: Debra Posted On: Oct 28, 2004 Views: 4568 | Ileostomy managment Like so many of you, I had my ileostomy surgery (April 2004) as a last-ditch effort after many years of sickness and not being able to find a doctor to diagnose me properly. There was a time when I believed that having "the bag" was the absolute worst thing to ever happen. However, through a lot of time, prayer, support and picking myself up off the floor (a lot!)from the fetal position while crying because I was too very busy feeling sorry for myself - I now know better! They claim I'm a reversal candidate, but ya know - I just don't think I want to go back; I know I'm not ready. This ileostomy has given me a quality of life I wouldn't otherwise know. With that said - I learned about "management" from my ET nurse, whom I saw about three times, two of which were when I was highly medicated and didn't even know what was going on around me. Once released from the hospital after a lengthy stay, I've spoken to her on the phone once. I've had to show myself the ropes and work through it on my own as many of you have (most customer support reps for products can be beneficial resources). Right now I'm wanting to find ways to help other ostomates. It's enough coping with a physical recovery, but add in the emotional and the maintenance of products and yea - it can get overwhelming fast! So - if any of you would like to stay in touch, drop me a line. |
| Posted By: Mike Roddy Posted On: Oct 27, 2004 Views: 4695 | Colostomy & Being a Paraplegic I would love to talk to anyone who is living with a colostomy and using a wheelchair. I have some problems I would like some info. Thanks, Mike Roddy Rohoman1@aol.com |
| Posted By: Raymond Posted On: Oct 26, 2004 Views: 4574 | Colostomy I've had my Ostomy just a year. I was told it could be reversible but I'm reluctant to do it since the doctors don't know what caused my problem in the first place. I got a rectal abcess and the only way they knew to have it heal was to give me Colostomy. Since I was sick for nearly 3 years previous I feel better and am living life to the fullest. A nurse showed me how to do it at the hospital but I didn't really pay attention until I got over my own self pity. I took control of my situation and for the most part everything is going well. I use a 2 piece disposable bag system but was always self conscience of diposing of the bags. Like everyone else I was suggested to use a zip-lock bag. I instead use tan coloured Glad lunch bags with tie-able handles. Because you can't see through them they can be diposed of much easier. My biggest help to deal with my Colostomy was from a nurse whose husband had one. She said it brought her and her husband closer together because now he was out of pain.My best piece of advice to any new user is "Realize that it's your life and forget how YOU PERCEIVE others may feel". You get past that and the sky's the limit. |
| Posted By: coral Posted On: Oct 21, 2004 Views: 4585 | hope Debbie, My husband has an ileostomy--has had since he was 27. I'm hoping he'll have time to write. I just want to say that I empathize with your confusion and distress and know that your situation will get better with more support, more time, and more living experience. I think what you're feeling is perfectly appropriate and justified, you're not a cry baby. You're just feeling natural human feelings. Let them be without judgment. They will resolve for the most part and will guide you to make the changes that will make your life easier to deal with. Joan My E-mail address: mtidwell@tri-county.main.nc.us |
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