Play and Have fun even if you have a stoma

When life comes at you fast and believe me if you have a stoma at some point it has, then you need to learn to live.  I mean take the time to be happy and work on your body to be able to do the things that you love.  I am not a big fan of living a life around being alone and especially when you have a stoma you should make sure you are happy and safe.  The lonely feelings after surgery go far beyond having a stoma, but sometimes when you have a physical lifelong change you can feel isolated.  Being able to have amazing gear and being able to be connected with people has allowed me to live a great life even with my stoma.

Well, let us just into how this is really done and done well.  I think that the best thing is to learn what makes you happy and go about it.  Personally, I am an outdoor person and it is part of my life.  The thrill of seeing new things or simply being out in the wilderness is what gives me joy and it is even better when I can share those experiences with others.  After my surgery, I was very afraid that I would never be able to do so again.  Without a doubt, my stoma gave me a lot of fear and I was afraid it would change my life for the worse.

But I researched and found people who were doing incredible things with their stoma. The coolest person I found was a professional cycler.  This guy had many national medals and then had to get an ostomy.  I thought his career was over, but instead, he decided to stay at it.  He even trained super hard to finish an iron man competition later on.  He finished an iron man in less than a dozen hours and it was incredible to see him do it.  The wild story of him being able to do something that most humans only dream of doing was inspiring.  My confidence took a huge boost.

This guy did incredible things with not the best gear either.   He didn't get a million dollars in super ostomy gear instead he did it like a minimalist.  That was the coolest part.  It led me on my journey to learn about connecting with others in the plan to find the best gear for me. 

Hopping online and getting into the web was the best thing for me.  At first, I only made comments, but through those, I found people had the same questions I did and ended up connecting and personal messaging a lot of people who were willing to help.  Now I am able to let people know what works for me in order to give them ideas on things to try.  That to me is the important part of ostomy gear and that is knowing that no all gear works for everyone.  It is important to be able to branch out and try things on your own.  We are all different so find what works best for you. Because in the end, you are what matter and your body is not the same as any one elses. So be wise and have fun. 

Playing Basketball with a stoma Guard

There are memories in my past that bring great joy.  I know in my past that the smell of sweat, wood, and pain brought joy to my life.  I know the sound of shoes gripping a freshly waxed wooden floor like the back of my hand.  That is because I am from the midwest and basketball has been apart of my life since I was born.  We are given balls to play with as kids and baby basketball hoops as soon as we can walk.  It is a part of life to learn the game of basketball and to try to make it professionally. 

Let me be real, there is not way that I am a professional and I knew as soon as I got an ostomy I never would be.  The thought of losing my favorite sport and activity in the world kinda broke me when I heard the news.  The life-saving surgery didn't matter to me, only the thoughts of what I would lose came to mind.  But I want to tell you there is hope and that your dreams won't be crushed by having a stoma.  No, I am not a professional basketball player, because I am not that good, but I am still able to play basketball with my friends and family.  It is a great thing to do and with a good stoma guard, I am able to do it with no issues. 

Don't be afraid, of contact.  Having good gear can protect you and keep your body safe.  I never take someone's fears and laugh at them.  I understand them because I have been afraid of losing my favorite parts of life too.  The idea of having an ostomy bag to carry around for life made me so angry when I was younger that I hated life.  That is pretty normal because looks and perception are reality.   But being a bit older and experiencing a whole lot more of life and I can firmly say that my life didn't change when I got my stoma.  My life allows me to be super active outside and I love that.

There is no doubt that good gear is the answer to being able to live a great and active life.  I am a big fan of testing things out and testing them hard before putting them on the court.  So I started my searching journey by asking my ostomy nurse and doctors all I could.  I learned as much as they did on the topic and they suggest I talk to pharmacists too because these guys know their stuff. 

I learned about ostomy guards from the pharmacist and that change my life. The pharmacist on my first visit was elated and helped me out and gave me lots of ideas on what to do when and where.  I went back a few years later and thanked him for being so kind to me and patient.  It was really a cool moment and he gave me hope even though I didn't know it at the time or appreciate it.  So that was a great starting point.  I then ended up talking with big companies and learning what options and cool gear were out there. What type of ostomy bags were the size and style I needed.  It was a cool thing to do and it helped me live happily. 

Parastomal Hernia: Things To Know

Parastomal hernia is a condition that can occur in people with stomas. A stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdomen to allow the removal of intestinal wastes, bypassing the lower intestinal tract. A patient is a candidate for stoma surgery if he is unable to have normal bowel movements due to an underlying bowel health condition.

According to a survey, about 78% of people with stomas develop parastomal hernias. This complication occurs within two years of surgery.

Symptoms of parastomal hernia

Parastomal hernias develop and grow gradually but consistently. You may notice the following conditions as the hernia develops.

• Discomfort and pain around your stoma
• Bulging around the stoma
• Trouble keeping the ostomy pouch in place

Reasons for parastomal hernia

Having a stoma could mean a weakness in your abdominal muscles. This muscle-weakening allows the formation of this hernia. Factors that can contribute to the formation of parastomal hernia may include the following.

• Smoking
• Malnutrition
• Chronic constipation
• Chronic coughing
• Infection after stoma surgery
• Obesity

People who get these hernias

Some people are generally at a higher risk of developing a parastomal hernia. Common risk factors in this regard may include the following.

• Obesity
• Older age
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Respiratory issues
• High blood pressure

Repairing parastomal hernia

In many cases, this problem is treatable through lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and losing weight. Wearing an ostomy belt can also contribute to the reduction of the symptoms.

In some cases, parastomal hernias can be severe enough to need surgical intervention. Surgical options in this regard may include the following.

• Closing the stoma: If you have a parastomal hernia, your surgeon will see if you are fit enough to undergo stoma reversal surgery. He will check if your bowel has recovered enough to perform after the bowel reconnection. It is, by far, the best option to treat a parastomal hernia.
• Repairing the hernia: During this procedure, the surgeon opens the abdominal wall over the hernia and secures the weakened muscle by stitching it.
• Relocating the stoma: In some cases, the surgeon may find it more appropriate to close a stoma site and create a new stoma at a new site on the abdomen.
• Mesh: Another very common treatment for a parastomal hernia is the use of mesh inserts. While this option can be more expensive, it is more comfortable than other forms of parastomal hernia treatments. The surgeon generally places this mesh under the abdominal wall. It then incorporates into the surrounding tissues, creating a strong barrier that keeps the bowel from pushing through the abdominal muscles.

Complications

Parastomal hernias can result in a lot of complications. For instance, it can cause the intestine to become twisted or trapped in the hernia. It can result in intestinal blockage. It can also cause the loss of blood supply. The twisting of the bowel often results in its strangulation, which becomes a medical emergency. Surgical intervention may be required to untwist this troubled part of the bowel.

Living with a parastomal hernia

A parastomal hernia is not always painful. You may not even require any medical intervention if you manage it properly. You can discuss with your nurse the types of products and supplies needed to facilitate stoma care when there is a parastomal hernia.

Tracheostomy Stoma Care

Tracheostomy is a life-saving procedure, which results in an opening or stoma in the neck to allow the placement of a tube in the patient’s windpipe. Aside from the ability of this diversion to help a patient get back to a healthier lifestyle, it can also result in some complications. It is crucial to take care of the skin around the stoma to prevent irritation, infection, and odor. For this purpose, you will need to clean the stoma and the skin around it at least twice a week. It will help clear the buildup of mucus and rubbing of the tracheostomy tube.

Equipment that you will require for the cleaning procedure may include:

• Facecloth
• Cotton-tipped applicators
• Normal saline
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Telfa or sof-wik 2x2 dressing

The procedure of cleaning involves the following steps.

• First and foremost, clean your hands by washing them thoroughly.
• If there is any dressing around the stoma, remove it. You will not need to remove the tubing, though.
• Dip the cotton-tip applicators in the peroxide solution and start cleaning the stoma and the skin around it. You can use saline if peroxide is too irritating. You will need to start close to the tracheostomy tube and then work away from it.
• Repeat the process above until the debris and mucus are cleared.
• To dry the skin around the stoma, use a facecloth or cotton tip applicator.
• Unless your treating physician recommends, avoid putting gauze under the trach tube. If there are areas of skin irritation or secretions, you can consider placing a dry dressing. You can discuss with your physician how to apply the dressing.

Daily care

The skin around the stoma can develop irritation due to rubbing of the trach tube or secretions. If you want to prevent infection and skin breakdown under the tracheostomy site, you will need to stick to a daily care routine. Make sure to practice daily care steps at least once a day. Patients with new tracheostomies or ones on ventilators may need to trach care more often during the day. Tracheostomy dressing can be quite beneficial if there is excess drainage from the tracheostomy site. This dressing also reduces the rubbing of the tube on the skin.

Equipment required for daily care may include the following.

• Cotton tipped applicators
• Trach gauze
• Sterile water
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Sterile cups
• Trach ties and scissors
• Towel roll or small blanket

Here is the procedure involved in the daily care.

• Start by washing your hands.
• The patient should lie back in a comfortable position. The body should be covered in the blanket or towel roll, extending the neck to allow easier visualization.
• Open the tip applicators, trach gauze, and regular gauze.
• Cut trach ties in lengths that seem appropriate.
• Pour sterile water in a cup and hydrogen peroxide in the other.
• Clean the skin around the stoma using tipped applicators. Perform the cleaning using a rolling motion to avoid rubbing. You may need to change the swabs. Make sure that o liquid gets into the trach tube or stoma under the tube.
• Rinse the area using a water-soaked cotton-tipped applicator.
• Pat the skin dry.

Teacher with ostomy

As a school teacher with an ostomy bag, my work is not difficult. I know a handful of people who work in a field that is tough for them because of their ostomy bag. I do not tell my students about my procedure because that is personal, plus I don’t think they need to know. I have had a few students that have had ostomy bags like me; I could tell from looking at them. I’m not saying that is a bad thing; I just feel bad for them. I remember what it was like as a young kid learning that my life was going to be changed, and I would have to carry around a bag of my waste everywhere I go. Having this ostomy bag does help in my field from time to time. 

When I was in sixth grade, I had to get an ostomy procedure, colostomy, to be more specific. It was very scary being told that my body has something wrong with it, and to fix it, they are going to put a new hole for waste to leave the body. I developed IBS as I entered the sixth grade. At first, I did not know what was going on, but with a lot of explaining, I slowly understood. Getting the procedure was very scary as I have never had anything worse than a cold. This was going to change my life; that’s all I knew. 

I never thought I would be a school teacher, let alone a person for those children to confide in about their ostomy, but here we are. I have told the guidance counselors that if any child is to come down there regarding their ostomy bag, they can come to me to talk. I am glad that I can help these children feel accepted and wanted. So many kids nowadays are nasty to one another for no reason. I’m so happy I did not grow up at such a time. Sure, I had to deal with bullies from time to time, but most of the time, other people would step in; I don’t see that anymore, and it breaks my heart. 

Being a teacher with an ostomy has a few advantages. One is that when it comes to grading papers, I do not need to take a break unless it is for a brain break. Also, when I am in class, I don’t need to worry about going to the bathroom unless I need to empty my pouch. I am also an outlet for children with an ostomy to come and talk to. I do this job mainly because I can help children not only in their education but in their lives as well. Sometimes talking to your parent can be challenging, so I’m glad I can be here for the kids. 

As a teacher with an ostomy, I don’t have tremendous pressure on my pouch, causing me pain every day like some people I know; I think I’m rather fortunate. As the years have gone by I, have met a few kids in our school who also have an ostomy, so I’m glad I can be here for them and relate to them about something. Being a teacher is rewarding, knowing that I am helping these kids in their education and everyday lives. 

Stoma, Guards, and Hiking

When Spring is around the corner my heart starts to sour.  It means I am going to be able to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors after being locked away for months.   I love this time of year more than any because it is the best time to be active outside.  When you have a stoma and carry around ostomy gear, it is not super fun to hike covered in sweat.  I am not the biggest fan of being super sweaty at any point in time, but add on some ostomy gear and you know that the extra sweat and weight are just not that fun. So spring is the perfect time to get outside and have fun on the trails.  Now getting ready for this time of year may be different if this is the first time you have done it with a stoma. 

Gear is pretty key and getting a good ostomy guard can keep you safe in any situation. Now, this can be the right ostomy bag, but I think a backpack is also important.  For me, I like to do really long day hikes instead of backpacking.  That is because on an average backpacking trip I usually do about ten to fifteen miles.  This is usually around a few days to do.  But I also found out that if I simply carry a very small backpack that fits water, food, and clothes for a day that I can hike that amount of miles in one day.  That leaves the other 2 days of exploring new territory.  That is a concept I learned from my brother in law and we were able to explore national parks many times what normal people do.  

If you have a stoma you may need a slightly larger backpack.  That is because I like to take emergency gear along with me.  When hiking mountains or just woods you can slip, fall and puncture yourself or your gear.  When you have an ostomy bag that can be a gross and frustrating experience.  So be prepared for the worst.  I don't go overboard, but know that If something happens I have extra gear and cleaning supplies.

Hit up an REI or a nice backpacking store and get your body fit to a good one. I like to use medium size backpack that is super comfortable for my body.  I use a chest strap to help divert the weight a little from my shoulders.  But if you are able to with your stoma then getting a hip belt can be really useful.  That is not necessary though, transferring weight to your hips is more important for backpacking and not just a day hike.  So if you cant use a waist belt that is ok.  Get a backpack that has comfortable shoulder straps are important. 

Now just protect your stuff and make sure it is dummy and rainproof.  I like to waterproof my ostomy spare gear.  This can be done super lightweight which is also important to me.  I like to use double zip lock bags.  They are great at waterproofing gear that I don't want to get wet and it is super lightweight.  That is a double win in my book.  Not get out and find a great time for yourself.