Nice crisp day, light wind blowing south. Oiled the chain, pumped up the tires, then put Stoma Cherry Bomb on the road.
First stop... the channel.
Ducks relaxing.
I'm taking an educated guess: Double-crested Cormorant. Another one was in the water diving for fish.
Tough ride going north against the headwind. Nice cruising home, going south.
A certain feline was hiding in my room.
Moon shot fro ...

I had noticed a bulge around my stoma with my stoma in the middle of it. It doesn't hurt, and when I lay down, it goes away and is flat (no bulge). I went to my surgeon today to ask about it. He looked at it and said, "Yep, it's a hernia." I told him I've not lifted anything at all to get it. He said it happens and seemed unconcerned. He smiled and said, "You'll be fine. When we do your colost ...

Hi, I have been lurking here for a bit but am trying to be more brave and reach out. I’ve been having a very difficult time living life with an ileostomy. I am hoping maybe I can find people here to talk to and ask questions that can relate with all this.

Look forward to hopefully chatting soon!

Hello my friends, who provide me with support, prayers, and smiles.
I had my stoma revision and have been going day by day on the road to recovery, and... I had indigestion; it was horrible. I started throwing up bile (YUCK), white, yellow, sheesh green.
I called my home healthcare nurse, she called my surgeon, he called me; Ms. Seward, please come to the ER at your convenience.
I went at 6 PM ...

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I've had my ileostomy for about a year now. For the most part, I've gotten used to it, but I'm extremely anxious about getting into a pool. I'd love any tips or advice on how I can go about securing my bag or just really what to expect. Thanks in advance.

Always do this for myself.
Especially since some people change frequently and assume "oh a day ago." I replaced it.
A Sharpie, magic marker with the date and time helps me.
And don't write so others can read it. To them, it's upside down. Write on the bag before installing it so you can read it...if someone asks about it? Make light of it...tell them the little guy is taking notes or writing a ...

Hi everyone:
As some of you know, I had emergency surgery due to Cdiff in September. At first, I thought I had no large colon left. Then I thought I had just enough for a reconnection as I was told by one of the doctors before I left the hospital. Then I found out through a flex sig that I have 18 cm plus. I told them to stop because I was in pain, but I was happy to hear that I have that ...

Hi, just a quick question. Since my ostomy (20 months ago) I have travelled from the UK to Germany and Spain but have only stayed in family houses. It looks as if I'll have the chance to go to Egypt in the new year. I know what to take etc but was wondering if anyone in the forum has been to Egypt recently? I'm worried about the disposal of my pouches. I use 2 a day. I'll be staying in hotels ...

Hi all,
I am new to this discussion group. I am a little over a year with an ileostomy now—very happy to be here and asking this question!
Has anyone tried swimming in an indoor heated pool? Would you recommend it or stay away? Also, if you do recommend it, what precautions should I take to make sure there is no leakage? I appreciate any advice you have.
Thank you,
Susan

Hello, hope you are all okay?
I have had my ileostomy for a few years and it is relatively well-behaved during the day. However, I have noticed it makes quite a bit of noise at night as it releases gas, etc. First of all, does anyone else experience this and if so, what tips would you suggest to help with this?

We often hear or read stuff about people’s appearance while wearing an ostomy appliance. We certainly emphasize physical beauty today and, to some, being an ostomate eliminates dating possibilities and, sometimes, professional advancement. Sometimes we get comforting suggestions from caring folks telling us things like “Nobody can see it”, “it doesn’t change who you are”, “Nobody ...

Hi all,
For those of you that use convex pouches and have a flat stoma, do you use a barrier ring? I've used them for years but am wondering if it makes things worse if you have a flat stoma. The rings are flat CeraRings by Hollister. I do rinse with each empty, and I tend to empty quite often due to the pancaking making things feel yucky around the stoma area.

Hi All
I've had quite a week! I went for a checkup on Monday with my consultant, and after some scans and tests, he sent me for a colonoscopy yesterday. The result was really good, and now my reversal is set for next Monday.
I'm both excited and nervous. I wasn't expecting it to be so early, as I'll be just 10 weeks post-op.
What I'd like to know is if anyone has had a reversal this early and ...

It was hard for me to bring this up worrying about people being judgemental but it's a much needed topic for ostomates in this position and I will never see anyone here outside the forum anyhow.

Found out I had Hep c in the mid 90's and suspect I got it from my ex husband who actually had a liver transplant.

Anyhow I was always afraid of the horror stories of how rough the meds were to ...

Just want to share that I use an item which has made ostomy pouch maintenance a breeze. The product is flushable ostomy pouch liners. Not suitable for septic tanks. The liner is inserted into the pouch from the top. When a change is required, simply pull the liner out at the top of the pouch and throw it into the toilet. No fuss, no muss. Full instructions for use come with the package.

Ho ho ho! What do you know?
Last month, severe weeping and blood around the stoma. The appliance would not stick at all. A good majority of members offered advice and offered me products they had on hand to send me. How cool is that, huh
So kind, strangers reaching out. I don't think of them as strangers. Maybe extended family is a better fit.
I had opened the thread topic in November, similar ...

I got to thinking that there are leaks and then there are LEAKS. So I developed a staging guide. (Anyone else think I might have too much time on my hands?)

Stage 0: Output is pancaking but you catch it before it compromises the device seal

Stage 1: Leak is contained under the flange. You catch it before the skin becomes irritated.

Stage 2: Leak is contained under flange extender. The s ...

Hello everyone. I just started using a new pouch lubricant called “It’s in the Bag” from revel. It has helped to reduce the “pancaking” I have problems with by quite a bit, although not entirely. It is extremely effective in getting my output down to the bottom of the pouch and the output slides out quickly and easily when I empty. The website address is: revelostomy.com. You ca ...

I've been single for 2 years, since my boyfriend left early in my journey with bladder cancer. I have stage 4 currently managed by immunotherapy, but every 3 months I hold my breath while the PET scan is read. It is an aggressive variant and generally the prognosis is poor. I feel I'm living on borrowed time but want to enjoy as much as I can.
I have a urostomy bag and the upper portion of my ...

This is the type of ostomy bag I have. It's a one-piece Hollister bag. I have been trying to find some really good waterproof shower bags that are easy to put on and take off and don't get your bag wet. Any help would be greatly appreciated, including where I can get them, the website, and all. Showering can be a lot easier for me because I was told I can't get this particular bag wet. While t ...