Sat 17th May

Well, that's another week ticked off. Back to work, going to get paid soon. I knew there was a reason I kept turning up.

I'm a bus driver and work shifts, early one week then late the next. My first late week back was a good one once I had worked out how long to eat before I got to work. These are the things that only we understand.

My early week brought about some different issues. The first being, I used to love a nice long hot shower before work, and on the first day, I did this and decided on a bag change at the same time. I find a clean new bag is like clean underwear. Well, off I went to the shower, mmm lovely, all that hot spray and soap, no bag, oh to feel normal again.

Now I've developed a system after the shower. It took a few failed attempts and s--t all over the place. As I get out of the shower, I place a section of kitchen roll (1 sheet does plenty) over the clean but wet stoma and then put my nice new toweling robe tightly around it. This gives me a chance to get a little dry and relaxed and enjoy the feeling of being clean before, well, you know what.

Now back to my early morning prep. I tried this on the first morning, went through the ritual, was on the bed, everything at the ready, and then bang, an eruption, all over, hands, bathrobe, bed. It seems my little friend does not like being changed first thing in the morning when I have time pressure in getting to work, but as they say, you learn by your mistakes.

Now my wife has made some nice elastic pads that cover the seal in the shower so I can stay in the shower as long as I like and open the bottom of the bag and wash so it still feels I'm off to work clean.

Well, I've just looked at the time and now I'm in a rush, just off to shower and then work.

Hi Blueonthetyne, I learned a technique from the Phoenix Magazine. I cover my pouch with a plastic sandwich baggie and tape it to my skin. This way, I can stay in the shower as long as I want without the fear of the wafer melting away. The manufacture of my product claims that this will not happen but I do not want to risk it. Also, I really do not like a damp pouch against my skin. Summertime I am more aware of the pouch than in the winter. I have tried baby powder and it helps some with the moisture.

Hi Blueonthetyne...sounds like you're having fun getting to know your bag. I know this sounds sarcastic, but only another Geordie would understand our sense of humour! I too have an ileostomy, and it took a while to get to know her, but by and by, I get along just fine now. It is good to see another Geordie on here...I was beginning to think I was the only one. I don't know if you are aware of a support group that is going on at QE in Gateshead. It might be useful for you. I am going to my first meeting there on July 5th and will send you the details if you are interested. My husband and family are so supportive, but I think it will be good to meet other ostomates. Good luck with everything, and hopefully, I will talk to you soon.

I have used the shower cap to cover the bag and once out of the shower, use a baby terry cloth bib to hook around between the bag and flange. Make sure it is only terry cloth so it will help absorb the moisture around the flange while you dry everything else off. Of course, the trusty hair dryer can help with the last part. Eating three or four regular-sized marshmallows before a bag change usually helps stop the flow just long enough while going through a complete bag change. I always keep a few folded-up pieces of toilet paper handy in case it gets a little rowdy. I always do my change at the bathroom sink in case of issues. A facecloth laid over the edge helps keep things clean...like a drop cloth...hope some of this helps. It's a learning curve!

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Thank you all for your useful comments. It is still very early days for me and I'm still learning, so I take everything on board. I'm going to try the hair dryer, Vikinga. It's a worry when you do a change that you're going to get everything just right. And LadyHope, I did think of baby powder and am going to keep some on hand. On the whole, things are going okay. Hi Bababoo, I will confess to not being a Geordie, but I do have a phrase book that gets me through the day when driving my bus. I've been here nearly 7 years now, so I'm getting better at the lingo. The best one at work was people getting on the bus asking for "toon" and I thought they were saying "pound," so they were getting cheap fares. It's nice to know others in my area. I met some nice folk when I was in hospital, both the QE and the Freeman. I'll have a look at work shifts for the support group dates. Are you a full member on here?
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Hi blueonthetyne, I guess I can forgive you for not being a true Geordie; an honorary one is fine! I guess I am also not a true Geordie as I live in Gateshead... but it's close enough. I was also in both the QE and Freeman when I had my ileostomy two and a half years ago as I had a terrible time with septicemia and three heart attacks, but thankfully I am fine now with no long-lasting aftereffects. I am not a full member on this site. Hopefully, you will be able to make the support group if your shifts allow. It would be good to meet you there.

Ahh Bababoo, you make it sound so easy: septicaemia and three heart attacks, but I'm fine now. That's serious stuff. Do you use the buses in Gateshead? I work for Go Ahead. I had a bad day yesterday; right from the off, I had my hackles up, but I've been up and out with the dogs early today and feel a lot better about things. I suppose that's the way it is. I try my best but get a bit pissed off telling everybody I'm okay when I'm really not... Oh well, onwards and upwards.

I don't use the buses because I like the comfort of my car...haha. I admire that you have gone back to work so early after your operation, and you sound like you are doing well. It can't be easy when you're driving the bus to make a pit-stop if you know what I mean!! I know what you mean about telling people you're fine when sometimes you really want to scream from the rooftops that you're not and totally pissed off and that life is unfair, but we hold it together for our family, I suppose. It does get easier as you get to know how your ileostomy works, but we all know life will never be the same, will it? But hey, we have to make the most of it and be thankful that we are still here to tell the tale!! And as you say...onwards and upwards is the only way forward. Hope your day is better and you enjoyed your walk with the dogs. What kind of dogs do you have? We have a Patterdale/Staffie cross, and she is lovely, knows when to cheer me up. And it's true what they say...they are your best friend, aren't they?

I don't blame you for using the car; I only get on a bus when they pay me or I'm really desperate. Mind you, it's a good free taxi back from the town sometimes if you make it in time. I was really unsure about work at the beginning. The first question to the stoma nurse in the Freeman was whether I would be able to do my job again. The longest shift is just under 5 hours at any one time. Work has been really good and has offered me stuff that suits, but so far I've managed with a bit of controlled eating, which is not a bad thing. I'm getting more used to eating less and more often rather than death by garbage in the canteen. I wanted to get back when I did as I'm on holiday, and it means I have nearly three weeks under my belt, and when I go back on the 7th of June, I know I'll be okay. It's not hard work, and I like the shifts. We have two labs, Harvey is a big chocolate one, and his wife Hattie is a smaller black pest. They are my world. They get me out and about, and that's a good thing. I'm feeling better today and am determined to enjoy my holiday even though the weather is up to its usual tricks.

Haha, I like your comment about the free taxi home, so long as it's not the night bus. I hear that can be pretty horrendous! It sounds like work has tried to be really helpful, and that can only be a good thing. I am very fortunate that I don't have to work, so it's probably a little easier for me to control things, although I did find the controlled eating a little hard at first, but now I eat just about anything whenever I want... except late at night. I love Labradors; they have the nicest temperament with kids and are such good-natured dogs. I hope you are enjoying your holiday and making the most of the weather and getting to some nice places. Just enjoy the time with your family and relax and rejuvenate yourself, ready for June 7th.

Are you still there, Bababoo? Did you go to the meeting at the QE? I did send a message but I'm not sure if you got it. Hope you are well.

Hi Blueonthetyne...sorry I didn't get your message so please don't think I am ignoring you. Yes I did go to meeting at the QE and thought it was ok. I am fine thanks and I hope you are too. Hope you have been enjoying the sunshine and had some lovely time with your family and nice long walks with your dog.