If it ain't broke -!

IF IT AIN’T BROKE - -!

Last night was a disaster
because I wanted to master
every tiny little bit
of my stoma and its shit.

For years I’ve never had a leak 
and therefore never had to speak
of incidents and accidents
that used to knock my confidence.

This is because I’ve sorted out
how to control my stoma spout
by DIY experiments,
which solved problems to some extent.

But there are still some niggly things
that managing my stoma brings,
so I find I’m still tweaking stuff
as if I haven’t done enough.

I won’t go into detail now
to tell of what, and where, and how,
but just to say, so you should know
there is one way I would not go.

The gadgets that I’ve made work well
and, as far as I can tell
will work for many years ahead
possibly until I’m dead.

So, I should not try to rework
the devices that clearly work
but do what I quite often do,
which is to start with something new. 

To keep the good stuff in reserve
is a good rule to observe
and there’s a cliché for this shit
‘If it ain’t broke – then don’t fix it!’

                                                B. Withers 2024

As I see it, my belly's broke

And so today I must cloak

With bags and tape and other shit

I am not very fond of it

Reminding myself it could be worse

I do take heed of B Withers' verse

jb

Well, Bill, another saying goes: 'A stitch in time saves nine'. Timely repairs, you know.

You are right if you find something that works well for you then don't try to change it or fix it or try something new. Why put yourself through that?

Hello infinitycastle52777.
It is a very good point you make. My 'problem' is that if there is the slightest niggle or irritation in the minutest of detail in my routine, I tend to want to 'fix' it.
In this instance, the 'problem' was that of output sticking to my stoma and sometimes getting onto the surrounding skin. ( a 'problem' that has been aired on here many times by others).
I have resolved this in my daytime device by developing a conical support for my stoma so that output does not migrate backwards towards the skin.  However, I had not been able to develop the same sort of device for irrigation and night time wear because I need more space for the irrigation pump to put the water in.
Ideally, I would like to be able to insert the conical shape over the stoma as soon as irrigation is complete. I am well on the way to resolving this issue, 'BUT'!
On this occasion I was tinkering with the devices I already use successfully. That was a mistake.  I should have started developing a brand new device so that the successful ones could have been there to fall back on in an emergency.
I am now embarking on some experimentation to invent a practical device to match my imaginative wishful thinking in this regard and I feel sure that it will materialise eventually.
Many times on here I have expressed the view that 3D printing would be very helpful in developing new devices and this is one such example where the (old fashioned) DIY approach is proving to be difficult to achieve the required ends.
Best wishes
Bill

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Yes, there is always room for improvement…no such thing as a perfect 10…

I believe it's called progress…onward and upward, sez the 4'11-1/2” old lady. In terms of height, the only progress for growth is longer hair piled on top…or platform shoes! 😏 Always room for a bit of humor, jb.