Hello all! I’ve only posted here once, but I do check in every now and then to get some peripheral support. I’m constantly amazed at how everyone copes with this situation, some good, some bad, but mostly good. It’s a comfort to have a place to check in for a dose of reality and practical tips from fellow Ostomates..
My husband and I just did our first bit of travel after my surgery 14 months ago. So I thought it would be nice to hand in my report.
A well-deserved trip after a long hiatus from real travel. New York to Iceland for three and a half days.
First the mechanics.
Packed a full bean-bag change in my carry on. I didn’t name my stoma, but I do call the appliance the “Bean-Bag” because…. (in the spirit of “there’s no such thing as TMI here”)……. it does feel a bit like a bean-bag when its needing an empty. Also packed a bean-bag change for every day of the trip in my checked luggage.
Breezed through airport security, no pat-down or awkward questions. I do wear a Stealth Belt to keep everything flat and neat under my shirt (see my first post). Five hour flight to Reykavík Iceland. I read about this “ballooning” of the bag on the plane. I didn't experience any of that. The only real challenge was emptying the bean-bag in the extremely cramped quarters of the plane toilet. Day one was a lot of walking. Bean-bag ok! Day two, bus tour with a lot of walking and climbing. Bean-bag ok! Day three the Blue Lagoon. A bit like a large very warm bath, not quite hot tub temp. I always wear barrier extenders along my belt-line to help prevent the bean-bag barrier from curling up. I added an extra crescent shaped barrier to the top for extra security, along with wearing the Stealth Belt. I was a bit nervous being in the lagoon for two plus hours, but... bean-bag ok! On the last day a two hour tour on horseback. Bean-bag ok! Five hour return flight to New York. No problems. Bean-bag ok! Waited and additional day for my weekly change out. No seepage at all, just clean. Not bad!
Iceland.
A really fun trip, first time there for both of us. Reykavík is very walkable and easy to get around. Day one we just explored, nothing planned. Did the Phallic Museum, AKA “The Penis Museum.” A bit of a science exhibit with some Pop Culture thrown in. I would not call it a “Must See”. I used the museum rest room to take care of the bean-bag. The coat hook on the back of the door was amusing, I’d post a pic but it might get tagged as indecent! Day two we did a “Golden Loop” bus tour. Stopped at a number of natural attractions. Volcanic crater, geysers, water falls, and a walk between the North American and European tectonic plates. Day three was lunch at the Blue Lagoon and a full two plus hours IN the lagoon. I was a bit worried about this attraction for obvious reasons. The facility is super nice! Very modern and clean. The locker room areas are excellent, plenty of private changing and showering options. I was a bit brave and didn't use the private area for changing. I guess I’m adjusting well because I just thought, who cares, I’m just going to change here. Lagoon was fun. Like a very warm bath, kept warm by the natural hot springs. Very popular so a bit crowded at one point, but then their bus left. Admission ticket includes a drink at the bar built into the side of the lagoon. Bean-bag behaved well! Back to town for a nice dinner at KOL Restaurant. Excellent food, they have a tasting menu that’s a bit like having tapas. Had a taste of reindeer meat. (I know, poor Rudolf) Excellent cocktail menu too. A bit pricey, but we were warned that eating out in Iceland is very expensive, even compared to Manhattan prices it was expensive. Last day was a two hour horseback tour through the hills west of the city. Beautiful views on an unusually crystal clear day. Very fun, first time ever on a horse. We would call them ponies, but Icelanders prefer horse. After that it was back to New York.
A fun trip, even better because it just felt normal!
