Author: Russell McCann

I know that when I first got out of surgery for my ostomy I was afraid.  I think most people fear their own body at that point and I think that is normal.  We are in pain and afraid to harm ourselves.  Sometimes I am seeing that some people hop out of their ostomy surgery and feel that they have no reason to even make those goals anymore.  Even though everyone is told that their life can pretty much stay the same many people just don’t believe it. Sometimes the hardship and change in their life just shut them down and for some reason, they feel like they shouldn’t be making these huge goals or plan on doing something really active.  It hurts me to see people give up life because they think their own stoma is holding them back.  It makes me sad and that is why I write!

Now, I didn’t get back to normal life right after my surgery. Heck no, I was just afraid and scared as the last guy, but I worked hard to overcome. There was a moment of absolute fear that hit me and I really thought my favorite things to do like the hike in the mountains and hunt in the mountains would simply stop.  But after doing some research I found out that there are so many people do incredible and nearly inhuman feet with a stoma.  That turned my frown and fear right upside down and I decided to change my entire toon. Gear is so incredibly good now.  I know that you may not think so, but you can go outside and be wild in the great outdoors and still be safe with your stoma!

I wanted to hike and play in the woods so bad after my surgery. I planned a huge setup in the Grand Tetons and I wanted to make sure that I could climb all the trails and hikes that looked amazing.  This put me on the path of finding the best ostomy gear that could help me with this next goal.  I knew that I was going to have to train really hard in the gym and at my own local parks and that I may need to find some better gear to allow me to do this.  Use who you know and find out all the information you have.

If you have a local pharmacist then go talk to them.  Learn what they know and talk to your doctor too.  They gave me some great advice but admitted that the altitude and different aspects of long-distance hiking might be worth researching with the makers of the products.  That was a great idea and they gave me some manufactures to get in touch with to help me in my own journey to find the answers to my big goals.  It took me a while to start calling ostomy companies, but I found that they made their gear for specific reasons, and the customer service people really knew their stuff or their engineers did!  I learned a lot about the science behind some products and got some samples to try.  The fact was that I was given more information than my questions covered and that was huge. Don’t give up but fight on and learn what you don’t know that will allow you to live! 

What is a stoma?

A stoma is a surgical vent in the belly of a person who is suffering from any kind of digestive tract diseases. This hole allows feces and urine to excrete through the intestine or urinary canals. A stoma is the result of ostomy surgery. Many people who undergo this operation have confusion and questions before. Well, this is quite natural to get upset about the surgical treatment or have queries about this. Well, to have a comfortable journey, every patient has a right to know and understand all about the procedure, after effects, and care. Well, many of you assume that this is the treatment that will not allow you to live a normal life afterward. But, this is totally a false statement. This is the best surgery you can have to get rid of the chronic or minor disease in your intestines, bladder, or urinary tract.

The stoma is a new minor part of your body. You need to welcome it with an open heart. Well, this is a blessing that is leading your life normal. Living with a painful disease or throbbing days are tough. Everyone wants to get rid of pains and restless nights. Thus, there is a treatment to cure your digestive problems, called an ostomy. Sometimes, a person feels that they won’t be able to enjoy the rest of their life with the opening. However, this is just fear and myth. The operation will upgrade and ease your lifestyle. And you can follow your normal life again.

Types of Stoma

The stoma has been performed for three primary reasons.

When you have a disease or infection in the colon or large intestine, then the colostomy treats the dysfunction. Well, the stoma that appears as a result of colostomy is usually on the left side of the belly button. Sometimes it is in the middle and regular cases, it intrudes at the lower left side.

Another stoma appears as the result of ileostomy. This is the surgery that happens when a person has a problem in the small intestine or ileum problems. Sometimes, this leads to a permanent stoma. However, there is another thing, called J-Pouch. In this procedure, surgeons create a J, S, W shaped pouch in the ileum of the patient. This is a reversible process. The person excretes the liquid form of feces in this artificial pouch. This collects the waste and then excretes it through the stoma. Once the patient gets rid of the actual disease, then doctors remove the j-pouch and attach the ileum to the colon. Moreover, when it comes to the appearance and location of the ileostomy stoma, usually it comes on the right side of the abdomen.

The third primary kind of stoma is Urostomy. This home appears on the upper right side of the abdomen. This is the result of the treatment of urinary and kidney problems. Many people have a blockage in their urinary tracts. Thus, they need an inorganic path to release the liquid waste out of the body. Moreover, some people have kidney puss or urinary cancer. In such cases, a person needs a competing surgery that can treat the disease and give a new passage as well.

Appearance of Stoma

The stoma is a round or oval shape opening. Well, it can slightly change its appearance with time. Another factor that can alter the looks of the stoma is the bodyweight of the patient. Well, this is not a painful hole. Once you are discharged and get better, then this will not be going to give you any ache or problem.

If it is releasing blood, causing irritation, and pain, then you are not having a healthy stoma. These are some signs of abnormality. Thus, in such a case you need your doctor’s help.

There are amazing things in this world and seeing nature the way it was meant to be is one of them.  I truly enjoy going out into the wild and seeing our planet in its natural form.  Take away all the people and you are left with a beauty that is incredible.  Now the leaves are green, but slowly turning in my area into a nice brown. On the inside, my heart begins to sing and that is because it’s camping time.  Slowly my body feels the need to adventure and is in the great outdoors.  It is the longing to be free and to explore the unknown and even though my heart tells me this is the right answer, I look down and see my stoma and wonder.  I wonder what people will think about seeing a man change or empty his ostomy bag in the woods. Will they judge me? I wonder what my hiking partners that day will think.  My mind raced on the topic of safety and will I be able to overcome any obstacles or emergencies in the great outdoors and if that will hinder me from enjoying what I love to do.  The answer to all of these worries is complicated, and yet very simple. NO! If what your heart longs for is still possible, then you should make it happen and I mean it.  This is the mind frame that I put myself into every fall.  I do not let my stoma or the extra ostomy gear get in the way of what makes my heart sing.  This is something that I try to pass along to others who have shied away from outdoor activities with a stoma and I try to give hope to those who have just had the surgery because they are in fear and have possibly been told a lot of lies by their reletives. I have seen it before. 

Now learn all you can and that is important.  Just because my medical provider says it is ok for me to go and do these things.  He is the one who told me about the stoma bearer who ran an Iron Man Competition and finished.  This was a moment that solidified the ability to still live and have a normal life in my mind.  The fact is that the majority of people who have a stoma live normal lives.  The adventure and go out and embrace the outdoors.  Some activities are obviously inside and they are fit and rock the gym almost every single day. The best part is that your life does not end and that in reality people only admire you more for your accomplishments in the physical realm. It is a fun time too.

Now let me be clear, I did not learn it all on my own though.  Most of the ideas came from talking to representatives of major companies and learning about my own disability.  It was really easy, I called them up and they were happy to talk me through athletes that they have worked with and gave me advice based on their experiences.  It was great, I even got samples of the gear they suggested I try before I buy and I like that part

Just work with what works for you.  I tried it all and some companies ostomy bag with belt loops and an elastic belt worked great. Instead of just going on a hike I went on a walk and mini-hike around my neighborhood.  Then I started to jog and simulate going up hills. Get out and enjoy life. 

In 2021 we have lived through our local state governments supporting terrorists who are destroying cities.  We saw it happen and not a single governor is in prison for it.  We saw billions in damage and murders take place and no one even flinched because it was all done by Black Lives Matter.  The group is filled with criminals and terrorists and now they are roaming free.  What this means is that things can get bad now in any city because our government actually wants this to happen so they can gain more control.  In 2021 most states are under totalitarian rule. 

One man is making laws and no court is shutting them down.  I am in no way insinuating that you should be rioting or joining any protest that has any intention of not following the Federal and State laws.  I live with a stoma and that means when things go south I have to be more prepaired.  What I am getting at goes much further beyond that simple act of criminal activity. I am talking about the fact that your regular ostomy gear may no longer be able to be delivered to your location if rioting occurs. This is a real fact now and in many cities we have been subjected to criminal activity for days or weeks and the local governments refuse to step in and let the police do their jobs.  Truth hurts, and the United States is no longer what it used to be.  The governments are actually insinuating violence and crime.  This means one has a major problem in the politics of the United States and Two this could absolutely affect your ability to get medical supplies on a regular basis.  So let’s go over a few things that may help deal with this now a very real possibility. I just want you to be aware that the news is not showing what it is like to live in the United States and if you have a stoma, be ready.

The truth is since this has already happened it’s time to prepare for round 3 or 6 depending on where you live.  This is because local stores were burned to the ground and thousands of criminals were roaming the streets in the guise of peaceful protesters committing acts of violence. Governors are firing police chiefs for doing their job, it left all the good lawful citizens with no protection and none coming for days and in some cases weeks. There are still parts of the United States that are now abdicating from all laws and are run by local mobs.  This means that zero supplies are being delivered and no stores are open.  It’s not funny and it’s not a joke anymore.  

Know your own need.  You need to have enough stoma caps, bags, seels, on hand to survive for at least a week, and if you are really safe up to three months of time.  make sure to rotate your gear as you store it up. Now I do not suggest everyone go out and buy three months’ supply at once. This would actually hurt the market and maybe even cause some people to not be able to get their gear at all. But slowly start building up that supply over time, but start now.  It is no longer a laughing matter, be prepared and stay safe.

When you have a stoma, you become conscious and vigilant. Many ostomates think that if they lead an old routine, then their stoma and internal organs will get hurt. Well, the stoma is meant to give you the comfort of life. It is not something that will restrain you from living normal and happy days. The only necessary thing is to take care of your entire body and health. It is the same thing as you need to look after your gums, teeth, hands, stomach, liver, and other organs. Some signs could be daunting. We will discuss the threatening symptoms below. Thus, you will know about them and call the doctor.

However, when there is a question on the lifestyle and routine, then there is no limit. An ostomate can do whatever he/she wishes for. You can walk, run, jog, swim, cook, play, gym, and any other physical and mental activity. Many people give up their passion and hobbies after having a stoma. This is not the way you should live. The vital element is to take care of your new organ. If your stoma is not bleeding, it does not have rashes, it is not irritating, and then you have a normal opening.

The paramount thing is the care of your stoma. Many ostomates cannot safeguard their opening because of the appliances. People still do not know what the appropriate dressing for their kind of stoma is. Some people wear loose bags. Some do not have high-quality adhesive. Even some patients still do not about the entire kit of the ostomy. Such things create problems and you cannot live a normal life.

When you get stoma, doctors and nurses guide you regarding each and everything. In the hospital, you can ask for extra details you do not know or do not understand. This is the opportunity to learn about the ostomy appliances, their procedure of wearing, care methods, diet plan, medications, and warning symptoms. So, you can learn and everything in the clinic. When a patient does not wear the appropriate size or quality of the stoma pouching system, then it causes several problems. No doubts, a stoma can deteriorate and cause infection due to internal incisions. But, most problematic cases appear that say the inappropriate appliances are the reason. So, first, understand the shape of your stoma, then wear a pouch according to that. Moreover, some people are allergic to certain products. Thus, always buy the best quality adhesives and all other items. Skin is one of the most sensitive portions. And when it has an opening, then you need to pay extra care to it.

Well, when it comes to daily activities and personal routine, a person is allowed to do everything. No one is bound to stay at home. If you were working in an office, you can go back once your stoma gets to heal. Having an opening does not mean that you cannot go back to the office. But, if you have long working hours, then you should have a complete kit along with you. If you have gone through the Urostomy, then you will need to change your pouching system after every one hour. So, you better know your situation and make the entire ostomy bag accordingly. In the case of colostomy, an ostomate must change the pouching system twice a day. Thus, you do not need to remove the colostomy bag in the office. Once in the morning and once when you get back home is enough. But, the ileostomy is different. You will need to change it multiple times. As it discharges liquid feces; thus, you must have a complete kit. Moreover, it depends on the diet you take. If you are taking too much watery substance, then the excretion would be more than four to five times a day.