M9 spray and drops. Spray for the room and drops for the bag. No smell, no problem.
xnine
Sep 16, 2025 12:17 pm
Fdschles
Sep 16, 2025 10:33 pm
Your MIL sounds like a beaut. My mom always told me to 'consider the source' whenever anyone said things that I found disturbing. Sound advice that I continue to live by. Go enjoy the family gathering and don't let an ignorant woman spoil your time!
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Posted by: Nini4
Well, I hit the two year mark. I went back and read my posts from when I first found this site. I was very fortunate in that I stumbled upon it only 4 weeks post op. I have said many times that this community really saved me. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I shut down completely. It wasn't until about the 3rd week that my son came in to my room, flicked on the light and told me I was going to have to get back to living because I was scaring him. I had fallen into such a depression. He ticked me off, but it also made me stop and think- what was I going to do? Feel sorry for myself and sulk, or be grateful I was alive.
I've re-read my journals from that time and it was after my son kicked my butt, so to speak, I took an honest inventory and had to dig deeper than I've ever had to. I mean, I had survived a pretty nasty divorce, after a pretty crappy marriage and that was tough. But this was different. I felt like I was now a handicapped person who would be limited in their life and be looked at as a freak. My mental state was precarious, at best.
But then I found this site. I just lurked a bit before posting. I read so many of the other stories and I started to see just how full my life can be, I was not handicapped, and certainly not a freak! The stories of survival, the sense of humor, the support and compassion was inspiring. It was then I made myself get out of the dark, and get my sh*t together.
Not all rainbows and sunshine at first, hardly! But with grace from myself - to myself, and the kindness and willingness of the folks here to be supportive, non judgemental and openly share intimate details about their life circumstances, l not only survived but thrived.
I think of all the years I had suffered with such extreme pain, barely functioning, and the many hospital stays and how that is all behind me now. (All fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I never have to go near a hospital for myself ever again. I think I'd rather have a fork stuck in my eye. I loathe every about them.)
So, to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, to say thank you is not enough. I'm forever grateful to know you all. My Angels, each one of you.
And as the Grateful Dead famously said,
"what a long strange trip it's been!"
Im so happy I'm tripping with you all.
k9rulz
Sep 18, 2025 4:59 am
I agree with Susan on this point. Everybody poops, so you're no different than everyone else, except you get to do it nicely into a bag 🤣 💩🚽. Bring some small baggies like they give you in your ostomy box if you need to change out your bag so you can dispose of it, tie it off, and not stink up the bathroom. Otherwise, everything else is emptied into the toilet like everyone else does, and you flush it. 🤷🏽 It seems like a MIL problem, not a you problem, to me? Also, it's rude how she treated you like that, in my opinion. You have enough sh*t going on (pun intended) that it's pretty insensitive of her to do that to you, given what you're going through.
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Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
Jane doe
Sep 18, 2025 9:17 pm
You are right, Ben! Mine hardly has an odor unless I eat onions or a few other things. I forgot how bad normal poo does smell! Until my husband goes!!!! 😅
Sep 18, 2025 11:13 pm
This is my exact thought process. Shame on her as you navigate this that she brings this up to you. Rude.
You don't smell. She needs to do research.
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1965changedlife!!
Sep 21, 2025 1:56 am
Hi there! I read your concern about your family reunion and your MIL. I've had an ostomy since 1965, and I have some simple tips. 1. The day before, don't eat any foods that have a foul odor: onion, provolone cheese, fish, anything that might be smelly. 2. When I empty, I flush as soon as the pouch is empty. 3. After I clean the pouch, I use the M9 deodorant every time I empty. I've tried others, but M9 seems to work best for me. 4. Buy the small, inexpensive bottle of perfume from Walmart; they are $3.99 here. It is the only thing that seems to cover the smell of the pouch. 5. The most important info: enjoy life, don't live around the ostomy; it's part of you, just live. It will be okay.