Great news! I don't need a revision. My skin is a mess under my bag because the bag is not fitting me the way it should. It seems the stoma has taken on a new shape, oval, and the opening needs to be cut larger. She put me on a new appliance, prescribed an anti-fungal powder to be used when I change, and no-sting skin prep. Two layers each before the bag. I'm getting used to the bag and feeling more secure every day. Waiting for my supplies to come in the mail. It will be a welcome change. I'm very happy.
Peaches
peaches
Aug 26, 2011 12:02 pm
cee
Aug 26, 2011 2:17 pm
Wonderful! I have been having similar problems. When I measured my stoma, it was smaller...one inch down to 7/8ths. I called Convatec to see if they made a smaller flange. The first thing the woman said on the phone was, "Perhaps you need the stoma moved." Huh? She did give me a good tip. Cut a piece out of the Eakins ring so it looks like the letter C and form a smaller ring. That has helped a lot. And the sample should be here today. Great to be free of that pain!
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Posted by: iMacG5
About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike
MrsO
Aug 26, 2011 4:36 pm
Hi Peaches, just read your story and am very pleased to hear you are getting on well. I wish you the best of luck with your new appliance. Mrs O xx
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Greenville
Aug 27, 2011 1:27 am
Hi Peaches. I am fairly new to this site. I use a Hollister product that has the floating flange; it has been fantastic for me. They say less is best. I use a combated skin barrier that goes on like a wipe; it protects the skin. Then I place stoma adhesive powder around it. I also change my appliance every 2 days and use Alkcare adhesive remover on my skin after removing it. I have had a couple of issues, but I feel like mine are due to the heat. For me, the pouch has been soft to my skin, and the flange works great. No cutting, fairly new product. Hope this helps. I am on my 5th month now and have been undergoing adjuvant therapy. I was stage II. I have an ileostomy but finally had to get everything removed in March. It has been a rough road, but it could be worse. I am thankful.
Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister
