Hello everyone;
I am living in Ohio at 71 years young, and I have had a colostomy for over 12 years.
I guess I should have found this site sooner because I have learned so much here that I learned on my own, due to such a limited budget and no medical insurance one is left to fend for oneself in the medical arena.
About the problem with swimming and showering; I made a cover for the wafer and pouch from a #1 ‘Rubbermaid' bowl. It is secured with an adjustable fabric belt from a carry-all bag or purse you can find that has a clasp on each end (Wal-Mart, $3.00) and the length that fits your midsection. I made a stainless steel (I was a welder for way too many years.) ring around the bowl from .030” welding wire with a smaller ½” hoop on either side for the clasps. > oOo < If the pouch is emptied and rolled up, it fits in the bowl, and then snap the clasp on each end to the smaller loops securing it to the body. A small twist of the bowl and all the hair is moved out of the way to secure a seal.
With a long ‘T' shirt on, no one knows I wear a pouch at the pool, and my shower time is as long as I wish.
For intimate times with my lady, I have made a sort-of ‘Cummerbund'. She and I are in the process of developing a design that will be easier than stepping into or putting this one over my head to put it on. I will see how this will work with Velcro for more adjustability than the elastic. Hopefully, this will also double for a trip to the pool with the bowl on the inside and maybe a colorful pattern on the outside. We will see how this idea works as time and money allow.
Only we who have been close to not having life really respect the value of it every day.
Good morning, everyone. I was wondering if all who wear this are emptying it as instructed by opening the pouch over the commode? JW
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This December will be my 10th anniversary of a colostomy. I am 82 years old and will never get used to the bag.
Learn about the common issues and symptoms that warrant a call for assistance.
Hey CY,
Just another way of going to the potty. Sometimes it is difficult to remember the date, just what had to be done. What is that old saying about being able to change what we can and accepting what we can't? Most people I have met with a pouch ignore it until it is in need of servicing.
If you are alive, go with that.
Works for me. (And a lot of other folks.)
JW