So I went to stay at a mate's house last night. I was absolutely terrified I was going to leak on his bed! Although I took a cover to put over the mattress, it still would have been on his sheets. And this friend is an eccentric, not someone I'm comfortable telling everything even though he's studying medicine at university! But it was fine! No leaks at all :) I was very pleased! I had stayed at my aunt's last week, so I had stayed away with my bag before, but when it's family, it doesn't matter so much if you leak, or at least that's how I feel!
The whole thing has made me feel better about things, I know I have the odd leaks sometimes at home and I hate that! But it's part of the whole thing, I suppose.
Having a positive day today! And I hope all you guys are too! Remember, you can make it through, no matter what happens!!!! :D
Sophie x
Hi Sophie, that's great that you took the confidence to stay at your friend's place. I also use a sheet; well, it's a baby sheet, the ones you use in baby cots. They're fairly big to cover; in fact, I double mine and it does the job in protecting, and it's small enough to pack in a case. I've traveled and took it away with me abroad, and all has been fine. I think you're going the right way taking plunges, as some people having had ileo not for long won't even attempt to try and stay out of their own homes. By doing this, you have broken the barrier, and it gives you more confidence to do more things like holidays and travel. Well done, girl. We all have our leaks sometime in our lives, but the main thing is not to let it get in the way of living and enjoying life. Good luck with the future. tc ambies.
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Angelica- As usual, you've written another interesting post. February 5th, 2019, was my reversal surgery after having an ileo for 6 months. I'm one of those fortunate success stories. Of course, things are different now, and I still have to be careful about what and how much I eat, as I don't have a colon. At first, I was afraid to leave the house. My biggest fear was having to use a public bathroom and have the toilet not flush! Even now, when I know that I'll be in someone else's home, I won't eat anything beforehand. I read other people's stories and sometimes feel guilty for having had it so easy, not to mention that I have a significant other who is 100 percent supportive. I've gotten so much out of this website and truly feel for those of you who have it so much worse than I. But I feel it necessary to let folks hear about the success stories.
As time passes, Sophie, fear of leaking will become less and less of an issue for several reasons. In my situation, I used a good quality hospital chuck as a security blanket. I conditioned myself to sleep on my back or left side only. And I stop eating at a certain hour, which will reduce my output at times when I might be tossing and turning trying to fall asleep. Ambies is right. Make sure you live well and enjoy life. When nothing is ventured, nothing is gained. PB
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
Excellent stuff - I always worry about leaking, though I have become a little bit more thick-skinned. I find that Trio Diamonds are good. If you have not come across them, they are a little sachet you pop in the bag. They absorb and firm things up and have charcoal to reduce odor when emptying. I find that with these, if (ok, when) I get a leak, I notice it before it has gotten onto the sheets. Available on prescription. The only thing I find they don't work with is red wine, which I now avoid or severely limit as it does seem to be good at causing the adhesive to fail.
Thanks for all the comments. I do worry a lot less about leakage now, but it's still in the back of my mind and the first thing I think of when I wake up. Ambies, I'm not sure I'm quite ready for traveling too far yet and haven't stayed away from mine for more than a night. Primeboy, whilst I know stopping eating at a certain time would be useful, I just can't seem to do it! I lost a couple of stone while in hospital, so I need to put the weight back on, and now I feel better I'm enjoying eating! Kevin, I may have to look into the trio diamonds; they seem like a good idea. When I do leak, it varies as to whether it goes on the bed or not, depends on how quick I catch it! Ha ha. And I don't have to worry about red wine because I don't drink it! Sophie x
Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
Sophie, I dated someone a few years back. I had just had my stoma and wasn't really accustomed to it. I had to use the bathroom, emptied my bag, and jumped back into bed. I laid my head on my boyfriend and fell asleep. I suddenly felt him patting me on my back. I looked at him and he pointed at his belly. Gosh, I forgot to attach my bag...lol. Luckily, my stoma wasn't too active, just liquid. I ran out of the room so embarrassed and stayed in the bathroom. I remember yelling, "I'M SO SORRY." I refused to open the door...lol. He was very nice about it; he just kept on calling my name, saying it's okay...I laugh when I recollect; it's really not such a big deal when someone really cares for you. In the beginning, I couldn't tell him about my bag. I found an easier way to share about the stoma. I played the DVD I got from the hospital. It's self-explanatory and it really helps. Good luck, my friends.