I was going through old paperwork today when I found an old first aid certificate from a course I did at work. This got me thinking, as you do, as to why I can't ever remember covering stomas or ostomy. I know this is a bit of a strange one, but why do you think this is? I have my own opinion that it's a taboo subject that only ostomates can understand, but sometimes I can be a tad paranoid.
blueonthetyne
Apr 26, 2015 4:51 pm
ChrisP
May 01, 2015 10:16 am
Interesting point. I guess the proportion of ostomates in the population is so small, and the number of ostomy-related incidents requiring first aid so small even within that tiny population, that it would be seen as too specialized to cover in what is at best a general course. In my own experience, even health professionals (nurses, ambulance people) in the UK regard an ostomy as 'specialist' (or do they mean 'yucky'? lol) and have little idea of how to deal with one. This is much less true here in France, where I've found nurses much more confident about stomas, maybe because stoma specialist nurses are only found in big cities.
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I began my Urostomy life February 27th, 2023...a month and a half ago. I stumbled upon this site from another on Youtube and website called VeganOstomy and between that site and this one, most of my fear and worry of not having any answers other than calling the Dr's office recording menu and hoping to hear back in the next day or two for an answer to leaks, skin irritations etc, or just feeling alone and the "no one understands" thoughts I had to look forward to in my mind were all put to rest by these two websites and the community here at MaO!! I have been here for a few weeks now, and the help and support offered by the members here is just amazing!! The information and support is absolutely priceless for anyone recently out of their surgery and have tons of questions or had it for years...sit down...have a good read and you will see for yourself!!
countryatheart
Jul 17, 2015 1:48 am
My experience with the health professionals here in Chicago, Illinois, is that I don't think they train even nurses about ostomies! If you don't have a GI specialist, then they look at you like you have an alien growing on you! When I was in the hospital for heart surgery, they didn't know how to change the bag, and it took them hours to find me a replacement bag! I couldn't believe it! I was in a hospital! They need to train nurses better!
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ron in mich
Jul 17, 2015 1:57 pm
Hi all, I was in for my annual checkup and the nurse was setting up for a digital exam of the prostate, and I said, "Don't bother, I had an ileo with total proctocolectomy," and he said, "But the doctor would still need to do the digital exam," and I said, "Impossible, as my butt has been removed and sewed shut," and he looked totally dumbfounded.
countryatheart
Jul 17, 2015 8:25 pm
I just don't understand it! They have the chart right in front of them, and they still ask dumb questions. I guess you gotta laugh!
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