Rosie Does Europe

Replies
7
Views
1288
### Topic Explanation:
The forum topic "Rosie Does Europe" is initiated by a user named Rosiesmom, who shares her experiences traveling through Europe with her stoma, Rosie. She discusses the challenges and successes of managing her stoma while adjusting to international flights, different foods, and time changes. This is their most significant adventure since the stoma was created in 2014, and Rosiesmom expresses pride and optimism about living a normal life post-cancer and colostomy. The discussion serves as an inspiration and support platform for fellow ostomates considering or undertaking travel.

### Advice and Insights from Replies:
1. **Travel Timing and Diet Management:**
- Manage your eating and drinking carefully while traveling to avoid complications.
- Opt for longer layovers at airports to manage your stoma more comfortably.

2. **Travel Companions and Solo Travel:**
- Traveling solo is feasible and can be empowering, as shared by a user from Australia who is inspired by Rosiesmom's story and looks forward to traveling alone when health permits.

3. **Handling Travel Equipment and Challenges:**
- Traveling with additional medical equipment like a CPAP machine can be daunting due to the extra luggage, highlighting the need for planning regarding what to carry.

4. **Cultural Experiences and Encounters:**
- Engage with local cultures and experiences, as illustrated by Rosiesmom's enjoyment of Ireland's landscapes and the warmth of the people.

5. **Diet Before Travel:**
- Keeping a bland and minimal diet before flights or long journeys can help manage the stoma effectively.

6. **Security and Awareness at Airports:**
- There is a need for better training of security staff at airports to understand and appropriately handle the needs of travelers with ostomies, as negative experiences can significantly impact the travel experience.

7. **Sharing Experiences and Support:**
- Continuously sharing travel experiences can provide courage and support to other ostomates, encouraging them to undertake their own travels and enjoy life post-ostomy.
Rosiesmom
Jun 14, 2015 11:05 am

Hi everyone, Rosiesmom here. Rosie (my stoma) and I are currently in England. We just spent 12 days in Scotland. She is being a real trooper, adjusting to international flights, different foods, time changes, the whole shebang. This is our biggest challenge since we became a team in 2014. I am so proud of both of us; it makes me know that there is a normal life after cancer and colostomy. Yeah us! My fervent prayer is that my fellow ostomates are as fortunate.

ron in mich
Jun 14, 2015 2:38 pm

Hi, I found traveling with my ileo had more to do with timing and not overindulging in eating or drinking, with longer layovers at airports being better. My wife and I are thinking about a trip to the UK as both of us have ancestors from there.

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Bill
Jun 17, 2015 5:21 am
Hello Rosiesmom. Thanks for the update on your trip. I'm always interested in how fellow ostomates get on when travelling. My problems when travelling are only partly to do with the stoma stuff. I suffer with sleep apnoea and have to have a CPAP machine. With this and the stoma equipment, I feel the amount of luggage that I would now have to lug around is a little too daunting. If you are in England and would like somewhere to bed down for the night you would be most welcome at our place. If you send me a 'message' I will be able to reply with my details. Best wishes Bill
Rosiesmom
Jun 17, 2015 11:57 am
Bill thank you for your kind offer, however we are just about to leave England. Next stop Ireland. I wish you could find a way to streamline all your equipment so that you could travel. I will keep hoping you can.
junoz
Jun 17, 2015 1:56 pm

Hello from Australia, Rosiesmom. I wanted to say thank you for your post. Our situations are very similar, except that I have not progressed anywhere near to where you are yet, 6 months down the track post-surgery. You are a couple of years older than I am, though, and you are indeed an inspiration, and that is what I need at the moment! As I don't have anyone to travel with, I would like to do some solo traveling when I feel healthy and active enough to do so. It would be lovely to hear of some of your adventures.

 

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Rosiesmom
Jun 18, 2015 6:23 am

Hi, well Rosie and I are off to Ireland on Sunday. So far we are doing well; of course, Rosie's baritone voice has inserted itself into a couple of occasions, lol. I just tell folk she is female and must let herself be known. Hey, what else can you say? It is what it is. Let's see if she picks up an accent on this trip. Will check back soon. God bless, rosiesmom

LadyHope
Jun 19, 2015 2:07 am

Thank you so much for sharing your courage, strength, and hope. My family is from England and my very good friend lives in Scotland. I've been to both countries pre-ostomy several times and loved it. I am beginning to gather up the courage to travel there once again. Keep us posted on your travels. It sounds like you and Rosie are having a ball. Enjoy the delicious hot tea, crumpets, clotted cream, and jam... one of my favorite afternoon snacks. Take care. LH

Rosiesmom
Jun 28, 2015 4:59 pm

Hi everyone! Well, Rosie and I returned stateside last night after a grueling 24 hours. Pooped (no pun intended) but glad to be home. My Rosie was a real trooper. I always keep my diet bland and minimal before flights or long car journeys, and it really helps. Ireland was our last leg, OMG it is amazing! I never thought anywhere could match my beautiful Scotland, but Donegal gave it a run for the money. Our cottage overlooked the Atlantic; the warmth of the people is genuine. Went to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin. Magnificent. My daughter-in-law now wants to move to Scotland, England, and Ireland, lol. I read Tricia's account of her recent foray into traveling and was appalled at the treatment she received at customs security. Ignorance of our situation is no excuse. We need better training for security staff. Rosie and I were fortunate to deal with knowledgeable staff. Good to be home, love to all.