Adjusting to Life with a Colostomy: Work and Daily Challenges

Hello all, and thanks for taking the time to answer.
I just got a colostomy around January 12th, 2009. I've been trying to find answers about lifting and all the fun stuff that goes with a bag. I have read and watched many videos, none of which have given any details about their work habits that have changed or what they had to do to adapt themselves. All the stomas I have seen are on the lower part of the tummy; mine is in the middle and to the right, above where my belly button used to be. The doctor put it in another scar that is a ditch. Since this has created a problem for my bending, laying in bed, and a big fear of rolling over and having a big explosion of shit to wake up to, and all the normal stuff they say I should be able to do, I blow out a lot. I can say the neatest thing I got to learn was from one video: dumping the bag and putting toilet paper down so you don't get splashback. That was neat. Oh, and yes, the dreaded fart while you are out eating in a restaurant. I would like to hear about all different jobs. I work for Roto Rooter, to top things off, dealing with other people's shit. The smallest machine I have to pick up is 100 lbs, up to 300 for the big machine to clean out sewer lines.
Well, I don't want to bore you all too fast.
Talk soon.

Well, I would ask my doctor about lifting anything over 50 lbs. Approximately 50% of ostomates develop hernias without the heavy lifting, so you are asking for trouble.
Can you transfer to the office or something similar? Good luck.

🔒 Login to see image
Yes, I agree with hero. I am female and was told not to lift over 16 kg. I am a volunteer at our association. You don't want to get a hernia. I have seen so many really shitty things. Imagine a basketball on your belly, trying to stick a pouch on that. Take care. Mooza
🔒 Login to see image
  
🔒 Login to see image
  from Australia
🔒 Login to see image

thank you two for taking time to answer my question
🔒 Login to see image

Yes, ask your doctor.

For a reference, I have an ileostomy and am a mechanic. I have no problems doing my job. I also go to the gym on a regular basis and lift 500 pounds on the leg press and 250 on the incline bench press. I remember one of the hardest things at the beginning was just getting over the fear of not knowing what was going to happen whenever I did something. Even though I had done it before, there was always the fear of "what will happen". That, is the one thing that will hold you back.

After you start getting into a routine and get over the initial fear or unsureness (made a new word!), you will get back into your normal life.

As for things like gas noise. Most people would never put that together with an ostomy in a million years. Most people automatically think that you are just hungry and your stomach is making noise. It took me a while to realize that. So now if my stoma makes noise, I just rub my belly and say "sorry, I'm hungry"
🔒 Login to see image

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister

Thank you, Elize
I have often come across the awful noise of gas in the colostomy bag, especially when in a restaurant or in church. I often feel I need to explain to people that it is because I wear a colostomy appliance. Thanks to you, I would never have thought of rubbing my tummy and saying I'm hungry, lol. That has just put a smile on my face.

You know, Precious, the funny thing is I remember the first time it happened, and I did that out of pure instinct. I was in a bank (really quiet place) and stood up to meet the bank manager. She had to be about 26 years old. As I reached my hand out, my stoma decided this was the ideal time to speak up, so I instinctively rubbed my stomach and said, "Sorry, I must be hungry."

In that split second before, so much went through my mind, like "She has no idea I have an ostomy," "She would never figure it out if she doesn't have one herself," and "It does sound like normal stomach noise."

We, or at least I, are a bit self-conscious about our ostomies. The truth is that unless you have one, or you're a colorectal surgeon, you would never even think "ostomy." Think about it, before you had one, had you ever thought about them?

Also, since we are on the subject, I'll lump leakage in with it. If you get leakage, I don't think anyone is going to automatically think that you have a leaking ostomy. The instantaneous thought would be, at least to me, that something in your pocket broke or that you spilled something on yourself. At least as long as you don't hang around!

I would say that out of all the people I deal with who have ostomies, these two issues, along with "how will I take care of it if I go out," are the biggest fears that keep them in their homes and not out being social. I do admit, sometimes that happens to me too. Heck, I haven't been to a Bruins game since my ileostomy, and I even passed up tickets for the other night's game. I guess I still have a way to go on my journey too!

Paul

Speaking about being self-conscious... My boss was sitting in my office discussing something when my stomach started grumbling. I said something about how I would be glad when lunchtime rolled around, but as I looked at her, I thought, "Oh, I bet she thinks it is my stoma." She didn't say anything and went on as if nothing had happened. I felt a little embarrassed as if I had actually passed gas in her presence. She is very nice, but she didn't stick around long in my office. LOL!