Advice Needed for First Holiday with Toddler

Hi. I'm new here, and since having Bruce (28 months), I have not dared to book a holiday. Please could I have some advice/tips?

Thank you

Hi Kurt, that's over two years with Bruce. Can you explain what's holding you back? If it's leaks you're afraid of, that could happen at home. Flying? There are bathrooms on the plane and M9 drops for odor control. We were all concerned at first but felt more in control after our first successful trip.

Hi. Probably more confidence. But I do have a prolapse, so it's not easy to just change it. I get leaks (I've only had 2 since having Bruce), touch wood.

But yeah, just holidaying with a stoma in general, I suppose.

My advice/tip… you went through the surgery, the healing, and whatever else to get yourself better; it's time to live.

Don't let having a stoma define who you are. All of us here can walk you through whatever is preventing you from moving forward. You've got this. 👍👍👍

How to Adjust to Life with an Ostomy with Bruce | Hollister

Just do it.

Pack extra supplies, at least 2x what you think you'll need. If traveling by air, carry on plenty in case your luggage goes missing.

Bring incontinence pads for the bed. You probably won't need them, but they provide great peace of mind. I have washable ones I got off Amazon, but you could get disposable ones too.

Then forget your stoma and enjoy yourself.

Put half your supplies in your luggage and half in your carry-on; that way, if you get separated from your luggage, you will still be okay.

"Feel the fear and do it anyway!"

Apart from the fact that you live in the UK (one of my favorite overseas destinations), I'm envious because Europe is on your doorstep; cheap flights to most countries are less than a couple of hours of air time away, or get aboard the Eurostar and off you go!

I'm re-posting the thread below because it covers a similar topic with heaps of good answers, and I'm also the "past member" on there who told another anxious would-be traveler to feel the fear (that and I wanted to show off some of my previous holiday snaps!)

Bon voyage! 😎🗺️⁀જ✈︎✈️🚂✈️ 🧳🚉 🌍 👣⁀જ✈︎ 🗺️⁀જ✈︎

https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=33550

G-Day Kurt,

If you haven't had many leaks, then your fear is just having a stoma.

When you go out, I would bet that no one knows you have a stoma, not like it's showing if you wear loose clothing. Most people only know about mine because I told them.

Wear your stoma as a badge of honor; like all of us, it probably saved your life.

Regards, Iggie

Thank you, everyone; your words of encouragement mean a lot! I'm going to try and wear it like a badge of honor. I'll be sure to post a picture. 😁

Just remember, Kurt - on that plane, you will be the freshest smelling person because all odors stay in the bag until you open it in the bathroom (but the odor drops will take care of that. Not sure if you can get M9 where you are, but there must be a good substitute.)

Welcome, Kurt. You have been given a new lease on life. Hopefully, you will soon realize, like so many of us, there is more freedom now.

Hi Kurt, no reason to hold back as all the others have said!

What sort of holiday are you thinking? UK, Europe, further? I'm in the North East and regularly camp in Scotland, ski in Europe, and in recent years have traveled a few times to the USA, Egypt, and Cyprus. I've only had a stoma for 20 years, and my son is now 31, but I've been traveling with him since he was 4 months old. His first flight overseas was to Morocco at 6 months. I have a lifelong disability and am a full-time wheelchair user with bladder and bowel problems since birth. Trust me... it is doable!

I'm lucky though; my son's first student job was loading people with disabilities onto the aircraft. He now works as an aviation engineer, and last year he and his fiancée flew out to the USA as 'helpers' for a team of British veterans competing in the USA.

Don't try too hard to hide any issues from your child - they will grow up knowing that all of our differences are 'normal' and that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Take them and explore the world with them... the wider your horizons, the further they can explore and grow.

Hi Kurt

I'm in Ireland and had my stoma in May 23, colonostomy, traveled to Austria in June 24 for a 2-week holiday with my wife and son. The airport security was my biggest fear, but I sent an email before traveling to inform the airline of the products I would be carrying on board. I also had an information card (in various languages) from the hospital, which I presented at security. I really had no problem. Also, I bought a rash vest to swim in and found I gained more confidence as the days went on, so I could sunbathe and said, "F them all, I am comfortable in myself."

My tips.

Carry on all your products

Pack more than you need

Inform airlines

Carry an information card

Be yourself, look after your mindset

Go live and enjoy the break, you need it more than anyone.

I now have an ileostomy (waiting on final surgery) and am traveling to Italy in June. Different animal this, so I am bringing more products

Andrew

Ireland