Driving

I always have nice cars. I went from a 2022 Dodge Charger to a 2023 Chrysler 300S and now a 2024 Jeep SRT, but I haven't driven since before I got my stoma in April. How long did you guys wait to get back behind the wheel?

🔒 Login to see image

I don't see the problem, unless you're worried about the seatbelt relative to your stoma. There are ways around that, e.g. a stoma guard.

Hello, welcome from Oz 🇦🇺

From memory, the standard for abdominal surgery is 6 weeks.

Vehicle insurance is also a component.

Not sure how to answer as Hubz is a newer member of the club, but something he really likes is this

🔒 Login to see image

seat belt pillow.

It Velcros on the seat belt and stays on when not in use. He was surprised how comfortable he felt in the car with it on. It wasn't something he even felt he needed. I bought it on a whim, really.

And there are lots of colors to complement the interior of your beautiful ride!

After most surgeries, around 6 weeks is the guideline for insurance purposes. After most surgeries I've done, the 6 weeks when I had my biggest surgery and complications, it was over 1 year before I felt well enough and safe to drive. When it comes down to it, you know yourself if you're safe to drive.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi all when i felt i could walk withoutshuffling due to stomach muscle being cut then i drove, about 3wks.

I waited longer than most... probably around 7 months. But it had nothing to do with my ostomy, really. It was recovery from the cancer and the cancer treatments. I started driving as soon as I could safely get myself down the steps in my garage.

I had driven to the hospital emergency room. They hospitalized me for a month. Three days after surgery, I was discharged. My wife picked me up, took me to my car, and I drove home.

I started driving to work three weeks after surgery. At five weeks, I went on a 12-day driving trip to central California. I only wear the cross-body seat belt strap. The lap belt is always connected behind me. Unfortunately, the lap belt goes right over my colostomy.

For me, driving was about a month after I got home from the hospital. But I was in the hospital for over 3 months. I was tied to TPN for most of that one month after the hospital. Otherwise, I may have tried earlier. :-)

Daniel

Indian Princess,

As Sue says - it is different for us all! - A personal decision, coupled with safety and respect for other road users and one's passengers.

However, I would also move to voice the encouragement - for to delay unduly - may not be in one's best interests either.

Perhaps returning to the use of the car for short journeys at first ...... and perhaps sharing longer trips - i.e., having a 'relief' driver to share long stints on the road?

Perhaps driving a different car may also be more suitable - New Lifestyle, change of vehicle - Good luck ...... I feel sure that the time will come when you are moved to make the change and once again enjoy your independence behind the wheel.

Best Wishes to All

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Jayne ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although an independent person who has ALWAYS driven herself whenever possible [thus the default is to drive - out of necessity AND CHOICE - and as a natural extension to my own lifestyle/s] .... I am also a beanie who LUVS driving .... albeit, there are more regular 'breaks' taken during long journeys [willingness to explore new venues / new places] and a 'longer allowance' of time too made to "get there"! [meaning I am mindful of my own default to think through the strength and stamina of a 30-something in everything I do - but am reluctantly also a realist and now allow myself a little more leeway - for stuff takes the time it does!]

Independence is empowering - personally I always feel better once I am able to 'take control' and thus focus upon the task in hand - whatever that task - OR REWARD [driving / getting out / enjoying the journey / change of scene] may be.

Psychologically we can 'allow' ourselves to become enveloped within a pit of 'less ability' ..... It seems to me the trick is always to try for the first and most desirable option - and NOT to settle for second best ...... And also, for those of us who ride for example - it is important to try and get back into the saddle - for to delay will inevitably allow the 'insecurities / concerns to grow - sometimes out of proportion] and limit our potential!

Whether driving oneself to gain help [hospital emergency room / routine follow-ups] or for pleasure ..... it is good to be in control - GOOD LUCK!

Best Wishes to All

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Waves from the hills ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jayne

Is there anything that Amazon doesn't sell?

I read a recent article that Ford Motor has partnered with Amazon to sell its vehicles.

Thanks for including the information!

Yeah, we came home today with a new used car, and Hubz was sure to move that seat belt cushion over so he could enjoy the drive home! We'll snag another so we don't have to move it between cars, though it's not hard to do. 🌻

Seat belt? 🤷‍♂️ Personal choice.

Driving after an ileostomy? Abdominal surgery. 6 weeks. Waves to Axle👋 Total time suck, too😋

Hookers.

"Mopar lil Indian Princess," me thinks. 👍

Thank you so much. I need more of a donut kind of pillow as I have a massive surgery on my rectum and it took half of my ass muscle, and I can't sit properly. I am sitting and leaning on my right hip for now. It sucks, and it's what is really bothering me in life right now. But then again, I am still healing; I am only 2 months post-op. But thank you for the pillow idea.

Thank you. Yes, only time will tell in my situation, as I can barely sit from my massive surgery to remove the cancer in my anus/rectal area. It took a lot out of me, so I am sitting/leaning on my right hip, as it really hurts to sit for 20 to 30 minutes while driving. This means I am still sitting in the back seat. I have to lay down, so I am only 2 months post-op, and my doctor did say 3 months, but I've been a big baby throughout this, and I think it's going to take me a bit longer to get behind the wheel. But I am healing well.

I was back behind the wheel three weeks after surgery. At that time, I was a professional driver pulling double trailers for UPS from north of Chicago to south of Indianapolis and back every night. It sucked, especially in the winter, but it was good money.

I bought a seat belt cover off of Amazon, which works great. I work outside the home, so I had to return to driving as soon as I got clearance from my doctor. You got this!

https://www.amazon.com/D-Cozy-Peritoneal-Protector-Abdominal/dp/B0BQ6TLS29/ref=asc_df_B0BQ6TLS29?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80195818938249&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=85348&hvtargid=pla-4583795283779194&th=1

I waited 48 hours. My buddy took me home from Rochester and dropped off my script at Walgreens. Opioids, so you have to pick it up in person. Rested for a day and fired up my 2-year-old Camry. My "little buddy" is a backseat driver. He squawked and belched the whole way. Like my mother-in-law? Remember to carry a Go Bag! Stoma leaks won't raise your insurance rates.

Hey Princess! I was driving at 5 weeks. Buckle up, grab the wheel, and get back on that horse(power). Hahahaha!

I drive a manual Jeep Wrangler and it was probably 4 months after my emergency ileostomy surgery from bowel perforation that exposed the cancer I also had. However prior to actually having approval to drive I practiced getting in and out of the Jeep every day! And the seatbelt pillows are a must! I don’t want anything slicing or ripping Cousin Eddies head off if something were to happen on the road. I recommend starting out slow because of the abdominal muscles still healing. I drive 125 miles and felt fine but 3 days later I felt like I had been in a wreck!

You reminded me... something I had forgotten. While in rehab they taught me the best way to get in and out of a car.

Turn around and sit your butt on the seat. Then swivel forward and lift your legs into the car. Getting out swivel to face out and put your feet on the ground. Then lift your body weight out of the car.

What most of us do is lift 1 leg and step into the car before planting our butt on the seat. It is faster but much less secure and bad if you have balance issues.

For mist people I think this would be a temporary adaptation until their abdominal muscles heal. I have peripheral neuropathy thanks to chemo and its done a lot to make me more stable getting in and out of a car.