Looking for a Reusable Rubber Wafer

Replies
7
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5749
Jazx
Nov 26, 2011 12:24 am

Is there a wafer for something out there that I can buy two and just switch every week? I tried to look up the history of wafers to see how people did it 30-50 years ago.



Thanks!
tess45
Nov 26, 2011 3:27 pm

Not sure what you are referring to - what kind of wafer and what are you using it for?

Jazx
Nov 26, 2011 3:49 pm
Hi Tess,

I have an ileostomy and a few years ago, I met a man who uses a rubber wafer and he has two of them. He switches every week the wafer for 50 years. Since I pay for all of my supplies, I am looking into alternative, less disposable methods.

Thanks,
Posted by: iMacG5

About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike

Past Member
Nov 26, 2011 3:50 pm

There used to be rubber flanges, thinks that's the same as wafers, but I don't know if they're still in use. You could ask your health provider or ring some supply reps up. Good luck. Ambies.

Bumba
Nov 29, 2011 2:21 am

50 years ago, I used plastic wafers from Torbot Company in Rhode Island. I had a few, at least two at a time, and switched off when I needed to change.

 

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister

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Jazx
Dec 14, 2011 4:16 am
Hi Bumba,

Why did you stop using them? How long did they last?

Thanks.
Jazx
Dec 14, 2011 4:24 am
Hi Ambies,

I asked my healthcare provider, but they don't know. I have an ET that I hope to ask soon. She was a nurse with my mother. She is about 85 now but still practicing nursing with ostomy.

I wanted to ask - how is the Crohn's treating you? I have my ups and downs due to food. The bag is still a huge source of embarrassment for me. I'm going to ask for information from members in a different post.

Thanks,
Past Member
Dec 14, 2011 10:34 pm

Hi Jaz, fortunately my Crohn's seems okay but I keep having blockages. I'm having tests done to see if my Crohn's is active or not, but I still have ups and downs. I hope you get more responses from others if you can about rubber wafers. I do know there are some people who still use them. I see a stoma nurse once a month, I will ask her if she has any information on how to obtain one. I will post on here as soon as I have any news for you... Tc, good luck... Ambies.