Any competitive swimmers out there? I just started a swim class to build endurance and ability to compete in triathlons. I have had my osteomyelitis for 28 years and just got back in the pool in 2016. Big step for me. Any advice? My biggest scare is changing in a locker room. Not quite ready to bear it all.
I do trail races (2 marathons) with no issues but the swimming scares me.
Hi Runner,
Congrats on getting back in the water and your goals. I'm not a swimmer but I wanted to say hello and wish you the best of luck with your goal!
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Hi Crossley. Ya know, I think it’s all about feelings. I don’t mean the pain feelings which could control everything. I mean the feelings inside our heads, our hearts and even our souls. I mean the feelings of who we are now compared to who we were; how we accept our situation or maybe we don’t. My wife asked how I felt and I said, “like crap”. She asked what hurt and I answered, “Nothing hurts, well, everything hurts, I don’t know, It all sucks.” That was a long time ago. You question if your feelings are normal. How normal is it to relocate your butt hole to your belly where it’s usually in the way of your belt and, you know. But that’s where we are and for lots of us we are so much better off than we were before, physically. Emotionally, psychologically, well, that might be a different story. I believe talk therapy is wonderful if we could find a real empathic or sympathetic listener. So guess what! I found MAO and began “talking” with a keyboard with some of the wisest, kindest most sympathetic and compassionate folks on the planet. Regardless of where we’ve been, lots of folks here have been there and worse places and found their way back healthier and happier. We really do help each other.
Keep “talking”,
Mike
Hello Runner3.
Just the thought of trying to do a marathon or triathlon would scare me!
As for the changing room. Think back to long before the ostomy, when you first went into a changing room. If you are anything like the rest of us, I feel sure that you will recall the anxiety of changing for the first time in a public place. With practice, we overcome our fears and just concentrate on the ultimate goals and reasons for having to change. It's called 'adjustment' and I feel sure that you will adjust with flying colours.
Best wishes
Bill
I cannot do what you do in the water but I love swimming and I just go about the changing room like it is as normal as apple pie. If you are not self-conscious then no one else will be; you set the tone by your actions and confidence. The other part is if anyone is curious and you are not in a hurry, let them see and understand what an ostomy is. You will be doing the person and yourself a favor - knowledge is power!
May you have many happy competitions/races/events and all the more power to you!!!
I found that swimming means changing the bag every 2-3 days - the chlorine breaks the seal much quicker.....if you feel uncomfortable change in the stall......
I totally agree -- but it is worth the change to enjoy the exercise -- I ocean and lake swim with mine with no problems.
I use the Convex Sensua Mio -- Coloplast makes a version of it as well - good adhesion -
I fold the bottom up and it is very comfy in my suit. There is also a swim version that I have been able to get in the past - it is a short bag but if you are in the water quite a while and need the extra size it can be an issue. I keep an appropriate bag (gray) handy for discharge; if necessary (if no facilities on hand) and dispose of it properly later.
So far I find the bag very liberating --- good luck!!