Trial and error has led me to a system of emptying and cleaning my pouch that makes everything feel better. I saw another post about using warm water in the pouch after emptying to wash it out. I will say it takes several times of doing this (put water in, holding the pouch up, swish it around, then empty) to get it clean. I do this until the water runs clear when coming out. I also use a deod ...

Question from a new ostomate: How do you handle emptying an ileostomy when outdoors for hours or all day and no bathroom is nearby? For example, on a boat ride, hiking in a group, just sitting with friends at sunset, sunrise, or around a campfire? How about when camping, either backpacking or car camping? Are my tenting days over?
Thanks
Bruce

The adventure continues.
As I posted previously, retaining a rectal stump long term causes trouble.
A recap: Last December, about 2 years post-op, my rectal stump became inflamed and began bleeding. This, of course, freaked me out a little. Blood discharging... where it should not. I consulted with my most excellent gastroenterologist. He didn't share the concern I had. He examined my stump wi ...

NORMALITY IS A MYTH. We’re all of us outsiders, struggling to get through life as best we are able, given our unique circumstances. Having an ostomy only accentuates the individuality each of us brings to the struggle. The all-encompassing concept of being ‘normal’ is much too general a term to be applicable to people because it means ‘average’ which is a statistical model that co ...

A year, almost to the day, I started a journey I did not know I would be on. On May 22nd, 2024, my husband took me to the emergency department as something did not feel right in my abdomen. I had been dealing with a kidney stone since May 19th, but this felt the same. It felt like what I described to my husband: like a puff of air had been released in my abdomen.
When the CT scan results came ...

So, as of lately, it has been exactly one year since I have had my urostomy that has saved my life from bladder cancer. I've been so afraid to change up my daily routines, but with a year looking in my rearview mirror, I have been enjoying 2 or 3 times a week taking my shower and removing my appliance after I do my hair and after I wash up! So, as not to get any lotions on Minnie!
I remove my ...

Since we can't be like "able-anal-ed" folks and "take a dump," we need a saying of our own. "Draining the bag" just doesn't cut it. Some candidates to consider:
Trapshooting. Has a nice ring to it. Imagine: "Hey Sally, back in a jiffy... gotta do a little trapshooting."
Turboturd. For the ostomate in a hurry.
Dash-of-splash. Similar to turboturd, but with some recoil.
Easysqueeze. When you kno ...

Today I was given a barium enema to test for reconnection. Everything looks great, so we will be proceeding in May. However, since I came home, I've been passing what feels like bowel movements. It's mostly the solution, but I feel like there was some bowel in there too. If I'm still doing this tomorrow, I'll be contacting my doctor. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have double ostomies. I started pole a year ago, and I've just started aerial. For 16 years, I did nothing. I'm due for my 35th operation in October, but I'm not allowing it to stop me anymore. Thank you to those who believe in me every day, even though I don't. I'm so lucky to have a supportive partner who also has an ileostomy. Be bold, believe, and fly

I'd just like to get on a soapbox for a minute. I would like to encourage anyone and everyone who has an issue with their product (leakage, whatever) to please get the lot number and report it to the company. I think a lot of us have come to believe that all products will have issues, and why bother. But it is important, for you and for others. I recently had an issue with a Hollister bag, and ...

Hi all, this is my first post. A lady posted about using a Dixie cup while showering to keep the bag dry. Is this a brand? Also, any suggestions for added support for playing tennis? Thanks, Jackie.