This topic is about a swimmer who is currently undergoing treatment for rectal cancer and is concerned about the possibility of needing a stoma. They are worried about how this might affect their ability to train and compete at a high level in swimming, especially with a colostomy or ileostomy appliance.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. You can definitely continue swimming competitively. Many people with ostomies have reported that they can engage in all their previous activities once they feel confident that their appliance is secure.

2. If you have a colostomy, you might be a good candidate for irrigation. This allows you to irrigate before swimming and wear a stoma plug or cap instead of a pouch, which can help reduce bulk and drag.

3. For those with an ileostomy or who do not irrigate:
- Use techniques or products that help keep the pouch flat against your body to minimize water resistance.
- Ensure that the skin barrier is well sealed, and empty the pouch right before training or racing.
- For events shorter than about three hours, output issues are usually not a problem. For longer meets, plan for a quick emptying break.

4. The biggest challenge is often mental rather than physical. Stay positive and view the stoma as just another athletic challenge to overcome.

5. Look for inspiration from para-swimmers and explore the site’s “COLLECTIONS” section for posts on clothing, swimming, and ostomies to find more practical ideas.