This story is about a challenging day in the life of someone with an ostomy, dealing with extreme heat and a series of unfortunate events in Washington, D.C. The day involved driving her boyfriend, who couldn't drive due to a medical condition, to his appointments and facing several obstacles along the way.

- On a scorching 104°F day, she accidentally locked her keys in her car while waiting outside without air conditioning, enduring the heat for an hour until help arrived.
- Her ostomy pouch filled quickly in the heat, so she had to support it with her hand. She managed to get into a nearby building to use the restroom by explaining her urgent need to security.
- Afterward, she drove her boyfriend to a bus terminal without air conditioning, where his bus was delayed by two hours.
- Feeling exhausted and dehydrated, she got lost twice on her way home, driving through unsafe areas.
- When she finally met a friend to unwind, the heat had softened the adhesive on her ostomy appliance, causing it to fail and spill onto her white pants. Fortunately, she was able to clean the stains, but the experience highlighted the lengths we go to for those we care about.

In the D.C. area, she feels unable to discreetly empty her pouch outdoors due to concerns about security mistaking it for something suspicious. This experience has made her look forward to cooler weather, despite her usual love for summer.

Here are some helpful tips and insights for similar situations:

1. Keep a sense of humor and perspective; laughter can be a great relief when accidents happen.
2. If necessary, discreetly empty the pouch outdoors, like behind a tree, to avoid a blow-out in extreme heat.
3. Carry emergency containers, such as an empty plastic coffee cup with a lid, large disposable cups, or a plastic bottle, for on-the-go emptying when restrooms aren't accessible.
4. Consider trying different ostomy appliances or stronger adhesives that can withstand high heat and heavy sweating better.
5. Many people with ostomies find that hot, humid weather can loosen wafers, so they often look forward to cooler seasons for better appliance security.