This topic is about deciding between having an elective urostomy or continuing with the use of diapers for someone who has nerve-related incontinence. The person in question lost bladder-control nerves during cancer surgery and is now considering a urostomy to improve their quality of life. Here are some insights and advice shared by others who have faced similar decisions:
1. Quality-of-life benefit:
- People who have switched from using diapers to having a urostomy often describe the change as life-saving. It removes the constant discomfort and embarrassment associated with wet diapers.
- Since the person already manages a colostomy, adjusting to a second pouch for a urostomy is generally seen as manageable.
2. Routine and equipment choices:
- A two-piece urostomy system, consisting of a wafer and a pouch, is recommended. Many people change the wafer every three days, though some extend this to five to seven days depending on their skin's condition.
- Proper skin care is crucial because urine can irritate the skin quickly. It's important to establish a routine that keeps the skin dry and protected with cleaning and barrier products.
- For overnight management, some prefer to get up once or twice to empty the small pouch rather than using a bedside drainage container, finding this method simpler and less cumbersome.
- If managing both a colostomy and a urostomy, try to coordinate the wafer change days so that only one full appliance change is needed at a time.