Have a Colostomy or Ileostomy Question

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am very new to my ileostomy and today when I was talking to someone that I haven't seen since last summer, "Bella" started singing. They didn't know that I had cancer or an ileostomy. What do you all do when this happens. I was embarrassed. I know I should find the humor in this, but right now I can't. Is there some clever saying that I can say. It's not like I can really ignore it. When she wants to sing, she sings. Kim

Comments

  • tiny one
    tiny one Member Posts: 465 Member
    #2
    ostomy
    I had read that if you put your arm across your stoma and press a little you can mask the noise. The Ostomy Book tells alot about ostomies. It takes awhile to get used to this new way of going. It seems so foreign from what we had. It really does give you freedom from being in the bathroom all the time. I had my ileostomy for 10 months. If you have any more questions just ask. Don't be embarrased by your stoma no one can tell that you have one only if you tell them.
  • qwe
    qwe Member Posts: 124
    #3
    tiny one said:

    ostomy
    I had read that if you put your arm across your stoma and press a little you can mask the noise. The Ostomy Book tells alot about ostomies. It takes awhile to get used to this new way of going. It seems so foreign from what we had. It really does give you freedom from being in the bathroom all the time. I had my ileostomy for 10 months. If you have any more questions just ask. Don't be embarrased by your stoma no one can tell that you have one only if you tell them.

    HI Kim I have a
    HI Kim
    I have a colostomy mine is on the left side you know this I just put it hear
    for others to read and mine sings to some time loud I never know when it happens
    so I never know when to put my arm over the bag what do you do in that case.I think
    you were looking for a different solution and I would want to know it to.Maybe we
    need to cut down on food that make gas LOL
  • hollyberry
    hollyberry Member Posts: 173
    #4
    qwe said:

    HI Kim I have a
    HI Kim
    I have a colostomy mine is on the left side you know this I just put it hear
    for others to read and mine sings to some time loud I never know when it happens
    so I never know when to put my arm over the bag what do you do in that case.I think
    you were looking for a different solution and I would want to know it to.Maybe we
    need to cut down on food that make gas LOL

    Kim
    I have a colostomy and the best thing I have found for singing stomas is Bean-o. You take 2 tablets before you eat and the enzymes neutralize the gas-causing foods. It's not perfect, but it sure cuts way down on the noise.
    Hollyberry
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    #5
    Embarrassment be gone!
    Hi Kim! I know how embarrassing it can be. I'm on a medication that gives me diarrhea, so i get severe cases of squealing stoma. I just ignore it now because you know what? Nobody knows what it actually is making the noise unless they know you have an ostomy! I've had people look at my tummy strangely when the squealing starts, and it makes me laugh because they don't know it isn't a loud tummy rumble. At yoga one time it started happening, and i knew everyone could hear it, and they KNEW what it probably was because they were all cancer patients too, so i just ignored it. Later someone else made a real poot that echoed against the walls! No one did or said anything, but it was really funny.

    I find that hardly anything embarrasses me anymore. I don't know if it's a lack of humility, or i just plain don't care!

    I think you'll get used to it for the most part. Just be thankful it doesn't stink like other peoples farts!

    Many hugs,
    Krista
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #6
    Singing Stomas
    Kim:

    Great discussion topic. I am new to a colostomy and I fear the public noise issue. I appreciated the beano suggestion.

    I did not think to name my stoma as you have done. At first I was confused by you posting. I will have to come up with a clever name like you have.

    Good luck and know you are not alone.

    Mike
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
    #7
    Not so friendly noises...
    I have only had this happen at home in front of my family so far. But last night I was laying in bed and I had some severe gas. My bag blew up like a balloon and stayed that way. Literally looked like I had a balloon attached to my side. At first I thought 'oh no! What would I do if I was at work and this happened during a meeting?' But them I got up and looked in the mirror and all I could do was laugh.
  • pamysue
    pamysue Member Posts: 105
    #8
    stomas
    All the best information I found was on

    http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=33

    these people know just about everything about dealing with a colostomy or ileostomy. I remember saying "they sent me home with a hole in my stomach and no one cares". I was taught so little and it was a lot to deal with. That board was such a gift. My home nurse printed it on her cards to give to her patients as we found so many answers there.

    Good luck and Blessings to you,
    Pam
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #9
    pamysue said:

    stomas
    All the best information I found was on

    http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=33

    these people know just about everything about dealing with a colostomy or ileostomy. I remember saying "they sent me home with a hole in my stomach and no one cares". I was taught so little and it was a lot to deal with. That board was such a gift. My home nurse printed it on her cards to give to her patients as we found so many answers there.

    Good luck and Blessings to you,
    Pam

    Thanks for suggestions
    I appreciate your suggestions and can't wait until I get to that point where I really don't care if it sings or not. It is a totally different sound than your tummy growling, and louder, but I'm sure that most people wouldn't have a clue as to where the noise "is coming from."

    Thank you Pam for the website. I barely took a look at it, but it looks very informative.

    Kim
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #10
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Thanks for suggestions
    I appreciate your suggestions and can't wait until I get to that point where I really don't care if it sings or not. It is a totally different sound than your tummy growling, and louder, but I'm sure that most people wouldn't have a clue as to where the noise "is coming from."

    Thank you Pam for the website. I barely took a look at it, but it looks very informative.

    Kim

    sounds
    with angel it was like that at the Beginning but it stopped a few weeks later he would blame it on me ha ha he was a little joker

    michelle

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