Colostomy 101...remember rule #1

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Mchapp
Mchapp Member Posts: 95
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I forgot rule number 1 from my colostomy training....
1. NEVER multi-task when changing your bag/wafer...especially on chemo day

OUTCOME - you are tired and chemo brain sets in- and when you need to take a long nap after changing your wafer and bag before the nap MAKE SURE YOU CLOSE THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG...

oopse...guess who didn't do that today....and what a mess...and can't shower with the 5-FU pack....so sponge bath just doesn't seem clean....

used 100 hand wips in 2 minutes...geeze...just had to laugh...now clean sheets as well as clean clothes...

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  • lcarper2
    lcarper2 Member Posts: 635 Member
    #2
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    mchapp
    yuck what aday you have had tomorrow will be better...
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #3
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    Rule #2
    Do not follow the directions on a colonscopy prep to a tee when you have a bag. Get a good book, sit on the throne and open the bag into the toilet pretty soon after starting to drink. The wafer is not strong enough to hold back the prep's initial "explosion"..............what a mess.

    The really sad news was I was getting a flex sig and with a bag didn't need the prep in the first place.

    It's hard for me to fathom that I had mine taken down (reversed) over 4 years ago. Having a foot from the "end" cut out sure made for a long adjustment period (almost 2 years but it got better over time).
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
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    scouty said:

    Rule #2
    Do not follow the directions on a colonscopy prep to a tee when you have a bag. Get a good book, sit on the throne and open the bag into the toilet pretty soon after starting to drink. The wafer is not strong enough to hold back the prep's initial "explosion"..............what a mess.

    The really sad news was I was getting a flex sig and with a bag didn't need the prep in the first place.

    It's hard for me to fathom that I had mine taken down (reversed) over 4 years ago. Having a foot from the "end" cut out sure made for a long adjustment period (almost 2 years but it got better over time).

    I took a shower everyday with my 5fu......
    They have plastic shields to cover 3 sides top and two sides so that it makes a raincoat over your port. The starp has or should have snaps so that you can hang it from the shower rail or simply have one of your closest friends or spouse if that is the deal and let them hold it while you bathe. It never slowed me down and they have these at your Oncologists office, simply ask for them...Happy Bathing...Buzzard
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #5
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    Buzzard said:

    I took a shower everyday with my 5fu......
    They have plastic shields to cover 3 sides top and two sides so that it makes a raincoat over your port. The starp has or should have snaps so that you can hang it from the shower rail or simply have one of your closest friends or spouse if that is the deal and let them hold it while you bathe. It never slowed me down and they have these at your Oncologists office, simply ask for them...Happy Bathing...Buzzard

    Also keep your mouth closed when removing bag
    My girlfriend changes my bag for me and one time, when she was only changing the bag that holds everything, not the flange part that sticks to my ab(I use two-piece with clip on bottom ConVatec)a piece of stool was almost clear of stoma when it suddenly flew into air,almost hitting girlfriend in forehead!!!!!. Was quite funny at the time....Also have to watch when changing bags that stoma isn't active at the time. Mine works with no set pattern as my eating has no set pattern.....Steve

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