You change the bag yourself!?! I have to learn your techniques...
On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 6:15 PM Aaron Mann <[email protected]> wrote: > If you use the two piece, are you familiar with venting the air on your > own? (I do it with one hand and a pencil) I, too, am at work from 11a to > 8p. I've spent my fair share of lunches doing bag changes wherever I can > drive to meet my wife or attendant. > > Work is what pushed me to stay on fiber gummies. Take 2 every day for nice > poo. The "pancakes" Greg mentioned were embarrassing at the office. > > > Aaron Mann > > > On Sun, Mar 15, 2020 at 3:00 PM Michelle Kephart < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> I use the Hollister brand and it has a little vent, but it's not great at >> letting air pass-through. I don't have to put a lot of air in the bag. Just >> enough to prevent it from being a completely flat vacuum. I take Senna >> every few days if my stool starts to get thick, but it's usually not a bad >> consistency. Part of the problem is that I'm not able to change the bag or >> wafer on my own, and I'm by myself for a majority of the day. When it used >> to leak, it would happen very slowly. If I could change it on my own, it >> wouldn't really be a problem at all. The only time it would make a mess was >> when it started early in the day and I couldn't find anyone to come by to >> help me change it. I know the air trick is unusual, but I haven't had a >> single accident when we do it. Even with all the troubleshooting I've had >> to do over the past year, it's way better than anything I experienced with >> my old bowel program. I'm so glad I have it now. >> >> On Fri, Mar 13, 2020 at 3:35 PM Greg <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I never had a leak, but had the wafer lift up, called "Pancaking." >>> When the poo is soft a sticky, it blocks the opening and goes under the >>> wafer. Luckily its not messy. It seams the messier it could be, the less >>> likely will be. Though if its really runy, make sure you don't let it fill >>> up over full. >>> Greg >>> >>> >>> On 3/13/2020 2:21 PM, Aaron Mann wrote: >>> >>> I never have an issue with the bag leaking due to not having air. Do you >>> have the bags with the air vent on them or without? Is the wafer getting >>> pushed off your belly from the stool? If it is the latter, I have found >>> that consistency of the stool can matter. If it is too firm, try taking >>> Fiber Gummies or Fiber and some other form to loosen your stool lab so it >>> doesn't push the wafer off. I offer this because I know what a pain it is >>> to constantly have a bag with air in it on your belly. >>> >>> On Wed, Mar 11, 2020, 8:27 PM Michelle Kephart < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> I got a colostomy almost one year ago, and I wish I would’ve done it >>>> sooner. I am 37 years old and 11 years post injury, C4/5 complete. I spent >>>> the better part of the year trying to figure out why the wafer would not >>>> stay on and nothing was in the bag. I finally figured out that it was >>>> because of a lack of air in the bag. I found this website to be extremely >>>> helpful with troubleshooting: >>>> https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-leaks-tips/ >>>> >>>> I decided to get a colostomy because I was having more accidents and >>>> the constant anxiety that I was about to have another accident was wearing >>>> me down. I was afraid to vary my diet at all. Now that I have the >>>> colostomy, I rarely think about it. Even when my colostomy leaks, it is so >>>> much easier to clean up. It doesn't get on my chair, I don't have to sit >>>> on the mess, and I don't have to worry about poop getting on my skin sores >>>> when I have them. If we catch the leak early enough and it doesn't get on >>>> my clothes, I don't even have to get out of my chair to clean up. And since >>>> we solved the mystery of why my bag was leaking, I have not had a single >>>> accident. I also love that my life is not dictated by the schedule of my >>>> bowel program. My skin sores healed up pretty well after I stopped sitting >>>> in my shower chair for so long. >>>> >>>> Like Aaron said, sex is pretty doable with the colostomy. Go into it >>>> with a fresh empty bag. In fact, I think it's better because I'm no longer >>>> worried about pooping on my husband (that's never happened, but it would be >>>> mortifying)! And yes, the farts are audible. I also like to keep a blanket >>>> or something else on my stomach that will muffle it. Or I blame the dog :) >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 5:51 PM Aaron Mann <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> C4/5 | 32 years post| 47yr old >>>>> >>>>> I got my colostomy ~ 20 years post. At the time I got it done I was >>>>> going in for my 2nd flap surgery. I developed a small wound on my bottom >>>>> that progressed to a stage 3 quickly. The problem I was having is that I >>>>> would have an accident, not be thoroughly cleaned on/in the wound, and >>>>> just >>>>> spending 1-2 hours every other day on a hard shower chair. These factors >>>>> make it near impossible to prevent fecal infections in any type of wound. >>>>> Once that happens the healing process is greatly hampered. The plastic >>>>> surgeon said that I had to do everything I could to prevent future skin >>>>> breakdown. He asked me about a colostomy and it took me two months to >>>>> decide. >>>>> >>>>> Post colostomy: >>>>> I really wish I'd done this sooner. Granted having a colostomy when >>>>> younger would have presented very uncomfortable life situations. I tell >>>>> you >>>>> though, not having to do bowel programs is a HUGE plus. No more training >>>>> caregivers how to put suppositories in me, stick their finger up my bum >>>>> checking to see if I'm done. Not to mention the embarrassing times of >>>>> having an accident. Some so bad that crap is EVERYWHERE. Being cleaned up >>>>> like a 1 year old. Completely and totally ashamed that someone has to >>>>> clean >>>>> you up. It is so much easier to have a bag and/or wafer change. Travel is >>>>> more convenient. No need for dragging around a shower chair. >>>>> >>>>> Now, few downsides, some more important than others depending on how >>>>> well you handle things. If you don't keep regular with the right diet, >>>>> your >>>>> stool can be too firm and push the right off your belly. Too loose and >>>>> you'll be changing more often. It has taken me years to figure out on my >>>>> own the right combination of fiber gummies to take daily to keep it just >>>>> right. Let's talk gas. Now farts are funny at any age. You must have a >>>>> sense of humor if you have a colostomy. There is no longer the built in >>>>> muffler of sitting on a cushioned seat. Make a fart sound with your lips >>>>> right now. That is what colostomy farts sound like. I carry a hoodie on my >>>>> lap for two purposes; I can bundle it as a makeshift muffler over my bag >>>>> on >>>>> gassy days or wear it when cold. Sex. Have your attention now? Spontaneity >>>>> will present some new barriers to overcome. Best answer is be open to >>>>> adaptation regarding your colostomy. If I plan on having fun with my wife >>>>> or whoever (just kidding hon), then I have a wide ace wrap to put around >>>>> my >>>>> belly to cover the belly bag. It has worked so far for those intimate >>>>> bumps >>>>> n rubs. >>>>> >>>>> Please ask questions, best thing us old quads can do is impart our >>>>> ?wisdom? >>>>> >>>>> Aaron Mann >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 3:29 PM Danny Espinoza < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I've got one but as a result of my seat belt cutting in to me and >>>>>> haven't known anything else. >>>>>> >>>>>> -Danny >>>>>> >>>>>> -------- Original Message -------- >>>>>> Subject: [QUAD-L] Colostomy - Yea or Nay? >>>>>> From: "Nancy Gillen" <[email protected]> >>>>>> Date: Wed, March 04, 2020 7:17 am >>>>>> To: <[email protected]> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Nancy Gillen <[email protected]> >>>>>> 9:58 AM (18 minutes ago) >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I am seriously thinking of getting a colostomy. If you have a >>>>>> colostomy, will you share your experiences/opinions. Need input. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>> Nan >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>
