Heh, no no no. Just crack open the top edge to let air out... Aaron Mann
On Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 8:38 AM Michelle Kephart <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>
