Anyone that knows me knows that whenever I get something new I immediately look at all the accessories I can buy and inevitably will end up purchasing one or more things. This also applies to My New Bum!
Read moreThree Weeks with a Stoma
Three weeks have passed and they’ve been a long three weeks. I’m so used to being mobile so not being able to drive has been a bit of a hindrance. I’m still able to get out and about but still taking things easy.
Read moreBeer and a Stoma
In the build up to the surgery I had been given a whole load of information to read including what foods and drinks to try and avoid or at least be cautious about. These foods and drinks wouldn’t cause any harm to the stoma but there may be unwanted side effects such as extra gas.
Read moreThe Psychological Effects of Having a Stoma
I originally started to formulate ideas for this post last weekend when I was feeling pretty low. I had been discharged from hospital and was the reality of everything was hitting home. There were so many things going through my mind that were being amplified by feeling unwell. I was going to compose the post, which would have overall been very negative, but instead I decided to take a step back, wait and try to turn the negatives into positives.
Read moreFollow Up Visit With Stoma Nurse
Today was the first follow-up visit to the stoma team. The aim of the visit is to check everything is healing correctly, to check the size of the stoma, provide new supplies and it’s an opportunity to ask any questions.
Read moreIrritated Stoma
Upon changing my bag this morning I noticed the skin around the stoma was a little irritated. The irritation was around the circumference of the stoma and being new to the whole stoma game I’m wondering if it’s an irritation caused by the adhesive on the bag.
Read moreTwo Weeks With a Stoma
I’ve been home from hospital for three days and recovering is hard work, both physically and mentally. Like most people I’m so used to being active and mobile so curbing what I do is hard and at times I have to remind myself to slow down.
Read moreExpectations vs Reality
Today is release day for me and after 12 days in hospital (11 if excluding the night before) I thought I would reflect on what I was told would happen and what actually happened. As day-to-day care from nursing staff in hospitals can vary widely, I will keep it just to the surgery, how long I was in hospital for and aftercare from doctors, stoma nurses and physio.
Read moreA Week With A Stoma
I’ve now had the colostomy bag for over a week and I feel like we’re just getting acquainted with the new sensations, the new smells and the challenges it’s going to bring. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Read moreInfection Cured
It’s amazing what some hardcore antibiotics can do! Yesterday afternoon I was given a single dose of Gentamicin, aka the Domestos of antibiotics, and started on a course of Tazocin, aka the Dettol of antibiotics. In addition to these two I was still taking Metronidazole. My specialist clearly wanted to eliminate this infection as soon as possible.
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