Everyday Solutions to Your Day-to-day Concerns

by Kathy Foley-Bolch

Welcome. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to answer your questions about everyday living in this new column. First, I’d like to share with you one of my recent experiences. Last week, while at a business conference, I was sitting in a meeting among 20 strangers and had that “oh no feeling.” I had a leak. But no problem—I just grabbed my purse and headed for the Ladies Room. Unfortunately, after years of no leaks, I have gotten complacent, and the adhesive backing on the wafer had melted into the protective covering, my tube of stoma paste was as hard as cement, and I had no facecloth to wash with. (Boy, those paper towels are coarse.) Anyway, I discovered that the new handicapped self-contained stalls are convenient for just this type of emergency, but more importantly, from now on, I will be sure to rotate my emergency stock in the spring and the fall when I change my clocks! Looking forward to hearing from you!

Question: I plan on going to my home-town for the holidays. I’ll be seeing family and friends, but no one there knows about my surgery. How do I tell them? Maybe it would be easier to stay home.

Answer: Please, don’t even think about avoiding those you want to see just because you have an ostomy. Each of us has to make decisions about what we will tell others about our personal lives. Having an ostomy is no different. You are not obligated to tell anyone that you have had this lifesaving surgery, but I’ll bet that your friends and family will be so happy to see you healthy and well that they will be curious as to how you’ve accomplished this. A quick answer might be, “I had surgery and am doing fine now.” That will satisfy most people. You may want to share more with some of your closer friends, but the choice is yours. Go home and enjoy your visit with your loved ones. That’s what the holidays are all about. This time of the year, I am especially thankful that I have an ostomy and can enjoy the holiday season.

Question: I have a chance to go out of the country. What will I do about Customs? What if they search me?

Answer: Ask your doctor to write a note on a prescription pad that you can present to officials if needed. If possible, have it translated into the language of the country you are visiting. In the world of post-9/11 travel, many people are searched now and you are not being singled out. If you are going to be searched, explain that you have an ostomy and request privacy.

Also, it’s a good idea to keep your appliances with you in a carry-on bag in the event that you are separated from your luggage. You can always buy new clothes, but it will be difficult to find your pouches in another country. For the same reason, I suggest you pack at least three times what you would normally expect to use.

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Question: How do I decide what kind of a pouch to use? Is one-piece better than two-piece? And what about drainable vs. closed-end pouches?

Answer: The absolute best pouching system for you is the one that is most comfortable. I personally have settled on a couple of different systems depending on my activity. If I am going to be in a situation where I am in front of people and not involved in real strenuous activities, I prefer a one-piece appliance for the low profile under my more fitted business attire. When my husband and I go four-wheeling in the Jeep, I use a two-piece closed-end system because it is easier to manage in the woods (to properly dispose of a used pouch, I wrap it in paper towels and put it in a zip-top plastic bag to discard when we get out of the woods).

The best thing is to contact the manufacturer and request samples of some of their products. Most will supply you with a sample in return for your filling out a questionnaire upon completion of your test.

It’s also a good idea to stay informed about new products by keeping in touch with a support group, visiting your area supplier and asking questions, and by reading publications like this one.

Kathy Foley-Bolch has been living a very full life with an ostomy since November 1994. She is the author of the book Yes We Can! Advice on Traveling with an Ostomy and Tips for Everyday Living.

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