THE FUTURE IS ONE BIG CHALLENGE AFTER ANOTHER for 3Dogs and friends ..... PART 4

JayJay14

Hi,

I just had to de-lurk to say how well you are coping in such difficult circumstances, I'm sure Alan is so happy to be home - he'll get his appitite back now he's away from hospital food.

I am an eight year veteran of the bags - you know you are loved when your OH uncomplainingly sorts out the bed in the early hours while you are sorting yourself in the bathroom:D

Not all iliostomy bags are the same and the one the hospital uses might not work the best. I used one brand for six years and they changed it and I had all sorts of problems. The glue might not suit Alan's skin - I have found this. Google or ask your nurse for all the manufacturers and then call them (they all have 0800 careline numbers - and there are loads out there) and get samples of everything. I tried them all last year in desperation and have found one which suits me, it very kind to the skin, and have had hardly any leaks at all since starting them. Always use a postal company for supplies and not the chemist as they will send extras (wipes, disposal bags and the like) Ask the nurse about support underwear (free on prescription)

I didn't have emergency surgery so got to consult where my bag was going (went into surgery with a big black cross on my tum) Alan will get his technique sorted , it is very early days yet and very emotional. I still sit and sob a bit at the perceved ugliness of it all but I wouldn't be here without it.

You have so much wonderful support here but if you need to ask about anything at all I'm only a PM away.

Aesop

Jay jay, thanks for delurking, it's so great how msers are willing to share info and are so caring.

MandyLou66

So glad Alan is home 3dogs!

As JayJay 14 says sorting the bags etc is a personal thing. Nick too had some that didn,t suit but now we use a postal company called Salts Medilink (can i put that on here?). They phone once a month to see what we need and it is delivered a few days later. Once he is healed and his stoma settled down they will cut them to the correct size for him. Couple of bits for him to ask for are Niltac and Secuplast, niltac is an adhesive remover spray that makes it far easier to remove his bags and secuplast are shaped sticky things to help it stay in place. He also uses Baby wipes instead of the plain wipes and water. I bought Nick a little 4 drawer plastic storage unit to sit by the bed so he has all his bits and bobs to hand at Billy bag changing time.

Be prepared for lots of tears and tantrums, why me's and lots of laundry! So glad Tes*o value vests exsist! Classic Nick quote is "Its so good to sit here pooing at someone when they're talking bull*hit!!"

Keep your chin up, it does get easier!

King regards
ML

JayJay14

Manyylou - so agree with you about Niltac - magic stuff, it also removes just about anything (OH got a 'new to him' x-type jag last year and someone had stuck their hands free set on the waltnut dash with a velcro square, he was worried about damaging it but I suggested the niltac as it is ok for skin - worked like a dream:D)

I use Oakmed, though get them from Amcare - I'm a bit of a tart though and switch suppliers regularly for the freebies. Each company will supply any brand, not just their own so it is a case of which one gives you the best survice.

Also contact your stoma nurse (just ring the local hosp and ask to be put through to them) and ask when the next stoma care meeting is. The reps from all the companies attend and appart from the freebies you can get to see all the things that are available on prescription. All the local support groups are usually there too. I find that if you go to the docs and say 'my stoma nurse says I need this' then there is never any problem.

boultdj

Yeppiieee! to Alan being back home, and hello JayJay.

3Dogs

Evening guys ......... and welcome JayJay, thanks for delurking to give us support and advice. Just like MandyLou, who has given a great insight into living with 'the bag' And MyMerryWidow on the Tesco Elite 11+ thread is pm'ing me with lots of useful info too. Aesop is so right when she comments on the way MSE'ers are a font of useful info and always someone to advise whatever happens - that MSE Community Spirit is alive and well :T :T

I love the Classic Nick quote MandyLou :rotfl: :rotfl: and have noted down the products you mentioned. The plastic drawer trolley type thing you got sounds ideal I guess even after 8 years, Billy Bag can still surprise you at times JayJay

Anyway, Alan had a lovely night's sleep, the best he has had for ages, only getting up once for a wee, and straight back to sleep. We both got up at 9 am and had toast for breakfast. The District Nurse came just before noon and changed his dressings, plus put a new drainage bag on the abcess drain. She had lots of forms to fill in, and left the folder for future visits. She said she'd be back on Monday instead of daily, to give us time to ourselves to settle back at home, but if needed she will come in before then. The Stoma Nurse also called but we missed it and she left a message to say Wednesday was her visiting day, so she'd be here next Wednesday, but to ring her in the office tomorrow if he needed more bags to last him till then. I counted them last night and there's 7 left so I think we need more to be on safe side if he has trouble fitting them again

I was almost dropping up to sleep after the nurse had been so had a 2 hour nap, with Alan just watching the tv, and then he had a nap while I made tea - he fancied chips with something so I did S/World chips with a couple of Pork & Apple sausages each and he ate it all, and enjoyed them

Our close friend Stuart came round to visit for an hour after tea and it was lovely to chat to him Now watching footie on the telly

beanielou

All sounding good.
Welcome to JayJay.

3Dogs

I am off to bed now :eek: Yes, I know ........ very early for me, but tired and up early tomorrow, so night night my lovelies

beanielou

Sleep well hun xx

Aesop

3Dogs wrote: »

I am off to bed now :eek: Yes, I know ........ very early for me, but tired and up early tomorrow, so night night my lovelies

hope you are sleeping 3Dogs, and computer is winding down.

Sleep well hunni. xx