Hospital must-haves for stoma surgery
Understandably, going into hospital itself, even as a day patient or for a brief appointment can be overwhelming. A lot of people, including myself, have worries and fears about hospital, including trauma to deal with and it can be a very exhausting, roller-coaster experience.
Of course, nobody wants to be in hospital but I always try and remind myself that at that time, that is the best place for me and the place that I need to be in order to get better, to help me to get through my time in hospital, no matter how much I don’t want to be there. It’s thanks to hospital that I am here today. This blog post is specifically for if your hospital visit is planned, although loved ones may be able to help you get these things together if it’s happened as an emergency or sooner than anticipated.
Pre-op appointments – what to take
This is from my experience only so obviously this may differ depending on the hospital protocols and procedures that you go to. Once I knew I was having surgery to give me my permanent ileostomy, I had appointments made to see my stoma nurse a few times and also a pre-operative assessment.
Pre-operative assessments
Usually, pre-operative assessment appointments have a list of things you need when you receive your appointment in the post, but it’s usually things such as taking details of your medications and dosages with you, allergies and any details you may need with you to tell the person who runs the assessment ie whether you have any loose teeth or dentures or metalwork in your body from breaking a bone etc. They usually also ask for details of next of kin and contact details. Usually, the person who runs the pre-operative assessment will be doing multiple ones that day, so won’t be able to answer specifics about stoma surgery or any questions you may have that require more of an in-depth answer, but may be able to answer more generic questions such as “what can I bring into hospital with me?”
Stoma nurse appointments
During the few months leading up to my surgery, I had a few appointments with my stoma nurse and these definitely helped me hugely. My stoma nurse gave me a fake stoma to stick on my abdomen and some bags to have a feel of, wear and also little containers to put cold liquid into a bag whilst wearing it so I could have a go at emptying it and what it would feel like (to an extent) to walk around with an ostomy bag on with something in it.
- Take a list of questions – It’s a great idea to take a list of questions that you have about stoma life to this appointment and remember, no question is a stupid question! Questions you might want to ask are “what can I expect when I wake up from surgery?”, “where do I get my supplies?” and “I’m worried about my sex life after surgery, can we talk about this?” I find writing things down super useful as if I feel overwhelmed, my mind goes blank and I struggle to remember what I wanted to say and/or actually get the words out. Failing this,you can hand the piece of paper to your nurse or doctor and let them work through them with you. You might also want to make a copy of your questions and give your nurse one and keep one for yourself so you can scribble any answers or notes on there. Remember to take a pen!
- Take an example of an outfit you love to wear – This can help your stoma nurse to get a good idea of the placement of where your stoma will be marked up before surgery. It might even be a good idea if you have the time to wear the outfit you love to your appointment. Your stoma nurse will usually see you before surgery and mark up on your abdomen with a felt tip where your surgeon should aim to form your stoma on your stomach.
- Be prepared to talk about your lifestyle – or if you’re feeling too poorly, what you may want your lifestyle to be like in the future. This will help your stoma nurse again to mark up your stoma and position the mark correctly.
- Ask your stoma nurse if you can meet or speak to someone with a stoma – This might not always be possible but they can try to arrange this for you.
If you already have a stoma and need more surgery for your stoma:
- Be sure to take a few of your supplies (ie a few sets of what you need for a full ostomy bag change) with you – This will allow your stoma nurse to see what supplies you use, as well as what additional things you could require if you experience things in hospital such as sore skin. I go into hospital as an outpatient sometimes to have a procedure where my ostomy is widened and I always take this amount with me in my complimentary wash bag provided by Respond when I signed up for their efficient home delivery service.
What to take into hospital with you as a patient for your stoma surgery
Being admitted into hospital for your surgery can feel overwhelming by itself before you even begin thinking about what to take with you and what you could need. Fear not, here is a list full of ideas of what you may need in hospital:
- Necessities – these can be different for everyone but things like toiletries and entertainment that isn’t too energy consuming such as books, crosswords, puzzle books, colouring, headphones for your phone etc. Note that hospitals never take responsibility for anything going missing from your property so you take things at your own risk. Thankfully, my things have never gone missing and I’m so glad I’ve had headphones, a phone charger, and things such as a handheld game console on me as they’ve helped me to cope with being in hospital.
- Medication (another necessity) – Usually, you have to take your prescribed medications into hospital with you in their original boxes with the prescription labels on so medical staff can include these in your medications as an inpatient.
- Home comforts – These can make such a difference when being in hospital such as taking your own pillow, blanket, teddies & sleep spray. Also, things that make you feel cosy and help you sleep such as sleep masks and ear plugs are a must, in my opinion!
- Additional toiletries – which, again, can make all the difference such as a nice dry shampoo, moisturiser, makeup wipes, face mask, hand sanitizer, a shaver, hair bobbles and clips, lip balm (your lips can get really dry in hospital) and body sprays can help you to feel that bit better in yourself, even on the days where you really feel low in energy.
- Things for after surgery – It is a good idea to ask your stoma nurse if they can lend you a specialised cushion for after surgery if you are having your rectum removed. I had one loaned to me for free for 12 weeks after surgery and it made such a difference! Button up pyjamas are a winner as well as they are so much easier when dealing with intravenous drips, getting undressed etc and washing (for me anyway, you may think differently or have different needs). Comfortable, loose clothing is also essential and I always ask my loved ones who visit to bring me clean clothes regularly and keep me topped up with clean underwear especially and nightwear.
- Other food for thought – A notepad and pen can be good if you think of questions you want to ask your medical team when they aren’t on their rounds. A notebook can also be a good thing to have with you if you want to journal.
- A little bit of change – for hospital patient trolley services that go around the wards selling magazines, drinks and sweets etc.
- Your stoma kit – This is a must if you already have a stoma. Respond can also provide you with helpful accessories such as a handheld mirror to help you change your bag and look at your stoma. It’s always a good idea to take considerably more than you need or to ask a loved one to look after two or three “spare” kits of your supplies to bring in to you when they visit, when you are running low. Hospitals will always have stoma supplies, especially on a bowel ward, but bear in mind that they may not have the exact things you use or need.
Why joining Respond’s Home Delivery Service can make preparing for a hospital stay easier
Forgot to top up your ostomy supplies in the run up to surgery with a stoma or don’t know where to go to order your ostomy supplies if you are awaiting formation of a stoma? Don’t panic!
As part of Respond’s promises, they can arrange for emergency supplies to be delivered to you if you’ve forgotten in the run up to preparing for a hospital stay.
If this is going to be your first rodeo with a stoma, e-mail Respond at [email protected] or give them a call on 0800 220 300 and a friendly member of their support team will be on hand to answer all your questions on getting ostomy bags and supplies delivered.
Also, when discharged from hospital to go home, Respond have community nurse teams, there to help you with that transition. Their nurses can visit you at home, provide expert support and also advise on how best to live with a stoma.
To sign up for Respond as your delivery service, either ring the number above or fill in this form and Respond will deal with the rest for you. It’s as simple as that!