When I first woke up with my stoma, I struggled to even look at it, never mind having to empty the bag or changing it. I didn’t know how I was ever going to be able to manage this daily, I was terrified; It all felt so alien to me.
Finding a routine that worked for me was so important. This begins from how often I would change the bag to the storage of the medical products, to how and where I laid my products out for a bag change, to changing and disposing of the bag.
Something that may sound simple caused me so much worry and anxiety. I struggled with cutting the bags to the correct size and just worried about my stoma going mid-change. I soon learned that once my stoma had settled in size, I could have my bags pre-cut with Respond – which was an absolute god send for me.
First off, I tried different products as I was having trouble with my peristomal skin. This was one of the most important things for me, finding products that worked and that I could put my trust in. When I first had my stoma surgery, I woke up with a huge bag that did not fit my frame so finding the correct size of bag that worked with my peristomal skin was my main priority. I worked along with my stoma nurse who also suggested a ring/seal to protect the skin around my stoma, and this is where I first tried a black bag, Believe it or not, this made a huge difference to me and how I felt about the bag, this just felt less medical and easier to cope with.
I found a 3 drawer unit that I kept in my bathroom with a flat top that I could lay out my products on top of which made my bag change much easier. I changed my bag every other day as I felt this worked for me and my skin, and I always changed it first thing in the morning, after a shower and before eating – that way I knew I had more control over my stoma working whilst changing.
This became my routine for a year or more until my confidence grew and I now have made changes, but without this routine I don’t think I would have managed as well.
I do think it’s important to find your way with your stoma, give yourself time as there will be hiccups finding a routine that works for you and products that work for you. But you will get there and you will manage.
