Caravan holidays in the UK are one of the best parts of British tradition. All living cramped together, no personal space, and losing everything because there is zero storage! It’s a wonderful holiday tradition which many of us take part in every summer with our nearest and dearest. When you have a young family there is so much stuff to cart along – add a chronic illness into the mix and all that can come with, and you have an overloaded car, and the fun game of finding where to put everything. Here are my top tips:
Packing cubes
Since using these the last few years when going anywhere away from home, I have never looked back. Everything is better prepared in their own bags, ready to grab on the go. When arriving on holiday the last thing you want to be doing is rummaging through luggage to find stuff. Having it in these cubes or a similar alternative is a great way of removing that stress. They are available on the high street and online. A pack of three for £3.50 is the cheapest I have found in-store in Primark, but there are lots of options online.
Setting up a stoma bag changing area
This can be more difficult when it comes to a caravan. The toilets are extremely snug with barely enough room to leave your toothbrush and toothpaste. If you have a spare bed this could be a great space to set up ready. Failing that, what we did was use our packing cube as a portable changing station with bases cut ready to go, and our other accessories. I kept it on my bed, and when the time came, just used that as a base and put the packing cube back under the bed when done. I would also use this to take out and about, and make sure at the end of the day if I did use any supplies that I replenished them.
What to pack
As advised by stoma nurses, make sure you pack plenty of supplies to see you through, not just what you think you will use. The last thing you want to do is run out of pouches or bases. If you are with Respond Healthcare for your deliveries, you should know that they can support you if you give them a ring. They can deliver emergency supplies to you wherever you are. Give them a call or email them to find out more. I have the number saved to my favourites on my phone. For me, I always pack enough for one change a day plus two extra. This allows for potential leaks or swimming where I need to change more.
Check if you qualify for any concessions or priority access
Living with a stoma can mean at some leisure attractions and venues you qualify for priority access, or a discounted rate for entry. I always ring ahead to ask if this is the case. If you have a child with a stoma and are in receipt of DLA (disability learning allowance) and CA (carers allowance), you should qualify as a carer for entry which in some places means you go for free.
Most important above all that, have the best time!
Going on holiday after surgery can create much anxiety and worry as you learn what new things you need to consider, which you didn’t need to do before. Allow yourself to lean into those feelings and work through them. It may take a few times before you feel confident in what you are doing. Do it on your own timeline, and get there when it is comfortable to do so. I go away with my two kids, and our stomas have not been enough of a problem to stop us enjoying ourselves. It may not be easy sometimes, but it is 100% worth it. Having a stoma should not mean you can’t enjoy a holiday just as much as the next person.
