I have come to really enjoy Christmas after years of dreading the expectation of over-indulgence in heavy meals and endless treats; now living with Homer the stoma has made me reassess the festive season and enjoy it without having to compromise on the enjoyment but to think more carefully about how I approach things.
Christmas dinners
This is what I look forward to the most I think – the smell of an amazing roast dinner filling the house is always something special.
The bird: although many people regard turkey as a bit boring, it is a great meat if you’re an ostomate. It is a lean protein, low in fibre and easy to digest. With the right cooking and traditional accompaniments it is delicious.
Using turkey leftovers is very sensible as they are so versatile; cold cuts, a curry or a pie perhaps. You really can’t go wrong with offcuts of turkey, sausage meat and stuffing to make a festive sandwich. You can even make a lovely stock with the bones which makes amazing soup.
Relishes and accompaniments make such a difference to the taste of a Christmas dinner. But not everything is suitable for ostomates e.g. I have always struggled with cranberry sauce (because of the berry skins), until I discovered that you can get a smooth version – it’s great! I must admit that I also stick to the famous brand of packet stuffing as it is not packed with additional fruit and nuts that do not agree with me.
Knowledge is power they say, and knowing your stoma helps you navigate the other Christmas foodstuffs that may be offered up. For example pudding, mince pies, nuts, dried fruits of all kinds can cause problems especially for those of us with an ileostomy. The high level of fibre in these things can cause a blockage and watery output that you don’t want to have to deal with when you’re trying to enjoy the season. Some people can tolerate them in moderation but I know that I can’t so I will have an alternative dessert on the day, perhaps a sponge pudding with a bucket of custard!
Extra cooking time for root vegetables is a must. I am a huge fan of many vegetables but root vegetables are my favourite. I do love sprouts and cauliflower too but I have found that I have to be careful with the amounts of these I eat as if they live up to their reputation for causing wind, it could affect my bag. I also avoid vegetables such as peas with tough skins as I find them too difficult to digest.
Yummy!
Navigating a Christmas party
One of the things I look forward to before Christmas is playing Santa at the First Cymru children’s party in Swansea. I’ve done this for quite a few years and it really makes me smile to see all the children enjoying the party food and dancing to great music.
Socialising is great for lifting the mood and getting out with family and friends is important for our mental health. But its important to do as much as you feel comfortable with because managing your stoma and toilet routines is difficult if people around you don’t understand your needs.
Avoid too much alcohol or fizzy drinks – alcohol is very dehydrating so moderation is best. Also it’s worth remembering that while staying hydrated is a must, fizzy drinks can also be a potential mistake as they can make your bag balloon and there’s a risk of ‘noise’ too.
Nothing beats Christmas music and dancing; as you probably know I will always take the opportunity to get on the dance floor. I would advise you to wear some kind of stoma support if you feel that your bag might be obvious when you’re up there throwing some shapes.
Treats are absolutely fine – it’s Christmas, but over indulgence can lead to discomfort and a lot of regrets…
Always make sure you have a spare change of bag in and emergency kit with you. This will give you a lot of reassurance and the confidence to relax and enjoy the party.
Travel and self-care
Being with family and friends is such an important part of Christmas and it doesn’t matter where in the country or even the world you may be visiting, proper planning and preparation is crucial. Here are my top tips for a stress free journey.
Staying hydrated is my mantra. Make sure that you have plenty of water for the journey, and isotonic drinks are also a great alternative.
Leave in plenty of time; you don’t want to be panicking if there are hold-ups on the way, and I would strongly advise having a travel kit in your car should you have to make an unexpected stop and ensure you take enough supplies with you, including spares!
Eat sensibly before your journey and avoid large meals. A few snacks are always handy and if you can stop along the way for a light meal even better.
Itinerary planning is always useful if you are travelling a good distance. Try to identify opportunities for toilet breaks or for a drink/snack/meal, if appropriate.
Get your stoma supplies well beforehand and packed appropriately; remember to take enough for your trip and also to keep enough in your hand luggage if you’re taking a flight anywhere. Information and additional tips for travelling abroad can be found on the Respond website.
Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone and I’m looking forward to staying in touch with you all in 2026. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd.
