STINKY AIR

• By Idahoeagle
• Reply 3440552
• October 8, 2012 at 9:28 am
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Kristin66,
I am tickled and you remind me of when I came home from the hiospital after my surgery and chemo. I had the worst smelling odor about me than anyone could have, or should have to live with. However, even though there was very little I could do about it, my mother still complained abot the odor. It made me feel so terrible and such a downer in my recovery because I was so focused on allowing her to make me feel sick about it. I finally, after all the airsprays I could think of trying, had to just let it work its way through this. She complained about the smell, but I just kept spraying the spray and did the best I could.
I was just thankful that she coped with it and helped me through my recovery as much as she could.
Do what you can to eliminate the smell, but this will and should run it's course and you'll be back to being not so smelly, after you get farther down the road to recovery.
Here's to a speedy recovery and I hope you get some relief with this one.

Michael

• By amt52
• Reply 3440697
• October 8, 2012 at 10:22 am
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Kristin, They make a bottle of neutralizer drops, to add to your pouch after emptying. I can't remember the name (someone?). I got a bottle from Edgepark. Just a few blue drops, it really works. And we use the flush packets for the toilet, the kind that make the water blue. This has been working well, my family insists that I never smell bad. But I also think your son could be more grateful for having a place to live. Knowing how bad it makes you feel, he could 'bear up' a little better. I'm not trying to be mean, but with your health conditions, you are doing the best you can do!

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3440716
• October 8, 2012 at 10:26 am
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Kristin, as Michael says, it will get better. Your son sounds like one of those people who would complain about something in paradise. He should go and find his own place and enjoy perfection! Mean time I can't believe he does not stink when using the toilet and I suggest you complain about it. The world is full of folk who think their own Sh*t does not stink and it would be a nicer place if every time we met that type we told them otherwise.

• By tjane
• Reply 3440734
• October 8, 2012 at 10:31 am
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I think the drops are called M9 drops. I am 7 months post op and my daughter still is telling me to shut the bathroom door after I have emptied my pouch. I have not used the drops because I have to empty so often. But someone said to put a drop or two in the toilet before you empty. Another person on the site uses a tic tac in there pouch. I have not tried this either. As far as your son I think he should be a little more compasionate. I think I would tell him if it bothers you so much then move out and you won't have to deal with the odor. At 40 he should be able to find an apt that he could afford.

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3440804
• October 8, 2012 at 10:47 am
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I just recieved a free sample of "Ostofresh" destroys odors,.The web site is www.ostofresh.com or 1888-427-6380. Someone mentioned it on the site and they send little bottle to try. You put a few drops in pouch. So far it seems to work pretty well. As for your son, if he isn,t happy, give him nose plugs!

• By DixieWest
• Reply 3441650
• October 8, 2012 at 3:45 pm
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I have no sense of smell (born that way) so, I'm fortunate in some ways BUT I worry all the time about how odors affect those around me. My boyfriend is a smoker so his sense of smell isn't as acute as some and he is the MOST patient man I've ever known. However, we have a friend visiting who has a hyper sense of smell and no filter between her brain and mouth so I am constantly hearing about the odors. I use the blue drops in my pouches while I wear them AND when I dispose of them. I use ziplock bags for disposal and keep them in a large ziplock (used tobacco pouches) by the toilet to store them until I toss them in the outside trash bin. She insisted while she was here that I also use Lysol to help. Chemical sprays give me a headache. I've been paranoid my whole life about body odors and household odors and am almost OCD in my approach to these. I'm not at all sure this friend will be invited for a return visit! Oh, I also have a candle in the bathroom that i burn when I am irrigating or changing pouches. Ya know, I think some folks don't realize that their own "stuff" stinks! LOL
Good luck with your situation. Get your son some peppermint oil or something to keep in his pocket to take a sniff every now and then! (just kidding) or you may remind him that you lived through his potty-training years without complaint.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3441988
• October 8, 2012 at 5:54 pm
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I keep a spray can of Febreze in each bathroom and that seems to keep the smell in control when I empty my ileostomy. I remember staying with my husband's aunt who had a colostomy, and when she changed it we would be driven out of her apartment. That was the first thing I thought about when I found out - after life-saving emergency surgery- that I had an ileostomy. Fortunately, it is not that bad. Adapt also has a smell-controlling liquid that comes in packets and also makes the pouch slippery to empty out easier.

Hugs from Marge

• By Kristin66
• Reply 3442281
• October 8, 2012 at 8:02 pm
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I knew I could count on all of you.
There were a couple of the suggestions that I did not know about so I will try them.
Being realistic our situations come with some unique problems and other than agreeing that these surgeries have saved our lives I have yet to hear anything positive to hang on to. When do we get a break?? I sure could use one. Would it not be great if we could go just one day without having to arrange our day around a poopy stoma and having to pack a "diaper" bag to take our supplies and change of cloths in just in case. Wouldn't our lives make for a great sitcom???

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3442293
• October 8, 2012 at 8:09 pm
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Hummm.. Suggestions... #1.. Son moves out! Pretty insensitive if you ask me!! As Happy said.. "doesn't his own s&^%# stink?" It's a natural thing we ALL have to do.. I remember my dad.. whoa.. he smelled like he was dying from the inside out!! He also had crohn's.. but never needed an ostomy.. We made fun and light of it... It's not like something any of us on earth can control!

#2... yup... M9, little blue drops work well... also the tic tacs...

#3... A mixture of water and Vodka!! When you are done spritzing around the house, with and unmarked bottle... Take the spray top off and have a swig of it.. right in front of your son!!!! Tell him you are deodorizing your insides too!! I'm being silly of course.. but.. the water/vodka is accurate!! Works for skunk smell too.. 1:1 ratio on carpets/couches that animals have sat on..
For the air freshner... mix 1 part vodka 3 parts water... If not enough to clear the air.. add additional vodka to mix..

#4.. Also mixture of vinegar and water... but.. the vodka works better.. and you can drink it!!

Hope something or a combination of some of our advice, will work for you and manage to squash your son's comments!
Good luck!!!
Mare

• By JRo12
• Reply 3442390
• October 8, 2012 at 8:51 pm
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Hello Kristin,

I feel for you. I can't say anything about your son living with you because I am 41 myself and on the verge of possibly losing my job and if that happens I would be one check away from being homeless and finding myself living with my parents again.

However he does need to be a bit more sympathetic and tolerant. It is nothing you can help if it was we would all be doing it. I have to say though I had much more of a stinky problem when I didn't have the colostomy. My gosh you could smell me from a mile away and god bless my friends and family would take it in stride just saying well we know Janet's here ; - ) But no matter how great everyone was I was so concious of it and felt bad. I would just always carry around a spray bottle and jak open a window.

So all in all I don't have any advice, sorry about that, but hopefully just wanted to let you know your not alone and to put a smile on your face if not at least a little grin : - )

Hang in there girl it will all work itself out.

• By tjane
• Reply 3442405
• October 8, 2012 at 8:55 pm
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Mare I learned something new from you. Never heard of using vodka. I have done the vinegar before. Probably won't do the vodka cause I dont keep alcohol around. Once in awhile I will make some Kalua or buy a sample bottle. Never did learn to like the taste of alcohol. lol

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3443038
• October 9, 2012 at 4:31 am
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Years ago I was invited to stay the night by some people I was doing business with. I arrived at around 6 pm and when the door opened I was knocked over by the strong smell of Cat, pee and their Tom was spraying all over the place. As I got my breath my hosts said, "Oh, you smoke" "Yes and you have cats" - "But they don't smell" I suppose this is the first time I realised (so did they) that we tend not to be affected by stuff we do and are used to.

We are aware of smell because we carry a bag with it locked in. Actually it's no worse than that produced by someone with regular plumbing. Shit stinks - it's a fact and no one with a bag or without can alter that. If others showed as much concern for others as the average ostomate this world would smell a whole lot better.

As a boy I had snow white hair, my sister was ginger- we got teased because we were different. Just because people grow up does not mean that many of them don't keep some of the more revolting mind-sets they had as children. Be proud of yourself and feel sorry for those who are so shallow that they can only feel good about themselves by being spiteful to others.

As for going out, I do that everyday and grab my bag on the way. Since starting work way back in the last century I have always grabbed a bag which contained (depending on age and position) my lunch, umbrella, bottle of juice, fold up rain coat, business papers, pocket atlas, train timetable - and now a wafer, couple of bags, deodorant spray and a some wipes and refuse bags. I don't feel it's difficult or an imposition. Which brings me back to your son. If you let someone put you down you will feel down about everything. I have no problem with positive criticism indeed I welcome it - however I do have a huge problem with destructive comments designed to hurt and not help. The only thing I know for certain about people who claim to be sensitive is that their sensitivity is centred on self and is a result of a mean spirit and self obsession. You have so much to be pleased and happy about and so much to be proud of too - go out and strut.

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3443121
• October 9, 2012 at 6:40 am
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Terri... I don't drink vodka either.. but do buy it to make Kahlua when I do.. but haven't made that in a couple of years.

Happy... Great post!!

• By alan41241
• Reply 3443271
• October 9, 2012 at 8:14 am
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I have an option. Tell him to MOVE. It's your apartment. The rules should be yours. Not his.
Blessings,
Alan

• By alan41241
• Reply 3443283 · In reply to 3440716 by HappyS
• October 9, 2012 at 8:18 am
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Love it HappyS!!! I've met people like that. Always made me want to bitch-slap them real good.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Bergy
• Reply 3443460
• October 9, 2012 at 9:14 am
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Son needs get out. How hurtful and ungrateful.

• By tjane
• Reply 3443462
• October 9, 2012 at 9:14 am
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Alan too funny. Mare I use brandy. 4c sugar 4c water 2oz coffee 1/5 bottle of brandy and a vanilla bean. You must use vodka instead of brandy. I havnt made any of years either.

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3443591
• October 9, 2012 at 9:47 am
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Alan, very funny. My husband uses that phrase all the time! lol

I have adult children living at home as well (in their 20s) and I tell mine that they chose to live in my house and they are not going to criticize because it is not their house! I dont understand why adult children think they can tell their parents what to do when they are living in the parents house. Great that theythink they are adults but as my husband said how adult is it to live with your parents???? I know things have changed and I dont mind them living with us but their opinions should be kept to themselves unless we ask them. Tell him if he dislikes the odor so much there is the door, you will help him pack!

• By Hunt
• Reply 3443695
• October 9, 2012 at 10:19 am
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Hi,

One more thing you can try. I get chlorophyll (spelling?) from puritans pride. I take one of a morning and one at night. They have been a big help. I do not need as much of the drops and sprays as I used to.

I agree with the others, tell him to not let the door hit him in the ass on his way out. We all do what we have to do, but do not let him bully you that way. He has not walked in your shoes.

Be good to you.

Lois

• By alan41241
• Reply 3443698
• October 9, 2012 at 10:20 am
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And don't let the door hit him in the ass on his way out!!!

I'm still at a loss for words to describe what I think of an adult, live-in child who thinks he can insult his mother and somehow that's okay. It wouldn't be okay if you were living in his house much less the other way around.

I know you love him. I would, too. I have a daughter who is 45 years old and when she comes to visit me my rules apply.

Blessings,
Alan