What supplies to take when go out for the day during first few weeks?

• By pjs62
• Reply 3302587
• August 19, 2012 at 12:26 am
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Hello!! I have an ostomy but what we need may be similar. I always have with me a small make up bag that has a wafer, pouch, personal wipes, plastic gloves. Then I have my emergency kit (larger make up bag) for when I'll be gone longer or alittle farther from home! lol I take 2 wafers, 2 pouches, personal wipes, gloves, plastic bag (for disposing), hand sanitizer, pair of panties. I feel better to have more then I need then to be caught unprepared. Make sure to keep your emergency kit in a cool place too.

Hope this helps. I'm fairly new to all this too so for me its been trail & error plus asking lots of questions!!

• By Mbauman6
• Reply 3302637 · In reply to 3302587 by pjs62
• August 19, 2012 at 1:03 am
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thanks so much for the information. I am just trying to make sure I buy whatever I need before I go into hospital I can't imagine my husband going to look for these things.

good luck and thanks again

• By Angeldust75006
• Reply 3303241
• August 19, 2012 at 10:57 am
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I have had Hortense for about 2 1/2 years and I still go nowhere without my kit(extra wafer,three bags,wet wipes and an extra pair of undies)..I don't have to worry now about how long I am gone from home..it will get easier..just think of it as preparing a diaper bag for a day out with a baby..lol
Charlotte

• By alan41241
• Reply 3303596
• August 19, 2012 at 1:13 pm
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I carry a change of everything including clothes either in my car or in a little case I carry into wherever I'm going. It's too hot to leave the pouch and all that goes with in the car.
Blessings,
Alan

• By lilymyiley
• Reply 3303785
• August 19, 2012 at 2:44 pm
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I ALWAYS carry my emergency kit with me. I have two flanges, two pouches, adhesive remover, skin prep, baby wipes, plastic bag and a plastic backed pad (blue pad) to protect my legs when changing the appliance. My ostomy nurse set up the basics of this kit while I was still recovering in the hospital. Hollister provided the carrying case.
Don't leave it in the car where it will be subject to heat and cold. There may be times when it will be faster for you to use a public washroom rather than going back to your car out in the parking lot.
Never leave it behind, even if you are only going out for a couple of moments.

• By chris082
• Reply 3303910
• August 19, 2012 at 3:28 pm
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I have only had my ostomy 4 weeks. I made the mistake of going out shopping w/ only one change of bag and supplies. Bad decision. I ended up having a huge leakage once and then again in the care on the way home. My daughter had to buy me some clothes so I could walk out of the store to get to the car. My advice would be to always have 2 set-ups w/ you. A spare change of clothes in the car and some towels to sit on are a good idea. Or you could have depends pads in the car for emergencies. Another suggestion I have is to always have oder eliminator w/ you so you don't stink out the whole rest room. And, one final thing that I carry w/ my are doggie dodo bags. Sounds weird, but it gives you an easy way to put all of the stinky stuff in and tie it shut and through in the trash in the rest room. Hope any of this helps. I sure is a big adjustment and changes your life, but I am making my way through w/ support from my family, friends and a faithful God.

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3305190
• August 20, 2012 at 5:05 am
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Hi Mbauman6,

First, good luck with the operation and welcome to the club!

If I'm just going for a short walk or trip I carry the following which fits in a small bag.

2 spare bags and wafers, 2 sachets each, adhesive remover and skin prep,
1 tube of Antiseptic liquid for hands, 1 Air fresh spray (small), 2 Disposal bags
Gauze and a packet of tissues, Roll of medical tape, Torch (flash-light).

I agree with Alan that anywhere other than short trips one should carry clothes too. I keep experimenting with lightweight things that fold small, although it's difficult in the winter.

• By bella129
• Reply 3306035
• August 20, 2012 at 12:13 pm
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I can tell from the advice that I need to take more supplies when leaving home for a short or longer trip. Thanks all for you expertise.

• By jazjjmado4
• Reply 3306761
• August 20, 2012 at 4:42 pm
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well I have had mine for 3 yrs now and am really quite good about things and now that I no longer have the nephrostomy tubes just the colostomy you would think it would be a little easier but now at 54 I literally need to pack a diaper bag. Well hubby and I were in the Black Hills of SD and it was a hot day and we checked into the motel I changed everything that needed changing and we decided to take the trolley down to the casino's in Deadwood about 1 mile away no biggy well I decided I have not had anything majoe or minor happen to me in a year or so so I left my bag (purse) on the bed so that I would not have to worry about leaving it in a casino as we wondered around so off we went after about 3 hours everything still good no problems we decide to go have supper well for some reason I got the worst panic attack ever I was so worried that what if something happened and here I am around 100's of people on and on until I made myself so sick with worry that I had to leave the resturant after we had ordered and go back to the resturant my poor hubby waited a bit until the food came then he got it to go and came right to the room shortly after me becuase he was worrie (bless his heart) well needless to say don't ever go anywhere without you comfort bag as you just never know when you will need it LOL we even take mine on the boat and everywhere so I won't have another panic attack like that.

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3308097 · In reply to 3306761 by jazjjmado4
• August 21, 2012 at 4:29 am
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Know just how you feel Jaz, I have a theory that provided your prepared you will never need the equipment. I keep a pack in the car, one at the office and of course one I carry with me. Of course it's not 100% you wont need the pack if you have them but it works most of the time.

• By Whzbang
• Reply 3308160
• August 21, 2012 at 6:44 am
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There are great suggestions here and you will get some nice supply bags from the different pouch system suppliers if you sign up for their free trials. What stood out from your post was the fact you have appointments just two weeks after your surgery! take it easy during your recovery. This is major surgery and it will hurt. You will need time for complete rest with no lifting for a couple of weeks at least. Taking really good care of yourself post-op will go a long way towards a better recovery and better attitude. Give yourself permission to "do nothing" and accept help from others while you recover.
Best wishes for a successful surgery!
Cindy

• By Mbauman6
• Reply 3310765
• August 22, 2012 at 1:16 am
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I had my surgery today at 9 am. I am so so so sore and trying to keep up with the pain medication. They ended up retaining my colon since I was having ileostomy from spinal cord injury. I am having trouble urinating after surgery. I haven't been able to go at all. Has anyone else had this problem. Other than being completely sore and having trouble urinating I am in good spirits. They let me put on "real" pjs and that makes you feel more that home. My stoma is 1 1/4 inches. Does anyone know if it will get smaller or much smaller like closer to 1 inch? This site has kept me in good spirits and I don't think I would be as mentally prepared as I am right now. I know today wasn't perfect but I couldn't of asked for better care and caring nurses. Tomorrow I have a feeling is going to be a tough day.

• By prettykitty
• Reply 3310865
• August 22, 2012 at 2:52 am
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Keep with you at least 2 wafers and pouches, barrier paste or barrier rings for each wafer, a travel pack of baby wipes, disposable gloves, skin prep wipes or adhesive remover wipes, and disposal bags that come with ostomy pouches (Hollister has these with their products). You can even use the disposal bag as a carrying pack for the appliances. I always keep these basic things in my wheelchair bag for those "just in case" times. After all, most of the time, ostomies have a mind of their own and will leak with you least expect it.

• By MsJearl
• Reply 3310873
• August 22, 2012 at 3:02 am
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Hello Mbauman6,
I have had an ileostomy and urostomy for about 30 years. I have learned and believe it or not still learning the ins and outs. But as far as traveling I ALWAYS carry extra supplies. Some supplies depending on how big my purse, I put in small sandwich bag and put in my pocket book. But in some cases I carry a small supply case and put my extra supplies in. I just go to a Walmart or Target and get a small case, usually you can find in pocketbook section. I keep extra supplies at work as well just in case.

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3310903 · In reply to 3310765 by Mbauman6
• August 22, 2012 at 4:11 am
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Hi Mbauman6,

Congratulations - you sound really good for a new born!

I had a catheter for urine (for the first few days) so can't help on the urinating issue. Your stoma sounds fine. For up to six months it will change and shrink a bit although everyone is different in this respect. Once its found its correct size you can get the hole cut but until then you will need to cut the wafer yourself. Make sure it's a snug fit (but not tight) so you don't get leaks and burning.

You are doing incredibly well - taske it easy, rest and eat well.

• By prettykitty
• Reply 3310915
• August 22, 2012 at 4:41 am
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I wanted to also mention to you that Hollister will send you a free carrying case if you contact them. This way, all of your ostomy supplies will be in the same spot and easily accessable.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3310994
• August 22, 2012 at 6:56 am
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Mbauman6, congratulations, you've come through the hardest part.

I, too, had a catherter after surgery for three days. When it was removed, I could urinate just fine. Thankfully! I understand many men have a urinary problem after this kind of surgery and I did and still am. I go too often. Before I saw my urologist, I was going as much as 25 times a day. He put me on Vesicare 5mg and that seems to have helped. Although, the stream is only about half what it used to be.

You sound a lot like me in that you're feeling so good the same day as your surgery. I was told I would wake up in CCU but I was doing so well that my surgeon put me in a private room instead. I wasn't even sore after surgery. Many staples down my middle and they look horrible but I think a week after I got home (I was in the hospital for eight days) they were removed. That didn't feel so hot but I survived it.

I'm now a little over five months post-op and feel great. No ongoing problems except the urinary one. The pouch and changing it have become second nature to me like brushing my teeth. I hated it at first and was terribly depressed but my ostomy nurse told me she would be worried about me if I were not depressed. That told me that eveybody is after surgery.

Remember to be good to yourself. Take it easy. This was major, major surgery and it will take time to heal and get back to normal with your strength. My surgeon told me six months to a year. I'm feeling pretty good right now after only five months. But everybody is different and everybody heals differently. Keep posting. We are all interested in your progress.

Blessings,
Alan

• By wjt
• Reply 3311358
• August 22, 2012 at 9:18 am
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. . . always keep a change of clothing in the car . . . .even later . . in case . . .also, keep enough supplies for one or two complete pouch changes . . . . plus the plastic bags to dispose . . I USE BLACK BAGS FOR DISGRESSION . . IT IS MORE FOR PEACE OF MIND THAN FOR ACTUAL USE . . . . .HOWEVER, EVERY NOW AND THEN . . .

• By Whzbang
• Reply 3311395 · In reply to 3310765 by Mbauman6
• August 22, 2012 at 9:33 am
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Ouch, and congratulations on your successful surgery. I had a catheter the first day, but then no trouble peeing afterwards. Every body reacts differently to the trauma of surgery, but the one thing it needs is rest during this time of healing. The nurses really encouraged me to use the push-button pain meds while in the hospital. I always used to resist but recognized how the pain kept my body tense and that interferes with healing and causes even more stress! My stoma started at 1 1/4" too, then shrank to 1 1/8, then got bigger again!
Best wishes for a good recovery.
Cindy

• By tjane
• Reply 3311756
• August 22, 2012 at 11:34 am
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My stoma shrank about 1/4 inch and also retracted a bit. It takes a good 6 weeks for it to stop changing shapes. But eventualy it will stop and you will be left with your permanate size and you will be able to get a pre cut bag so you wont have to cut to size anymore. Glad to hear you are doing so well.