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First road trip this Friday!

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Posted 3/26/2013 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

Hope everyone is doing well! I am now 3 weeks postop and feeling really good. Suddenly, things seem handleable.

In any case, I am going on my first road trip this Friday. My grandparents live about a 6 hour drive away and they really want to see me before I go back to Philly to finish up school so I'm making the trio with my family. Since I haven't done it before, I wanted to ask you guys, any advice?

I plan to take 3 sets of supplies for changes though I'm only going fur the weekend so theoretically I shouldn't have to change at all. I imagine I'll need to stop during the trip to empty at least once along the way, but I think that'll be ok. It'll be my first empty in a public place!

Anything else I should keep in mind? And wish me luck!

Have a fabulous day today. Do something just for yourself :).
Posted 3/26/2013 8:11 AM (GMT 0)
YAY!! For road trips! I am also planning my first road trip post surgery. We will be leaving the day after my check up with my surgeon, and it will be exactly 3 weeks post op for me on that day. Our drive is a little over 7 hours, and the trip will probably be a week or more. So, I have a lot of the same questions as you do, I suppose.

I plan on taking way too many supplies!! I need to order some actually. I am also going to take some food that I know is totally safe, just to have some things I know I can eat with no problem, no matter what. Though, eating really hasn't been an issue.

As far as emptying in a public place, I've done it twice now and it's not bad at all. Have you been measuring your output? I am, and that is the only weird part to me about emptying in public. Carrying the bin I measure in and hoping the restroom is empty so that I can rinse it out. If you aren't measuring, public empties are a breeze, just don't drop your pouch clip on the floor, and be sure to carry an extra one with you!

Hopefully we both have awesome first trips and can collect lots of good advice before we hit the road!
Posted 3/26/2013 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Whenever I know I'm going to be away from the house for several hours, and this includes many roads trips, I carry a bag with all the supplies I'd need in an emergency. This includes a couple of ostomy bags , barrier rings, wipes, a small squirt bottle with water for cleanup and some odor eliminator. The squirt bottle is a key item for me since I feel much cleaner if I can get the inside end of the bag rinsed out. Before I leave the house I always empty and typically I don't have to empty again for 3-4 hours but knowing I have the supplies I need makes me enjoy my outings with no worries.
Posted 3/26/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
A good rule of thumb is to bring double the amount of supplies you will need when on a trip. That way, even if it's user error, you have a few extra to work with.

You will find that you won't have to do anything differently than before. You'll probably have to stop for gas which everyone in the car will go to the bathroom...not just you! Good idea to bring food you know if good for you and you won't have to worry.

As far as emptying in a public bathroom, I empty standing up (bend one knee a little). I put a little TP in the bowl, trying to keep it in the shallow part of the bowl, and empty on top of that. I just don't like public toilets and try to have contact with the least amount of items possible...

UCWhat? did you know you can get pouches with Velcro closures? No clips to keep track of!!

Most importantly...Have FUN!
Posted 3/26/2013 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am only 2 weeks out of surgery, so have only used the supplies I was given at the hospital. My ostomy nurse did tell me about velcro closures and I am quite sure I will prefer those over clips once I try them. I was going to order supplies for the first time today or tomorrow....but for now was told to stick with what I have been using because my stoma is far from settling down. So...I guess I have to stick with clips for now, but am anxious to start experimenting with all the other products are out there.
Posted 3/26/2013 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I second everything Equestrian Mom said. I empty my usual way even in public (sitting far back on the toilet seat so there's room to empty between my legs) but I think I got over my squeamishness about sitting on public toilets from having to use public toilets about 10000 times ;)

If you haven't ridden in a car much yet you might have some trouble finding a comfortable position for the seatbelt across your lap relative to your stoma and pouch. In the early days I used a small pillow or just wadded up my jacket to cushion things.

Finally, regarding velcro pouches... many appliance systems have pouches that are exactly the same except they have velcro closures instead of clip closures. For example I wear a Hollister 2-piece (same thing they put on me in the hospital), but as soon as I was discharged I switched from the clip bag to the velcro. It is SO much easier. Also, *while I was in the hospital* a nurse was showing me how to use the clip and it came apart in her hands!!! I never wanted to rely upon a clip again!
Posted 3/26/2013 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes to liz;s first paragraph. that's how I empty too.

UCwhat - you do not have to stick with bags just because your stoma is settling down. That is completely ridiculous. You can use a two piece system. What matters to your new stoma is the wafer, not the bag. What matters to you for ease of use, is the bag.

And I had to use a clip thing once, in a hospital, after a surgery. Absolutely unacceptable in my mind. No way, I felt it was secure. And sure enough I always dropped the stupid clip.
Velcro it is all the way. And extra secure velcro closures like the coloplast sensura ones.

And ekta.. remember when traveling... stay hydrated. I oftentimes find I don't concsiously drink as much when traveling as when on my home turf.

and UCwhat.. why are you still measuring output? Just empty the darn thing. And even if for some reason you doctors are insistent on you measuring output, you should be able to guess by now, just based on how full your bag is when emptying. No need to bring measuring cups with you on a trip!
Posted 3/27/2013 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
My stoma is CRAZY BIG right now, due to excess swelling in general because I was in such poor health and so malnourished before surgery....I am still getting all of that back and it is slowing my healing. Due to those factors, and a rough in home care nurse, my stoma has some trauma/ulcerations/bleeding and I was advised to stick with the system I have now simply because I am used to it and can manage it with little further trauma to my poor stoma. Mostly I have to wait to try a 2 piece a little while longer, but I suppose I could order the velcro version of the pouch I have now. I haven't done ordering at all yet and need to get on it.

And yes, I am still measuring output. Again, my situation is a bit extreme due to health factors, and I have no problem measuring my output to be sure everything is OK. It still varies A LOT, and I am only 2 weeks post surgery tomorrow. I've had amusing experiences trying to empty/measure in public restrooms! :) I certainly won't mind taking the stuff with me to do it at my brother's house. Really, the worst part of the road trip will be getting in and out of the car...that's probably the hardest thing to do right now!

Liz....How was the date!? ;)
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