HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How much supplies will I need?

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/24/2011 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Just a quick question, I am going on a cruise in November for 12 days and I'm not sure how much in the way of supplies I should bring with me. I know I will be doing lots of swimming so I am going to be using some of the hydro frames for added security and I do use the 2 piece pouches with paste. I don't want to go overkill on the amount of supplies to bring but also don't want to be left short. Any suggestions on what I should take? Your input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks guys

Doreen

Posted 9/24/2011 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Doreen,

It sounds like that's going to be a wonderful vacation! I would bring 12 wafers and pouches, even though you won't need that much, and make sure to keep them with you (not in checked luggage).

The reason I say that is because I had a dream the other night where I was at the airport heading to Sweden (where my mom lives) and went to the bathroom before boarding the plane. I sat down to pee and noticed that my wafer had leaked! All of my supplies were in my checked luggage, so I started to panic. Luckily, there was a medicine cabinet in the bathroom that had ostomy supplies (gotta love dreamland! smilewinkgrin) so I was able to put a new wafer and pouch on before getting on the plane. When I woke up, I thought about how that really could happen anytime and that I should always keep a wafer change in my purse, because I never know when I might need it! So far, in 5 years, I've never had a leak in public, but it could happen.

Cecilia
Posted 9/24/2011 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
ha ha that's a funny dream Cece :) and the ostomy supplies on the plain fit just right to your stoma? lol

i would take as much as Cece said, but also, don't you use sureseals? those are great for swimming :)

have a GREAT time!!!
Posted 9/25/2011 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
yes, it was a perfect fit with no cutting required! lol
Posted 9/25/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Well I went earlier on a 5 day cruise with 3 days in charleston before hand, so gone for a total of 8 days, and I took 20 precut wafers and bags and such, plus the 2 I keep in my pocketbook,I used 2. And wouldn't have had to use but one but I didn't want to push it, lol. We are going on a 7 day next year and will probably do the same, it made me feel better to have that many.
On land I don't worry that much I can always go to a hosptital worse case scenario, but on a boat there's not a big supply! Logically 12 would probably be good. Have fun!
Posted 9/25/2011 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
hahahaha Cece, i love it!
Posted 9/25/2011 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hodaya,
I have always wanted to cruise the Mediterranean and visit Israel. I will let you know when I go, because I would love to meet you! :-)
Cece
Posted 9/25/2011 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
oh i would LOVE that Cece!!! i'd be THRILLED!!! it would be so very much exciting!!!
Posted 9/26/2011 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your help everyone :-) , I am going to be cruising the pacific Islands, but would love to cruise the Mediterranean as well and meet you too. Would be great if we could all catch up at some stage. Thanks again
Doreen
Posted 9/26/2011 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
yeah!!! we all should do an ostomy cruise together :D
Posted 9/26/2011 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
that would be so much fun!! :-) and we wouldn't have to worry about running out of supplies... even if the boat was shipwrecked... because we would bring enough to last for years!!
Posted 9/26/2011 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
LOL :-) Very true Cece, and yes Hodaya an ostomy cruise could be on the cards. It would definately be worth saving for, we would have a great time
Posted 9/26/2011 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Doreen,

I have never been on a cruise, but I did recently have to pack supplies for a 7-night/8-day backpacking trip. My husband and I actually took a tourist train part of the way and got dropped off 2.5 hours into the train's route deep in the wilderness far from any roads. Then we hike 6 more miles in. I was definitely a long, long way from any supplies. Fortunately, I had done shorter backpacking trips throughout the summer and knew what to expect. My wafers never leaked or peeled off no matter how much I sweated on those early trips, so I was pretty sure I didn't need to go overboard with supplies which was important as I had to carry everything on my back. I knew I would have two planned changes on the trip (since I change twice a week), and then I brought 4 more sets of wafers/drainables/Eakins for a total of 6 sets just in case something unexpected happened. I also brought 25 closed-end pouches which I used when climbing peaks and lots of baggies for packing stuff out. This ended up being plenty of supplies, and I never had to use my extra wafers and drainables.

Hope you have a great trip!

-Heidi
Posted 9/27/2011 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
We are taking a cruise in Nov  also for a week which will be our first vacation since the surgery.

He changes every 3-4 days but even at that we are taking 7 wafers (he is now using the one piece system coloplast) along with skin prep, powder, sure seals etc.

The complimentary travel pouch we got from Hollister I have packed also to keep with me for "just in case" as a security blanket...lol.

I did get a prescription for cipro to have on hand after speaking with the Dr's nurse just in case he were to get ill on the ship with any kind of stomach or intestinal type thing.  I am sure he will be fine but just didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere and need it.  The ship would have IV's on it if a dehydration situation were to occur is my guess.  He rolls his eyes and thinks I overthink everything but that's me wanting to just "be prepared".

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply