Holidaying with multiple ostomates

Holidaying with multiple ostomates 

As I type this, we have just come back from our first holiday as a family of four, with three of us with a stoma. I won’t lie, I was quite apprehensive. My eldest is 8 and I know the drill with a baby, but having a baby and an older one, and myself to deal with was a lot! Here is how we prepared as best we could:

Medication

If you are a family with monthly medicine prescriptions, there is nothing worse than getting a script in and waiting for it to be sorted and your medication not being ready. I can’t remember a month where I haven’t had a ring the GP. There is always an issue, and quite frankly it’s draining! I have even gone as far as changing doctors multiple times, to realising they are all the same with lack of staff, budgets, and not enough working hours. These things are unfortunately commonplace, and I appreciate there is no simple fix. To allow for this, I ensure when we go away that if it is around the time when we need to request the next months or need to collect some, that I ask for two months at a time before we go. They are always understanding when I explain, and it saves the panic when you are drowning in post holiday washing, and getting back into your normal routine. It really has helped to give me one less thing to worry about, straight away when returning home if the dates overlap and there is a risk of being without. 

Stoma supplies

The age old question, how much of your supplies do you need to take? I knew for this holiday we would go swimming a lot, which already means enough for two stoma bag changes a day, as we all change our bags every 24 hours. Having a high output ileostomy, and it being a very warm summer, I don’t take any chances with the kids and keep changing once a day. This protects their peristomal skin, and prevents any embarrassing situations in school. 

I invested in some storage cubes for this holiday. I totally got sucked in by an Instagram advert and I’m not mad about it at all! I find them so much better to use for taking supplies away, with see through style storage, different sizes for the bags themselves, and then the accessory products. I made sure to make us a changing bag each, and then one larger bag with extra bags and black waste bags and gauze. I will definitely be using this method again, instead of lots of toiletry bags. When trying to decide who’s stoma bag to change first out of the pool, it went with the most vulnerable first.

Extra products 

Flange extenders are what they say on the tin… an extension to your base plate/flange. When you are away from home and you are more active than normal from your day job, that extra bit of security makes all the difference mentally. Physically, if there was a leak to happen it buys you more time. Win win! One thing I didn’t account for is the need for more black bags for the emptying we needed to do when we weren’t near facilities. That was interesting, and I won’t be making that mistake again!

Accessibility 

You would need to check where you are staying, but you may find your medical needs means you qualify for accessible accommodation. The toilets can be larger which in turn will make bag changes much easier than being restricted in the new environment away from home. If you need radar keys to access disabled toilets where you are going, be sure to check in case you need to get one. These can be purchased online quite easily. The Sunflower Lanyard is always a quick and easy addition to your outfit, to ensure it is clear you need to use such facilities and you may need some support. Again, head online to the website here. 

Enjoy it!

Above all else, make sure you take every opportunity and try not to let your stoma hold you back. It can be daunting doing firsts such as swimming, long walks, and being active in the heat. There is only ever a first time, and the learning never stops. Reach out to people and ask for advice and support if you need it. Confide in your travel partners and lean on them. Take all the supplies, and if over packing makes you feel better then do it! Take photos, go in the hot tub, eat yummy food. You deserve it!

Until next time,
Rach x