Practising Self-Love With A Stoma

Love, the word used to describe an intense feeling of affection for something or someone. Can you really feel that for a stoma? Gratitude – yes. Appreciation – yes. But to love it is something I have only known a few to say. You may have suffered a great deal before getting your stoma, causing you to truly love your stoma as a result, if it means you get some normality back and live without being in so much pain. You may be in the camp where you struggle to accept your stoma. Looking at it may be difficult, uncomfortable, and hard to accept. Whatever camp you are in, practising self love is more important than ever in the circumstances.

Take a look at the following for some inspiration to give your stoma some self love:

Give your stoma some air time

This is something that can be quite daunting at first. The thought of your stoma being active with no bag and being covered in its contents isn’t the best feeling in the world, but preparing in advance for air time to happen is the best way around it. The optimum time would be a few hours after eating to minimise an accident. I also do it before a shower so I know I am going to have a wash after it anyway whichever way it’s going to go! Have dry wipes to hand for mopping up and try to be in a room with a wipeable floor. Take it from me who has been raising a boy with a stoma from a few weeks old, your carpets won’t thank you for it! When you find a time that works, you can either take the chance to relax, read a book, have a scroll or do some odd jobs.

Use the right supplies

Your stoma deserves the best products. This can be different for everyone depending on your skin, type of stoma and the shape and size of it. I myself use the Firm Convex ModaVi One Piece. The soft mouldable base plate means I forget I have a bag most of the time and the firm convex design adapts well to the low sitting position of my stoma. If you are having regular leaks or irritation, whether they are regular or less so, you should not be experiencing this and you are within your rights to try a different bag. Ask your stoma nurse and go to Pelican Healthcare if you would like to test the ModaVi yourself to request samples.

Carry out regular checks

Peristomal skin care should be top of your stoma self care list. Keeping it dry, healthy and irritation free is the goal. More difficult when you first have surgery as you heal and find the right bag for your skin. You need to allow time for your skin to adapt to a bag adhering to your skin, and leaks if you experience them as you find the right bag for you. Your skin will not be used to the acidity of your stool in contact with it. This may cause soreness and redness which if not treated may cause the skin to break down and become very very sore. Absorb capsules from Respond Healthcare was my go to for me and my boy as we have high output ileostomies where the consistency of output is very watery. The absorb capsules when added to your pouch solidifies excess fluid and neutralises odour.

Social media detox

Social media is a wonderful thing. I have connected with so many of you through it and I wouldn’t be without it, however it can become toxic depending on your mental well being. Life brings you unexpected bumps in the road and as a result, some content may make you feel negatively as a result when it previously did not. Whether it be body confidence, relationships, work prospects, health or friendships, if things aren’t going right, content promoting these in a positive way can be very triggering. Do a regular cleanse of your feed and unfollow any accounts that don’t serve you anymore. Your feelings may change further down the line and you can always follow them again.

Wardrobe detox

Stoma surgery caused me to go out and buy extra large clothes and panic that I would never be able to wear jeans again. Oh how wrong was I! I am more confident now to try styles I wouldn’t have before. There are so many great ostomates to follow showing what they wear and support wear to match for inspiration. There are certainly some things I don’t wear anymore as my style has changed, and I prefer a high waistline which I got rid of after the recovery period and everything settled. I also follow the rule that if I haven’t worn something for 6 months I give it to charity. You deserve to open your wardrobe and know everything fits and makes you feel good wearing it. Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration include:

Until next time, Rach x

Meet the blogger: Rachel

Rachel is a part time baker and healthcare blogger who started raising awareness of stoma surgery following the birth of her son Jake. Jake was born with the same condition as Rachel, Hirschsprungs Disease. The disease affects 1 in 10,000 births in the UK every year, where the ganglion cells…