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Accessories

So I absolutely despise the term accessory when it comes to ostomy products, because it sounds as if they are items you don;t always need. Yet to some people certain items become essential to having a good seal or be the difference between their skin being health or sore. On Twitter recently a company tweeted about items being called dependable’s and I just shouted YES (internally of course because no-one else would understand in my house!) sadly I can’t remember the name of the company but when I find it I will update this post. I think the items other than your appliance itself come under four categories and what falls in each category is different for each person because...

Having an ostomy can feel like one thing after another and it isn’t always fun and games. We go through the possible minefields of finding out what foods agree with us and wont cause us blockages to trying to stay hydrated enough. The one thing new and old ostomates often find a struggle is getting the right appliance and routine that works for you. On my personal blog have reviewed all the different bags I have tried over the last three years and the main thing I have learnt is having the right items doesn’t always have to be from the same brand or even the same items each time; I have a bit of a pick and mix going...

So what do I mean when I say “flush”? Well it basically means how close your stoma sits to the skin on your abdomen. You often see people with stoma’s (not generally urostomies) that have quite a protruding stoma and that isn’t because of a prolapse but just the length the surgeon created it to be. I have often found that with people I have spoken too the ones with longer stomas tend to have had a loop surgery. This basically means everything is still attached inside but their stoma is formed whilst their insides are healing, this can be temporary or some people have it like that for as long as they feel comfortable with. My ileostomy is very...

Do you find that some of the products you can get from your delivery/appliance companies to hold your ostomy items seems a bit clinical or not quite your style? Well a new company called Beyond Definition has come up with a new way to carry your supplies that don’t look clinical and are both unisex and well made. I was gifted both their essentials case and the venture case and I think they are really beautiful and look quite classy in plain black leather. The attention to detail is also really nice for instance the company name is embossed onto the case and their logo is on the press studs. It’s the little things that really make an item in...

 hopefully won’t have to use this either ever again (wishful thinking) or very rarely but I have spent a good chunk of my life in and out of hospital and I have learnt a thing or two that was helpful for admissions. So I thought for those who may be new to chronic illness I would do a little post on what I do for those just in case moments. I always have a bag packed because if I am in a lot of pain I really don’t want to be faffing about packing a bag, plus since having my ostomy 00Steve doesn’t know what I use – now don’t get me wrong he would definitely grab me some bags but...

This week I would like to talk to you about how you store your ostomy supplies! This is very individual and there is no right or wrong way to store your bits and bobs and sometimes can depend on how much space you have available to you and how many supplies you need at any one time. I myself have two systems I use in my house with regards to having limited space – an upright small wicker set of drawers in my bathroom that sits just to the right of my sink – this holds all of my “in use” items which means at any one time there should be enough for three bag changes. I top up these...

Christmas can be an already hectic time of year for all of us worrying about supplies and having enough could also be a worry so I have compiled a list of supplies and their last dates for ordering supplies although sadly some have already passed. If this is the case please get in touch with your stoma nurse and see if they would be able to give you a box to tide you over. Most of us shouldn’t really need that many extra supplies as the festive season isn’t that long so if you are going to order or grab some more supplies be mindful it shouldn’t be a case of stockpiling items but just what you need. Let’s face...

Do you find you get a fair few boxes once you have used your supplies? Have you ever thought of a use for them rather than just putting them in the recycling? Well I have come up with an idea to make use of them! Now this does have to do with my daughters reception teacher asking for recycling for their “creation station”. I was chatting to her about the fact I have little boxes that my Varimate Wedges and other ostomy “accessories” came in, which she was saying was pretty perfect for the kids creation area. I just happened to mention that my stoma bags come in boxes a bit smaller than shoe boxes and she said they would...