Hooping in the Hoosier state with a stoma

March Madness is here and it makes me understand that I grew up in a Hoosier state for sure.  The love of sports and basketball is born into you here.  I must say that sports can come in all shapes and sizes.  But there are some complications and things that come into play when you have a stoma.  These complications are in some ways way overblown and I think that the reality is that those with a stoma are able to participate in the vast majority of midwest sports at a very high level.  I just want to go over a few sports that I have been in and yes my stoma has joined me for them all.  No one should lose hope about being active or having fun outside just because they got a stoma.

Basketball is my jam.  I play it all the time.   This is not simply a sport, but a lifestyle in my part of the country.  I love playing basketball and have done so ever since I was a young child.  It is literally something that you grow up with.  Now my Ostomy came into my life as a young adult.  This means that I went through my 20's with a stoma and was still very active in basketball.  It was something that took me a while to jump back into if I am being totally honest.  I was really afraid of having gear failures and seals stop working when I was on the court.  Fears are real and this was one for me.

My being able to work on new gear at home really helped me. I got lots of different ostomy bags in different sizes and with different shaped seals.  It took me a while to first be able to actively move safely after surgery.  But once I started to build up my muscles again I got into shooting around in my driveway.  After months of playing mostly alone, I finally started to venture out into the real world.  I started very slow and now am back to playing full-court games at my local gym.  Stoma covers and small bags with a belt have been my go-to for a long time.

Believe it or not, though I am actually also a huge hunter.  his is a diehard sport in many families and it can be rather physical.  The idea of deer dragging seemed nearly impossible after my surgery. I feared I would never be outside in the woods hunting with my family ever again.  But my work actually playing basketball and going to the gym ended up building up enough strength for me to feel confident.  I had to be able to climb up deer stand ladders with my ostomy equipment and know that I won't have any issues. That is key. 

Hunting has to do with smell and an osotmy bag worried me at first. But there are some great pills you can take and also some anti-odor drops for the ostomy bags themselves that cut down on all the smells. So these sports are totally doable with a stoma and I know you can be just fine too.  So learn all you can, don't be afraid to fail, and have a blast outdoors no matter what your sport is.

Sex and Stomas

Sex and stomas. Not two things you’d typically put together. Or really talk about. But hey, people with stomas like to have sex too. And it’s an important and vital part to any healthy relationship. So, if you’re living with a stoma and this has been a roadblock for you, hopefully this article can help you move from a place of apprehension to a place of satisfaction. (Pun kind of intended.) 

Before you dive back into having sex though, you first need to have a serious talk with your doctor. You need to make sure your body has healed to the point where you won’t be causing any harm to yourself. Everyone heals differently, so this must be a conversation that happens with your doctor prior to engaging in any sexual intercourse. The other person that should be included in these talks is your partner. You may have had a life altering surgery, but remember in many ways, this is life altering for them as well. Both of you will have to adjust to a new normal, and that can’t happen without communication. After all, communication, like sex, is a cornerstone to any healthy relationship.

 

Once those talks have happened and you both are on the same page for moving forward and bringing physical intimacy back into the relationship, it might also be beneficial to have a conversation about how things may be a little different. Instead of the same old same old, you can find ways to bring new excitement to the bedroom by maybe not being in the bedroom at all. Instead, maybe starting off in a place such as the shower can provide a safe way of reengaging each other sexually, without having to worry about the pouch right off the bat. However, exploring and understanding the pouch together will one of the best ways you can move forward. 

 

Also, a sense of humor will be vital to your relationship moving forward. After all, you’re going to be getting busy with a pouch, and sometimes it can make noises. So, it’s best to not be embarrassed and learn to embrace the funny. This will also be helpful when trying to make sure the pouch doesn’t get in the way. Maybe invest in some lingerie that will help hold the pouch in place, or crotchless panties that can do the same. Hey, it may be different, but it can still be sexy. Also, you can purchase pouches that are smaller and more discreet and less likely to run interference when approaching the goal line. But the most important part is that both you and your partner feel sexy and desirable. Otherwise, it could be difficult to bring this part of the relationship back. 

 

The best thing you can do is take your time. Let go of any expectations or timelines and realize that, at least in the beginning, spontaneity may not be your ally. But as time goes on, and the more comfortable you and your partner become with your new normal, you’ll find ways to relight the fire that brought you together in the first place. Just be patient, communicate clearly, don’t leave anything on the table (including feelings), and learn to embrace this new journey together. And if you both are committed to each other, my guess is you’ll have a lot of fun along the way. 

What is Colostomy? - Procedure and Reasons

Colostomy
It is an operation that takes place when there is a disease, infection, blockage, or injury in the colon (large intestine). The surgeon takes out the infected part of the large intestine (colon) and brings the remaining uninfected section of the colon to the abdomen. In this surgery, a patient cannot discharge the stool through the anus. After this incision, a colostomy person has to excrete the solid waste through the opening, created in the belly wall, called a stoma.

The procedure of Colostomy Surgery

A colostomy happens when there is a bowel disease or injury. This can be permanent and temporary, it depends on the infection, blockage, and severity of the disease. Before an operation, a patient has to go to the hospital for a pre-operative session. In this meeting doctors and nurses clear all the necessary points regarding the disease, surgery, type of colostomy, care, and risks. You must attend this session because this will clear out your all doubts and queries. Moreover, you can ask surgeons multiple questions about your condition, recovery time, diet, previous routine, and work. However, after this meeting, you go again to the hospital on the day of surgery. A nurse gives you anesthesia before the operation starts. Once you get unconscious, the surgeon starts the procedure of colostomy. First, the nurse marks a spot for the opening. The doctor creates the opening and starts the further process.

There are two main types of colostomy surgery.

1.      Loop colostomy.

2.      End colostomy.

Loop Colostomy

In a loop colostomy, surgeons cut a hole in the sides of the clon and stitch the corresponding hole in the belly. This is a temporary process. The reversal of the large intestine to the anus is easy.

End Colostomy

In the end colostomy, doctors cut the infected end of the colon, they attach the remaining part of the large intestine to the opening and stitch the edges of the colon.

Both colostomies serve the same purpose. After the surgery, a patient discharges the stool either liquid or solid through the stoma, which collects in a bag, called an ostomy pouch or bag.

Reasons for the Colostomy

A patient needs colostomy due to several diseases and infections. Here are a few of them:

·         Imperforate anus.

·         A blockage or infection in the anus during giving birth.

·         Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

·         Inflammation of little sacs in the colon.

·         Diverticulitis.

·         Serious infection in the large intestine.

·         Injuring in the colon or rectum due to a road accident or fight.

·         Blockage in the large intestine (partial or full).

·         Colon cancer.

·         Rectum cancer.

·         Bowel infection.

·         Wound in the anal tract.

·         Fistulas.

Digestive System After Colostomy

A colostomy surgery only changes the path of discharge of solid waste. It does not affect the digestive system and its process. Your food from the mouth goes to the stomach through the esophagus. Then, the stomach grinds the food through enzymes. From there, it goes to the small intestine. In this section, the ileum absorbs the necessary nutrients and elements. Then, the wasted matter goes to the large intestine for excretion. The feces stays there for the next bowel movement. Once a person feels the bowel movement, it goes to the stoma through the colon. You do not discharge the stool through the anus. Instead of the anal tract, the feces comes out through the stoma.

Risks of the Colostomy Surgery

Colostomy brings the biggest change in your physical appearance. The mark or opening in the abdomen is not a normal thing. Moreover, the new passage of discharging stool would be problematic in the initial days of the surgery. It will give you pain and emotional imbalance in the first few months. However, apart from the mental stability and physical changes, it may bring a few risks. These are:

·         Bleeding through the stoma.

·         Infection in internal organs and stoma.

·         Damaged peristomal skin.

·         Scar tissues.

·         Intestinal blockage.

Expect the Unexpected

No matter what goes wrong in life, there is usually something that can help things get back to as right as possible. When the unexpected storm rips through your town and a tornado takes out your house, your homeowners insurance policy kicks in to take care of one hundred percent of the loss. When you get sick, there is medication to help symptoms subside. When the oil needs changed in your vehicle, you can drop your vehicle off at a garage and have the oil changed for next to nothing. As a homeowner, there are a lot of things that can go wrong at “home”.

As a renter, you just have to call your landlord, make them aware of what is no longer working and they will cover the cost to repair whatever it may be. But homeowners aren’t so lucky. Part of building equity in that home is also the burden of replacing and repairing things with your own time and money. Thankfully there are plenty of service businesses that specialize in heating and cooling, electrical work, and home maintenance and repairs.

The point is, this world revolves around picking others up or offering a product or service others may need to tackle the daily challenges life throws their way. When it comes to ostomy care, there are plenty of ConvaTec ostomy supplies that can help life go right. Without the proper supplies, an ostomy procedure simply could not exist. When it comes to breaking a bone, a doctor knows how to set the bone in the right position, then wrap it with a hard cast in order to maximize the healing process. (Much like those great ConvaTec ostomy supplies can help heal your stoma.)

Some people just think that products are made to take advantage of others misfortune. I think making products to help life go right (because it is bound to go wrong at some point in some way shape or form) is a good business venture. I believe people create things first and foremost to simplify current processes that we see in life.

If I can make something that makes life more efficient and “easier”, then let’s do it. If it also helps someone dealing with an unforeseen life circumstance that hinders their abilities or performance, and they need my product or service, then that is the sweet spot. You get to make money off of your created products and you also get to play a part in helping others.

Life Changes for Everyone

There are many things in life that leave people wondering “will life ever be the way it used to be?”. This question was at the forefront of my friends’ mind after he had an emergency ostomy care procedure. He learned he would need an ostomy shortly after one of his concerts in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Immediately he went out and bought the nicest gear he could for his post-procedure life: ConvaTec ostomy supplies. 

He played lead guitar for an up and coming old school country music band. He didn’t always play guitar. His life started out revolving around sports (predominantly basketball). He was a three sport athlete in high school, but fell in love with basketball at a very young age. He was a top 10 scorer in the school’s history and went on to earn a full ride scholarship to Grand Valley State University.

While at Grand Valley State University, he was newcomer conference player of the year his freshman year and made the all-conference squad his junior and senior years. He ended his collegiate career as a top 25 scorer in the history of the school and ended up top ten in assists.

It was at Grand Valley State University that he met what would be his future band mates. They all grew up with parents that listened to old country music like Gary Stewart, Tracy Lawrence, Keith Whitley, Lefty Frizzele, and Waylon Jennings to name a few. They decided they would create a band that honored their musical influences in an attempt to bring back solid country gold.

What my friend didn’t know is that he had an ear for music. He was very gifted with the guitar. He could hear a song and immediately figure it out and be able to play it back on electric guitar. This would go very far in the long run as the band grew and gained status across country music listeners across the country. However, when my friend received news of his emergency ostomy care procedure, he didn’t know if his life would ever be the same.

But because of the ConvaTec ostomy supplies that he was able to find, he was able to carry on with his career business as usual. He came across a popular list of ostomy supplies. On this list was a belt that kept his collection bag tight and hidden to the side of his abdomen. This allowed him to be comfortable enough to pick his guitar back up and shred it like he had never shredded before.