I also would keep the tube in. Years ago, during 2 separate pregnancies, both times I had difficulty getting the tube in beginning during the second trimester, and therefore from that point on kept the tube in for MONTHS for the rest of the pregnancy. At the time, I wasn't aware of waist-belts or other ways to keep the tube in place, and just kept in in place by wrapping first-aid paper-tape around the tube and wrapping the tape around my waist (two different pieces of tape, each one wrapped in an opposite direction around the tube and going to the opposite side of my waist)....this certainly may not have been the easiest way to keep the tube in, but it functioned, actually for months (of course, carefully changing and replacing the tape as-needed; without letting the tube come back out). I kept the end of the tube "corked" with a golf-tee and simply took it out whenever I needed to empty the pouch. I definitely would keep the tube in if I were in your situation. Please consider it!

Thanks Icolche,
No can do. I prolapse with the tube in place even more than with the "plug". Plus I get the added advantage of all of the stool leaking out around the tube when it stays in place!
This morning I had a full prlapse with the new 45mm plug. It is too wide and so when it comes out the stoma comes too!
bad morning! I leaked everywhere. It just pored (at least that prune juice is working!!!!)
So now I am back to the 35mm, but the valve is so twisted that it is a very slow nightmare!
I promise myself a week on prozac when I get back!!!!
Even when I intubate half of the stuff is pouring out the side. I had yo manipulate my valve back into place this morning to get in.
I am not having a fun day today!!!
only 3days to go before i take off. I am procrastinating the flight out of fear but I am quiclmy realizing that the soon I get out there the better.
Off to check on leakage and pack my bags;
Love to all of you out there
Sharon

Hi Sharon
So your flight is Tuesday?
I am assuming that is the soonest at a reasonable cost.
I am still here thinking about you.

Hi Holly, The picture was taken in Turkey during our pre-wedding vacation. happier times.
I just booked the flight out for Tuesday. I will try to stay calm and flat befor than . Nothing to do other than pack and pray!
The prolapse is pretty bad right now. I am intubating every 2 hours to prevent buildup and thus pressure but it is still tough on me.
I litterally felt it "pop" this morning and then "twist" ! i usually don't double over but this time I did.
Hard to handle at the moment. I will travel light, no food! and hope for the best.
i will let you know how it goes.
One day when this is all a bad dream and this is behind us, we will meet in Paris ( along with many others who have been there for me) and have a toast on the Camps Elysée and enjoy life go by.
Keep in tough
Sharon

Ughhhh. I'm so sorry that this has gotten to such a difficult point for you. Please know that we are all out here sending as much positive energy your way as we can, on the edge of our seats praying that you'll make it from now through to the end of the flight and into the hospital without the difficulties compounding any further....and that Dr. Cohen will fix it for you right away, and it will be over with, with a happy ending. And that thereafter, this time next week, only one week from now, it will all just be a memory while you are resting comfortably and well on your way to recovering from it.

Oh, how wonderful to have traveled the way you have.
I will be in Paris whenever you set it up!
Please keep us all informed before you leave and once you get there have your friend e mail me or post 4 you.

Good morning everone,
Bad, really bad morning,
The prolapse slid back into place during the night, unfortunately it twisted so badly that I could no longer intubate! Bad buildup, really strange gymnastics in every position possible, much blood, a hot bath and then finnaly I gave in and shoved my finger up there to try to straiten it out. Boy was it twisted in there. I did the manual manipulation like my ET did last time, felt really strange! It took quite a whie but I finally got it 3 hours later.
I put myself onstrait drain with 2 clams and a plug but even with the strait drain I leak out the side. The stoma prolapses around the opening of the face plate and bleeds.
It will be an interesting flight! I am scared of leaving the house and scareder to go to an airport. I will try to cut up some large pads and slide them between the plate and the stoma but if they are too thinck I "pop out"!
If my marriage survives this it will survive anything!!!!!!! He is being extra patient but it is still a strain on us both!
I will try a car ride and see how it feels. I 've got so much to do and have no idea how to get it all done before I go.
Thnaks for being there
Sharon

ASk for help. A friend perhaps? I surely would be offering if I was there.

Hi Holly,
Paris in August is a desert, empty wasteland devoid of friends, family, surgeons and open bakeries! You are usually lucky to find an open drugstore on the horizon!
If I had a shrink I would call him! Unfortunately I don't ( but really should! ) It is part of my wish list along with getting my licence, learning to dance and getting rid of my strait drain!
I dream of getting throough all of this with a smile and coming home healthy to my hubby.
Last nigh was a new nightmare, blocked tube, gushing from the sides, hugh prolapse....Had to unhook the whole thing. I tried the baby bottle nipple but don't seem to be doing it right because it is all still popping out! Can you give me more details?
I am wearing the belt with the faceplate, the tube stabilized and secured with safty pins and elastics ( one fell down the toilet at around 2 am!!! ) ( I am certian that a purple elastic attached to a safety pin is going to come floating up one day and my husband is going to have a heart attack when he sees it!!! ) I still leak all arounf the sides whenever the pouch fills so I have cut in half some extra wide maxi-pads and slit them up the middle, slid them under the faceplate, face down, to absorb the goop and to cushion the valve. The prolapse gets stuck in the opening of the faceplate and that starts a whole other mess!!
I no longer complain about how bad things are getting because just when I think that I can't take it any more, it gets worse! and then I wish for the good old days of the day before! The plug feels like a luxury product comapred to the belt!
So, I am off to pack. I just hung u^with the airline, confirmed wheelchair assistance, liquid meal ( that means none!) and bulkhead seats. I can't even attach a seatbelt with this!
Write to me before I take off with any handy hints....I could us all of the help I can get!
Thanks again for being there
Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I haven't responded to this post before but I have been following it and just want to wish you good luck for your flight tomorrow. Hopefully the flight will go without any major incident as will whatever operation/procedure your surgeon does to help you.

Hang in there and give an update when you can.

Take care

(((((((((hugs))))))))))

Shell

Sharon
Wishing you a good flight.I hope your body behaves and makes this an easy trip for you. Do some "oms" and try and relax.

Hopefully Dr. Cohen will fix you up

Thanks for all of the encouragement, everyone.
My bags are packed (excuse the pun!)and I am ready to go. Been on full fluides all day long and going on to clear for the night and the flight. Still leaking out the side of the face plate, stool, gas, YUCK!
I finally slept a couple of hours this afternoon once everything was ready. I am hooked up but unhappy about it ( at least if it worked!) and am going to put on layers of absorbant stuff to prevent me from leaking down my leg! Not a good look for a flight!
write more during tonight's insomnia!
Sharon

Sharon
I forgot to tell you to put gauze or nursing pads under the face plate so the plastic doesn't touch your skin. I hope you knew to do that. The split gauze is best or cut a slit where the tube is so the gauze goes around the tube. Angel flight.Godspeed.

Thanks Holly, I am using maxi-pads, that is all I have
I seep to the front too and don't know what to do about. I am feeling bulky!
Anyway it is bedtime, or close for me and I need to get some rest before flying out.
I will try to have a good night and relax as much as possible on board.
If I get some sleep in should help!
I wrote the DR.s assistant that I am on my way and hope that he can see me on Weds. i can't wait much longer!
If not I go strait to emerg from the airport!
You have been so helpful and supportive along with everyone else who has written in and cheered me on..Let's hope that it is finally the last time for me to go through this.
Next posting from Toronto.
Sharon

what time is the flight? Call me from there if you can.
Please take care. It will be over soon.