I was shown once at the hospital how to change my bag (due to surgery on Friday and no ostomy nurse visits at the hospital on weekends)

4 things that made me call the Home Health company today and tell them "if you can't send a different nurse, I'll call a different company"

the nurse who came is used to doing this on people who can't take care of themselves, and have a caretaker doing it for them - I'm 50 and healthy

We walked to the bathroom. Not only could she see that I was self sufficient, I told her that I had no caretaker and would be doing this myself.

1> as I stood at the vanity/mirror, I asked "should I sit or stand". She said that she normally has her patients lying down. Trying not to be a wise guy, I told her that I really won't be able to learn anything lying down, especially if I can't see what she or I am doing

2> I asked her how much I should shave before I attach the wafer? She said " oh you can shave down there if you like" No, I meant HOW MUCH/how close I need to shave. She was still a little embarrassed and still thought I was talking about "man-scaping". The third time I said, in a slightly frustrated tone "don't I have to shave first? I can't just attach it to my hairy belly, can I? She responded "do you normally talk to people like this?

3> After I was cleaned up, she handed me the wafer and scissors and said "okay, now cut the hole to the size of the stoma" I asked "Don't I need to use the template to measure the size of the stoma first?" She said "Oh yeah, do that"

4> After the bag was attached I found stool dripping down my leg, I saw that the bottom wasn't folded up/secured closed. She said "Oh, you forgot to close it first"

Am I wrong, or did she miss too many things in trying to teach me, especially since this was her first time out to see me?

Um, yeah. Sounds frustrating! At the very least, sounds like not a good teacher.

Gin

Unbelievable!!! I also was only shown once at the hospital... I had my temp ileo for about 10 weeks, and never could get a wafer on by myself. Thankfully, my husband took care of it for me, not sure what I would have done without him. I hope you get it all figured out, and the next nurse does a better job than the first one!

Actually, things are working out. My first night home, but before the home nurse came, there was a small leak at the seal leak. I changed it myself that night.

They are sending a different nurse out. I seem to be okay and just want one more visit to maybe get some tips from her that I may be missing.

Oh boy....good help is hard to find!

Before I left the hospital I begged anyone who knew anything about ostomies to accompany me into the bathroom, watch me as I tried to change the appliance or even empty it and give me hints on how to make the process work more efficiently for me. Guess the most valuable piece of advice I received was to have everything lined up, within reach and ready before I attempted anything in the bathroom! When I got homes I had an ostomy nurse visit and do the same thing with me. We figured out where to put what in my small bathroom prior to needing it. We also figured out what positions would work best for me while attempting to change the appliance. She was worth her weight in gold. Things got easier and easier. Best wishes.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. That 'nurse' should not be in that job. There is no reason that patients need a home healthcare nurse only...every nurse in the hospital should be able to change the appliances and teach the patients. Don't ever be shy about asking for more demos or teaching. You should not have to go home without feeling confident that you can take care of business!

Ok, I thought it was just me. When I had my temporary ileostomy, all the nurses in the hospital said "you're going to have to learn how to do this (change my bag)". But no one was willing to teach me. I was shown one time in the hospital and was laying down so I couldn't see much of anything. Thank God my mom helped my step-dad with his bag and knew how to take care of it.

Why don't they do a better job of teaching people how to manage their ileostomy? My visiting nurses weren't much better either. My mom did a much better job than any of the visiting nurses! I even requested an ostomy nurse and just got your run of the mill visiting nurse. So frustrating!