So here I am trying really hard to make friends with Mr. Stoma. Today I woke up from a horrible night . . . you guys know the kind, night sweats, can't get comfortable to save your life, nightmares, kept getting poked by the appliance ring. Oh yeah, I should probably mention here that all my life I've been known as the "princess and the pea" because I can't have a single bump or fold in the sheets or I'll go MAD.

So I wake up feeling pretty much like I stepped in front a speeding train in the middle of the night - maybe that's what happened . . . .

Then I figured my appliance was coming loose so I might as well soak in a nice hot tub and feel better. Ahhhhhhh just what the doctor ordered. I cranked up the hot water and because I had not eaten or drank anything yet, Mr. Stoma was still sleeping. I got the appliance off and just let that hot water soak my poor trashed skin and I even took my loofa and gently scrubbed around the stoma. Oh I'm telling you what, that was probably the best bath ever. And, good litle Mr. Stoma behaved himself the entire time and didn't spout off.

I also took Jason's advice and used a cold compress after the bath while I was getting ready to put on the new appliance. I have boatloads of 4 x 4 gauze pads from my j-pouch days because I used to have to wear those in my panties all the time 'cause my j-pouch always leaked. The gauze pads work really nicely for appliance changes, 'cause you can wet them or use dry and they are very absorbent. Then I had a nice pleasant appliance change with no comments from Mr. Stoma. I think he's also trying to show me he's not such a bad little guy after all. :>

TIP FOR J-POUCHERS: If you're having trouble with leaking. Stay away from panty/undie liners because they keep the moisture up against your skin which can cause rashes and irritation. Try using 4x4 gauze pads which you can get by the case load. Use a stack offset on top of each other and that will absorb wetness without getting your tender bottoms irritated. I used that methods with my j-pouch and it was great because I just tossed the wet gauze pads into the trash. It might not work for everyone. I'm really tiny so the 4x4s stayed put in my undies without any fuss.

Anyway, I just had to share my very pleasant happy morning with Mr. Stoma. I'm really working on the happy attitude you people have around here (Jason). Thanks for all the support and seriously Jason's list of tips should be front and center for newbies struggling with an ostomy. Very thorough Jason!!

Cheers to all. I've got to go sue some people.

Cat

Now the very fact that you have used the name Cat instead of Catherine at the end of your post just oooozes confidence and speaks volumes to me!

I have to agree that there is nothing nicer than a long hot shower/bath/hot tub (or whatever floats your boat) without stoma clobber and without incidence to make you feel like a healthy, normal, human being! It's the best feeling in the world!

Ok in my own experience, although that happens 99.9% of the time there are always bound to be those 0.1% times when Wee Willie just doesn't want to play nicely and that's when I let him get whatever's bothering him (and we all kow what that is!) out of his system and just bide my time! He knows I'm the boss but I'm not so strict as to not allow him a little tantrum now and they, just as long as he knows that he's going to have to behave sooner or later (and he always does eventually! ).

You are really starting to get the hang of this aren't you? Keep up the good work and the great attitude! You'll go far with your outlook and humour!

More posts like this one please!

Luv & Hugs

Shell

I think of Oscar as a petulant 2 1/2 yo... tempermental, makes socially unacceptable noises in public, likes to be the center of attention at times and other times is very shy. Aslo fussy about food, is very focused on bodily functions especially output! When I think of Oscar as a toddler, it makes things a lot more bearable. I was never able to completely control any of my children as toddlers either!