Hi all, I had my first blowout and survived to tell the tale. I was teaching an exercise class and felt cool wetness on my belly a good distance away from my stoma (I'm used to that warm feeling against my skin through the bag when my stoma puts out liquid - this was so different.) I calmly excused myself, ran to my car and changed my bag in the ladies room. I tied my shrug around my middle as I had a little dark stain on my top and then continued teaching. It was slightly unnerving because it reinforced that we are never 100% safe against this stuff. On the other hand, everyone in my classes knows of my ostomy and they were so supportive and, actually, impressed how I handled the situation. And I know the culprit (not something I was used to saying when I had my jpouch) -- baby carrots coupled with a free sample of barrier strips. The baby carrots came shooting out of my poor stoma and the barrier strips didn't stick well enough to my barrier ring and just flew off my skin. I just figured I'd share something that we all will probably experience at some point. It wasn't as bad as I ever imagined it would be. Whew!
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After surgery with my loop, I was still pretty sore and weak, but went to the mall with my mom.
Apparently, I hadn't sealed the "Tupperware" between my flange and bag. When I took my pants down to empty, the whole bag fell to my feet, getting literal crap all over me and the floor. Sat there and cried until my mom came in the bathroom when it was taking forever. She had to buy me new socks, underwear, and pants, and I had to sit on the toilet practically nude til she came back. was mortified that we had to tell people what happened so they could clean it up. I was only 19.
Rachel, that's horrible. Thank goodness for your mom (and my sister early on for me.) With my temp ileo, I remember several times the clip not holding and the contents of my bag spilling all down my front into my shoes. I wear a binder clip on the end now for added protection. My latest mishap wasn't so bad compared to your first experience or any of my temp ones.
Geez, Rachel, That is quite a story, Rachel! I have nothing next to that! My worst was leaking in an airport during a quick layover. Fastest bag change ever!
I find wearing the belts really helps me. I tried several until I found a comfy one, and now I wear it all the time, except when sleeping. Especially important for exercising.
Good job keeping your cool, Lambiepie.
yay for surviving the blowout and props for awareness with your exercise class peeps!
Thanks! No blowouts since then, but I went to empty before class last week and realized I had a defective bag; the opening was fused shut. I didn't have time to find scissors, so I took my earring out and used it to cut a slit where the opening should've been. Definitely a "make it work" moment!
henceforth you shall be called MacGyver. lol
You go girl!!
Bravo! I need to start wearing earrings again.
Something off subject a bit. You mentioned the warm feeling and I had a problem with the bags heating up against my skin. It smelled to me. Same way with bag filters. I found a solution that helps against the smell and adds another layer of protection, Ostomy bag covers. I buy them off of "etsy". There are several vendors. I pick out different fabrics and they are sent no postage, from the lady I buy from, in a small heavy duty envelope. I've ordered twice. I hand wash them with a delicate's detergent and love them. They have caught early leaks and they are cute when my husband sees my bag. For the guys, they are available in fabrics made with professional sports and no pattern fabrics. Okay us gals can get them in those too. Call them Unisex bag covers.
Haha TEMarie, definitely wear them! I've used an earring more than once for repoking a hole in my EZ Osto vent, but never for the bag opening itself. I guess I am like MacGyver!.......I never sensed an odor even with the warmest, most liquidy output but I do have bag covers, probably the same as the ones you're using and I love them. I've gotten lazy lately and haven't put one on in awhile but your comment reminded me how much I like them. So soft and pretty.