I am heading for an operation which will result in using a Stoma bag. Is it possible to carry on caravanning? I am particularly worried about disposal but there may be other issues.Any advice would be welcome.
I'm sure it will be possible, but I don't have the experience to answer your question. However, I'm sure there will be someone on here who can give you the information you need. All the best, and I hope it works out fine for you.
Most of the big club sites have a disabled bathroom with a special bin for medical waste and disposal of used supplies. It may take a bit of time getting used to the new routine and finding the best type of bags and care for your needs. Not all bags are of the emptying kind, some are disposable just like an incontinence pad is. I’m sure that you local specialist nurse will make sure you are happy and confident with your new care routine before you venture away from home.
Good Luck with your surgery, l hope it all goes well for you.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Relaying info from my wife here, who is now a specialist nurse, AND has Crohns. If she goes under the knife again she could also end up with a bag this time....
She says it will ABSOLUTELY NOT affect your caravanning!!!!!
And yes, she did raise her voice - but not quite to shouting!
She goes on to say, disposing of a bag, if they're disposable is the same as disposing of a nappy in a nappy bag, as it is not classed as medical waste.
If you have to empty your bag, it just goes straight down the loo.
She goes on to say, people think that's it, their world / life is over! It's not. Just adjust a few - if anything, and carry on living!
You might need to think about sleeping arrangements with the nightbag. My parents found it easier to sleep in a twin bed arrangement in the caravan than a double, but that's the only difference he found.
He loves not having to get up in the night for the loo!
My son, unfortunately, has both a colostomy and a urostomy bag and loves to come caravanning with us both at home and abroad. He uses normal facilities where he can but prefers the extra room that is generally available in disabled toilets and has a RADAR key for them when out and about.
It makes life more complicated but he doesn't let it spoil his enjoyment of life, he also has cancer that at the moment is incurable but controllable. Preparation and available 'spares' are important.
The CMC was very understanding and allow us to pitch in a 'disabled' pitch close to the toilet facilities when needed. As for disposal, it's much the same as babies nappies, bag it and bin it sensibly.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Sorry for the late reply, but I wanted to say hello and share my experience.
I have a colostomy following an operation for bowel cancer in 2010 and I remember being worried about holidays. Since then I’ve continued to camp and caravan, even basic festival camping. In fact, my first holiday post-op was to a very basic campsite, and I sometimes joke that basic is even easier for me now as I don’t care too much what the toilet facilities are like. My bag is removed, bagged up in a small bin bag (like a nappy sack or dog poo bag) and thrown in the bin. Bags are not classed as medical waste so you don’t need a special waste bin. I signed up for a radar key at first, which gave me a bit of confidence, but I only used it once or twice - some people do like the extra space and access to a sink in a disabled toilet, but I find I manage just fine.
I have also travelled abroad more in the last decade than ever before, so don’t worry about flying or travelling abroad either. A magazine called “Tidings” by the colostomy association is available and is full of helpful tips from other bag wearers and nurses. You can sign up online I think.
Good luck, I hope that your operation is a success!
there are alsorts of garments from underpants, trousers to swimwear which support your bag, and suppliment items to make you feel more secure with your bag like extra shaped stick on plaster like pieces to make sure its securely stuck to you,your stoma nurse will answer any questions you have, and be able to show you all the different bags which come in a variety of sizes, barrier creams for protection when changing bag if skin sensitive
When in the van using the van toilet my husband found it easier to empty into a plastic measuring jug then empty into the van toilet while holding the blade open then rinse the jug out (will say though that his never thickened up and was quite watery due to other problems) and he has now had the reversal operation.
Your nurse will place you first monthly order for you and after that you will order from your local stoma supplier and the one we used were very friendly and helpful
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Topic: Caravanning with a Stoma bag
