Life Changes

Several years back we had a horse barn out in the country. My husband grew up racing quarter horses and trail riding, but he ended up having to quit for a few years following an ostomy procedure. It took him awhile to figure out his new ostomy supplies, but it all worked out for the better.

 Because of the horses my father-in-law bought an older buckboard wagon just to use around the 8 acre horse barn and it was weathering to the point of rotting, so my husband deconstructed it, taking several parts of the wagon and used it as home decor.

Oh my goodness one of my favorite things ever is a 20 foot run of sideboards from this old wagon. My husband installed these side boards as a form of crown molding. The double board is Held together with rusty rod iron L brackets that add massive table talk to her house. He first hosed the side boards down with just straight water and a soft broom. Next he took the rusty L brackets off and put them on the most interesting side of the boards, as one side showed the wood grain more prominently than the other side. And lastly he attached the boards all the way to the ceiling with a couple of screws. They gave our living room a cabin like feel.

Another item he re-purposed from what some may consider junk out at our barn was a wooden gate. The gate had a raised panel missing on one side and rusty hardware on both sides. Again he simply hose down the gate with straight water and a soft broom and voilà we have beautiful mantelpiece display. I finally took this gate down this year to change up my mantle for a bit, this gate has been hanging above my mantle for nearly 5 years. It is also one of my favorite repurposing of junk!

What some would call junk, others call endless opportunities. Old pallet boards for example, my husband stores up any free pallets that he can get his hands on. He simply stacks them behind our shop at the farmhouse, out in the weather and lets them take on the patina of old wood. This past Christmas he made boxes with this pallet wood for me, my daughter-in-law, and my oldest son’s fiancée. They turned out simply awesome. My daughter-in-law took her box home and immediately put a pencil tree inside the box wow what a neat tree stand she had. My box has a red paint tone to it and I plan to use it as a three-tier box, topping it with an old wooden mailbox that I purchased, that has nearly the same paint color.

So, whether you’re into antiques or just junk itself, don’t forget to take a second look at all those rusty pieces, or wooden pieces laying around your barn, shop, or garage. And even if you’re like my husband and have your own belt and ostomy supplies in tow, life goes on!

What Do you Need to do for Odor Management as an Ostomate?

Well, the biggest fear of an ostomate is odor management after having a pouch. Patients have a heartfelt concern of the society as they think that their pouch smells can offend them. Is it a problem? Well, you might think of it as a problem. However, you can get rid of the tension if you know how to take care of yourself after having an ostomy. You can manage your life and odor in the best way when you know all about the ostomy supplies and management.

Your all waste will collect in a pouch when you have an ostomy. Thus, there will be a slight fear of odor. As from now on, you have to discharge the waste content into an ostomy bag from the front of the body. Your excretion system will change, that is why you need to be a little worried about the new life. However, there are a few ostomy pouches in the market, which are 100% odor-free.

Ostomy Content Collector Containers

Years ago, people use tins, cans, rubber gloves, cups, wrappers, plastics, small plastic wraps, and bags. It was the time when the ostomy surgery was developed. At that time, there were no ostomy supplies to gather up the waste content. Therefore, the biggest problem at that time was the odor. There was no specific equipment to control the odor of the feces and urine. Thus, people had avoided public interactions and society's get- together parties.

However, now the situation has changed. Now, we have odor-barrier materials for the ostomy pouches. These days, you can buy a 100% odor-free ostomy bag. Moreover, there are many more supplies you will get, which can control the odor. You will have scented wipes, deodorants, and much more equipment that can control the smell.

You can Detect the Odor

Well, you can detect the odor that can come out of the ostomy bag. The ostomy pouch passes the odor of urine and feces. You can detect the smell before anyone else. Moreover, your pouch doesn't need to smell because of the discharge. If you do not change your ostomy bag on time, or you do not clean you're peristomal (skin around the stoma) you can stink. Therefore, you should clean yourself, your peristomal skin, an ostomy pouch. However, if you feel an odor, you should immediately go to the restroom, check your ostomy pouch. Is it leaking? Check the adhesive of the ostomy bag. Is your ostomy pouch attached correctly? Check out that no content from the ostomy barrier is oozing out. Make sure your pouch is closed from all the sides and your skin around the stoma is clean and fresh.

Urostomy Odor Management

If you have had a urostomy surgery, you should take care of your peristomal skin.You can wipe the droplets with a toilet tissue paper or with ostomy wipes. After closing the ostomy pouch, if you do not clean your skin, the droplets will cause the odor and can damp your shirt. Therefore, you should use odor-free ostomy bags. Moreover, you should use a medicated scent and spray it on your shirt and skin. But, do not use it on the stoma.

Well, at home you can use a room deodorant spray. As an ostomate and non-ostomate, you have to manage the ostomy odor at your home. After the use of the loo, you need to flush it twice. You can use a body spray. You can use a diffuser in your room and other places in the home. Everyone’s waste smells; therefore, as an ostomate, you should not ashamed of it. You just need to manage the odor and your ostomy pouching system. 

The Life with an Ostomy After Cancer Treatment

Many cancer survivors have to live with an ostomy. Therefore, you need to learn how to live with an ostomy for the rest of your days. You should have appropriate knowledge of ostomy care and handling the ostomy supplies. Moreover, you should know how you carry forward yourself into the daily routine chores with an ostomy. 

You should learn how to manage your lifeafter having ostomy surgery. It will boost your confidence and help you to move forward in life tranquility.

You can crash into the ostomy surgery after cancer treatment. Or maybe you need an ostomy treatment because of your cancer. Or perhaps you are already an ostomate, and now you have been diagnosed with cancer, and now on, you have to pass your life with an ostomy and cancer treatment. In every case, you need to learn your life as an ostomate person. 

Many of the cancer survivors need ostomy surgery, it will be a life-saving operation, for such people. Ostomy has divided into two fundamental kinds. These are permanent and temporary ostomies. After cancer treatment, you might need temporary ostomies. However, if you need a permanent ostomy surgery, a part of your colon or the entire bladder will be removed.

Ostomy Types in Cancer Survivors

The following are the ostomies, we have seen in cancer survivors. These are the most common types of ostomies in cancer survivors.

Colostomy

A colostomy is a surgical hole in the large bowel or colon for feces to come out of the body.

Ileostomy

This is a surgical opening in the ileum. It collects the waste content from the body and passes it into the pouch.

Urostomy

This is an opening in the urinary system. It collects the urine and passes it to the ostomy pouch.

Less Common Ostomy Kinds in Cancer Survivors

Jejunostomy

This is a surgical opening in the jejunum, which is the second part of the small intestine. This is to feed the patient.

Gastrostomy

This surgery also allows feeding to the person; however, the opening will be in the stomach.

Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy surgery will happen in the trachea. It will protect the airways.

Types of Cancer that Need an Ostomy Surgery

When cancer spreads to the rectum, colon, or bladder, then the patient requires an ostomy. Such cancers are called cervical cancer and prostate cancer.

The following are the cancers that could cause the ostomy surgery.

·       Ovarian cancer.

·       Small bowel cancer.

·       Rectal cancer.

·       Cervical cancer.

·       Bladder or Urethra cancer.

·       Small intestine cancer.

·       Colon cancer.

·       Prostate cancer.

·       Uterine cancer.

·       Lymph nodes cancer.

How to Live with an Ostomy as Cancer Survivor?

Well, there are no worries about the ostomy and life-management skills. You can lead a normal life with your ostomy hole and supplies. In the initial days, you have to halt some activities and wait for the healing of your opening. After 3 weeks, you can perform your previous activities. In general, ostomy does not affect your life and activities.

Daily Activities

As I mentioned above, once you get relief from the surgery pain, you can resume your normal work activities. You can join the office, you can go for a daily walk, you can practice your sports, exercising, swimming, biking, hiking, bowling, and any other activity you were performing before.

Diet Habit

Here, you need to be careful. You have to find out which food is best for your health and digestive system. As from now on you will lead your life with an ostomy pouch; thus, you should not eat or drink anything, which has a bad odor.

Medicines

You cannot give up your medicines until your doctor’s suggestion. Moreover, you will have to avoid some specific medicines, which can create a problem for your ostomy.

Wardrobe

You can wear anything you like or you are comfortable in. You are not supposed to change your wardrobe and dressing style. However, you should wear comfy and loose dresses.

Shower

Well, you can easily take bathe after an ostomy. Water will not affect your ostomy opening. You can take a shower anytime; however, you should avoid scented soap bars.

Mechanic with an ostomy

As a car mechanic, life has been very easygoing. That coming from a car mechanic is very scary to some people because we have a very stressful job from time to time. Not to mention I have an ostomy bag. I got in a bad accident a few years ago while test driving a car, and the resulting crash changed my life. I have always had a passion for cars, and I knew that the accident was not going to stop me from following my passion. After all, if you love what you do, then is it really a job? 

I got injured while working. It was a car wreck and was not my fault. One day I was finishing up work on a twenty fifteen range rover velar and had to take it for a test drive to make sure the work I did fix the problem. I jumped in the car, backed it off the lift and out of the garage, and began my test drive. When I came to a stoplight, I was about to make a right-hand turn on a green arrow. As I started my turn, I saw out of the corner of my eye a red light runner, and he had no intention of stopping. I did not have enough time to get out of his way, and he hit me at forty miles per hour on the driver’s side. I immediately noticed I had a piece of the door in my stomach area and blacked out. 

When I woke up, I was in the back of an ambulance. I asked the EMT what had happened, and she told me that I was in a car accident and was severely injured. They rushed to the hospital and got me in the emergency room, the piece of the door still in my stomach. When I woke up next, there was a doctor who said I would need a colostomy procedure as soon as possible due to the injury. I began asking many questions, and he did his best to answer them all. After thirty or so minutes of constant questioning, I told him I was ready. After hearing that I would need it if I wanted to live, I really did not question him any more. 

The procedure was quick. To me, since was asleep. I spent a few days in the hospital so they could monitor me and teach me all I needed to know about my new situation. When I got back to work, I did my best to manage the pain and restricted movements, but it was tough. After about two weeks, I was able to change how I work so I do not have any pain or movement restrictions. It has been two years since my accident, and I have most definitely learned how to live with this ostomy bag; and I am glad to have gotten it as it saved my life. 

Having an ostomy as a car mechanic is not all that easy, but I have managed to develop different ways to do my work and be efficient. I have had to develop these methods to help work around the movement restrictions the ostomy bag has. I do not resent that other driver for what he did I only wish he would have paid more attention.