Forum home› The potting shed
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Any gardening Ostomates out there?

BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
in The potting shed
This year I will "celebrate" 20 years with an ileostomy.  It's impacted my life in many ways but gardening chores in particular can be difficult.  Bending, lifting, carrying, digging are some of the problem areas.  Any tips, thoughts, anybody?
«13

Posts

  • kate.james58kate.james58 Posts: 198
    Hi @Bluejayway, colostomy here for 7 years. No tips I'm afraid but much sympathy. Would a support belt help? I should wear one but I don't - too uncomfortable.
    Cheshire
  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    edited 4 January
    Hi @kate.james58 , thanks for getting in touch and the sympathy which is reciprocated!  :) Have never tried a belt as the comfort issue put me off plus it was one more thing to have to deal with!  It's worth bearing in mind though, thank you.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    No personal experience but I have a friend who has a colostomy (30 years or so I think). She finds big waist-high knickers, particularly the lighter kinds of "bodyshaper" ones, very helpful. I just realised that's probably not a useful suggestion if @Bluejayway is a gentleman!
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    Hi @JennyJ , thanks for your reply :)
    I am female so the advice is appropriate!  I also prefer the sloggi-type of knicks - they really do help.  Anything loose is asking for trouble!
    Thanks again!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    My mum had a Stoma in 2004,  they offered to put it all back after the operation,  she didn’t want it done,  she got used to it,  not easy at first because of the diet,  but she got used to what she could  and couldn’t eat. 
    She  told me I would appreciate it when she got old and I was caring for her,  so true. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    Thanks for the reply @Lyn.  I was very dismayed that my ileostomy had to be permanent as I needed to have my r**tum removed as well.  However, it cured the original problem which had been totally debilitating (uncontrollable ulcerative colitis) so I counted my blessings.  It’s a total faff of course and days out and holidays can be difficult (where’s the nearest loo??) but as long as I think of the alternative it’s OK 👍 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    That's what my friend had @Bluejayway . She says the stoma's much easier to deal with than the colitis was.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    I agree @JennyJ.  UC is pretty awful 😞 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    If we were going out mum would plan what she’d eat a couple of days before,(or what not to eat)   very soon she knew what time it would work and gradually got it down to early morning,  then she could have a day out with no worry. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • kate.james58kate.james58 Posts: 198
    @Bluejayway you should be able to get support wear on prescription - speak to your stoma nurse. It may be different for ileostomies. But it's not necessarily the most comfortable or attractive!
    Cheshire
Sign In or Register to comment.