Any one with an ostomy?

[chirurgeon]

I just got an ileostomy 2 weeks ago as part of my treatment for rectal cancer. (Dr said they got all the cancer and the pathology came back clear, so that part is good). I will have to have this through out my backup chemo, so I will still have it for my post chemo Disney trip in December. I am still recovering from surgery at home, so I haven't been out and had to empty my bag yet. My question is, do you empty your bag in the regular rest room, or do you try to find something more private like at the first aid stations? I don't really want to be trapsing all over the parks when I need to empy my bag. Do you use the handicapped stall since the toilet is higher?

I also posted this on the disabilities board, but I wanted to try and reach a wider group.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Hi Kim. Sorry for everything you are going through, but happy to see your spirits are high. My sis-in-law went through this about 15 years ago, eventually had her ostomy reversed, and has been doing well ever since. I imagine it would be a little difficult to bend over a regular toilet to empty your bag, so a handicapped stall would probably be easier since it is higher. I absolutely would use the regular rest rooms. I was trying to think of an easier way to empty the bag than bending over the toilet, but I really can't, unless you empty the ostomy bag into another disposable bag while you are sitting or standing, and then empty that bag into the toilet. Maybe you could carry some ziplocs with you to use this way. Oh, forgot to mention that I'm a nurse, so empty these for patients all the time. Hope this helps a little.

 

[chirurgeon]

Thank you. I have found the regular level toilet not too bad at home, but the handicap ones would be better. I have developed a good crouch technique.

 

[Disney Doll]

My DSIL has had an ileostomy since the age of 21 and she uses a regular toilet, in a regular bathroom. She sits on the toilet and hangs the bag between her legs and opens the bottom.