By now, you may have noticed that being stylish and fashionable is very important to me, and that includes carrying along the necessary items ostomates must have with us. Ronnie, the ostomy nurse sent by my healthcare plan, came to see me at home after my ileostomy four years ago, and told me that “even if I am running out to the bank, I must have my Emergency Kit with me, at all times!” That includes the items we need for a full change of pouching system, even a fresh change of underwear, pants, etc. All of this can become cumbersome, so we must plan for our needs!
The first time I realized how prophetic that information was occurred after the perfect storm…a big lunch, an aggressive zipper which unknowingly caught a piece of my pouch, and then driving for a while. By the time I stopped the car, my high output pouch had “put out” enough to cause a flood, and I was walking into my favorite store to shop with three other women. I wanted to cry, but that wouldn’t help me at all. Determined to be the poster child for ostomies, I had to pull myself together, or everyone would have seen a very mortified woman!
Fortunately, I had my emergency kit with me, so I knew could get through this with as little explanation as possible. After all, it isn’t like telling someone you spilled a soda on yourself, or even like decades ago when I was nursing and leaked the milk that I proudly produced to nurture my babies. No, this was something very difficult to explain, especially since I was the first ostomate with whom my friends, et al, had any contact. I did not want to share my humiliation, nor did I want any negative attention as I was doing my best to grow comfortable with my new plumbing.
I was so grateful for the wisdom of my nurse, Ronnie, and as such, I felt empowered to deal with the uncomfortable situation. In fact, I believe I was actually awaiting my chance to prove to myself I could deal with whatever came my way. First, I knew that I must clean my skin around my stoma which was already “biting” with the sting of acidic output an ileostomy produces. I pulled off the soaked appliance, my heartbeat returned to normal and I went through my steps in the small bathroom available to me. I cleaned off my pants, placed paper towels over my underwear, and proceeded to bid my goodbyes with as little fanfare as possible. In reality, other than perhaps missing out on a great sale, I was just fine…once again, proving to myself that everything is more manageable if we are prepared!
So, how can we fashionably be “prepared” for a leak, or need to go into a self-protective mode?
Finding lightweight carriers for our pouch, et al, is the key, and I have found that cosmetic bags work best, are fashionable and are available in many places. I cruise through the cosmetic cases aisle at stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond or gift stores and stock them. I buy a couple of the ones I like best and give them as gifts when doing a hospital visit with a new ostomate. Mesh is lightweight, so that is always my first preference. And since my “cosmetic bag” comes with me everywhere, I get flexible ones that can be folded to fit into small bags.
As much as I love shoes, I am every bit as passionate about handbags, so here are my favorites to carry my emergency kit…totes, waist bags, backpacks. Totes expand to carry everything, including my bottle of water. I like to have the ability to close my tote, as well as a compartment on the outside of the bag for my phone.
Waist bags, originally known as “fanny packs” are back again, and extremely fashionable. They allow constant security that our supplies are with us, however, look for one that goes fully across the abdomen, and then carry it across your shoulder for an extra bit of flare.
Backpacks are beyond wonderful! Not only is there a place for my supplies, phone, water and other “stuff” we always carry with us, but there is also room for those of us who may want to carry a pair of leggings in case of an accident. Every handbag designer seems to have one in their collection, and look for me to be carrying the cutest pink floral creation as I keep my eye on what’s coming next in the world of fashion!
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE PHOENIX.