Sep 24th, 2009
WARNING – POO POST
WARNING – The following post contains information about bags of poo and bodily functions. It is not my fault if you continue reading. Nuff said…
So here is the thing. I have been obsessive about keeping my stoma clean of poo. The problem is its current environment is a bag full of the stuff. My obsession with keeping it absolutely clean has had some consequences, leaking being one of them. Stoma appliances (poo bag for you non-medical types) are not meant to be fussed with overly much. You just empty them, clean them up a bit and then reseal the bag using the velcro seal at the bottom, at least my type. Messing with the bag too much stresses the appliance, for which the manufacturer did not think to make allowances. If they had, the things would be as big as a house, made of metal and certified by NASA. Second it all takes time and you can’t even enjoy the reading material as you are handling a bag of poo.
Then I had an epiphany in the middle of one of my more obsessive moments. The small intestine is regularly, in fact constantly, full of poo. A little poo on the part currently sticking out of my body is not going to hurt it. Giving up that obsession means less time handling a bag of poo, and more time for other obsessions in my life. Win, win.
One last thing – the winner of the “How do you lubricate an ostomy bag?” competition goes to Steve Duncan from Desmoines, Iowa, who wins a free colectomy and iliostomy courtesy of the Handy Man’s Special, Colo-rectal Surgical Team in Pascagoula, MS. Thanks to all who contributed entries and congratulation to Steve for his winning entry: “10w-30 works for the car why not for the bag?”
Hi Rick
Just got hold of your site and think this is great. I am glad to see you have not lost your sense of humor and that you still have the gift of gab even in the form of writing.
Give it you best and keep up the good fight. Think about you often.
Ro
Hi Rick!
This is terrific!
I think my company owns the hospitals in Pascagola MS., so I will check out the freebie from there
Look forward to more updates!!
Lisa (your cousin, the one in Alabama)
Hey Son..As you pointed out loosely (No Pun Intended) when last we spoke..BETTER a “POO POST” than a “POSTMORTEM POST”. Sooo for this and future POO POSTs we are incredably thankful and encouraged. You have so inspired me that 13 Oct 2009 is the date for MY procedure…They offer to record all in .jpg for my future viewing pleasure (No bragging rights are inferred!!!)?
Love Dad
Hi Rick
Just wanted to say hi and let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad Steve told RO and RO past the information on. It is a good way to keep in touch with out everyone calling and asking the same questions. I agree with RO it is great to see that you have kept your sense of humor.
Love Kathy
I am sort of out of the loop and only recently heard of your procedure. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. On a practical side to hear the lubricating competition is over. The Patent Office web sites discuss this problem although it usually is deodorant and lubricating the fecal matter. web site–USPTO.gov– go to patent-go to search –go to advanced search and try —(ccl/604/333 or ccl604/337) and lubricat$ and ((ileostomy or ostomy or colostomy)
The ccl/ is a designation of class and subclass of medical things.
Have thought of disposable liners or bags. There seems to be suppliers.
Also you might try–Bethesdatrials.cancer.gov for the clinical trials at NIH if things get real hairy.
Are love and thoughts are with you -Uncle Jack PS my wife had a foot of colon remove with a tumor that had burst through the wall about 5 years ago. Your cousins are been pushed to get their colonoscopy
Uncle jack! Thanks for the lubricating link info. I have settled on spending too much for the deodorant/lubricating liquid that one of the suppliers make. It seems to work okay.
I knew Aunt Eileen had cancer but I did not know/remember it was colon cancer. Resections are very common for some types, since I had two tumors and seven polyps throughout, I was not a candidate for that, at least not a good one.
I still never got to see your safari photos. Perhaps some weekend, next spring, after I have the ostomy reversed, Sally and I can make a trip down and live vicariously through your photo album and recollections of the trip.
Glad to hear you are pushing the kids for a colonoscopy. I never even gave it half a thought until I has some symptoms and if I had waited much longer things would not be going nearly so well.
hi rick,
love the blog! i replied before…but i need remedial blog traing.anyway congratulations on a beautiful new grandson!
had a colonoscopy last week and no polyps this trip.yeah.you have gotten a lot of people on the right path for scopes.so happy to hear your dad followed thru on his.
keep up the tough work of healing .
love and prayers,
aunt toodie
Since I end up talking to you by phone I have not kept track of the blog. You talk just like you write. Not that that is a bad thing. Funny thing is maybe I talk like you talk but maybe not write. Must be genetic. Good thing you don’t have to depend on Scott to clean up after your poo. His solution to cleaning up the dog poo in the yard was to throw it over the fence into the neighbors yard. Not recommended if you want to remain friends with your neighbors. I wil be calling you later. Love you brother.
Steve