Page 12 - OASC February 2021 Newsletter

Don’t Be Discouraged by Accidents – Learn from Them!...
Ostomy accidents happen, and they’ll likely happen at the worst possible time – maybe it’s part of Murphy’s Law, who knows?
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know that I’m no stranger to leaks and blowouts. There are many mishaps that I don’t even write about, but I do try to handle them all in the same way: calmly and by not panicking.
“I have had my ileostomy bag since January 4th, 2016 because of cancer issues. I was browsing and found your channel like a month ago. March 1 was my birthday and I decided to go to the movies for the first time since surgery and I had a leak!!! luckily at the very end of the movie when the credits started to appear
on the screen. I ran to the bathroom (almost ) and all the way over there I was thinking what you say in the video, you can freak out but it is not going to help anyways so better try to relax. I did and changed the whole thing, my clothes were dark and almost intact. Thank you for your tips :) love your channel!!! :)”
— misscrisstie via YouTube comment
While we often can’t predict when a leak will happen, we can be prepared for them, so my first line of defense is to carry an emergency kit with me. Not only does this make me feel more confident about leaving the house for extended periods of time, it also gives me assurance that I’ll be covered if an accident does happen.
Build on Your Successes...
Your recovery may be slow, but each day will bring you small victories that can slowly build confidence over time.
For me, being able to take the stairs to see my nurse was huge, and things continued to improve the more I got used to my ostomy, and the more my body adjusted to the change.
Even today, the foods I can eat, the activities I can take part in, and the time I can spend with my family continues to expand the longer I have my stoma.
Take these small steps as big accomplishments, because they will eventually lead you to great things!
Connect with Others and Share Your Experiences...
Be a mentor to others!
Sometimes, helping others can go a long way in building our confidence. You can do this through online communities, local ostomy meetings, or even through a mentorship program.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve had an ostomy for a few months or for a few decades – if you can share helpful information, it will help YOU as well!
[12]
cont’d on page 13...