Trying to Find an Ostomate with Similar Situation

[Tom Starks]

I am a 46 year old male with and ileostomy. I have had it for almost 19 years. I have created a Twitter personality of "OstomyTom" (http://twitter.com/ostomytom). Through it, and other sources, I've been trying to find another ostomate who has or had been in the same situation I am facing. But so far have not been able to. In June I'm going to undergo rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder. The doc says that post-surgery my left arm will be immobilized for up to 6 weeks. It takes two hands to empty my ostomy bag; therefore, I'm in a bit of a predicament. I can't believe that I'm the only ostomate in the world who has ever faced this situation. Consequently, I'm trying all I can do to reach out to as many people on Twitter, and elsewhere on the internet, looking for someone who is either currently working with their ostomy with one arm, or has in the past. If you are such a person, or know of someone like that, or are someone who may know someone like that, please contact me. Either through this forum or through email at "tom dot starks at googlemail dot com". Thanks in advance!

[Kathy Q]

You might try talking with an occupational therapist for some advice on may some adaptive equipment that might work. I doubt that you are alone, but also anyone who has broken both wrists, or anyone with a dominant hand or wrist injury would have similar difficulties with toileting and I know that reachers can be used to help out so I wonder if some sort of device even such as cooking tongs could extend your disabled arm reach to hold onto the bag etc.

At any rate learning and practicing now will help make life a lot easier for when you do have a need for help.

You should also talk with an ostomy nurse and see what s/he would recommend. There may be some different supplies you could use at least temporarily to get you through this issue. You can get a referral here: http://www.wocn.org/Patients/ or they may be able to refer you to someone who has had a similar experience for advice.

Good luck to you. Hope the surgery goes well and your life gets back on track real quick!!

Kathy RN BSN