Living Your Life

When it comes to learning about other people and what their lives are like, I’m always interested in what people have to say about their own experiences and hardships. And I think that people like talking about those rough times and less fortunate things, because if they have someone that is willing to truly listen to their problems, they feel like that at least someone else can commiserate in their pain or help heal their wounds. And at the very least, letting it all out to a willing ear helps you process your own feelings and experiences. It helps you get past the bad things, over the rough bumps, and into a new era for you and your family.

That is, if you choose to think of such cathartic releases as such, it will happen. It will happen for you simply because you have the power to control those things. I’ve heard of people even complain about their financial situations even when they’re quite wealthy (and they’ve actually been my family). It’s weird to consider, but even people with a lot of good success and money and great friends or family can complain about what they’re missing out on.

So consider those who have to buy some more expensive gear when they have spur of the moment medical procedures done. You never know when you’ll have calamity strike you and your family, and if you can’t imagine true stress, it’s basically like having to go in for a procedure on an unexpected day and then coming out in debt, unsure what you’ll have to spend money on next to keep your health in line. That’s why insurance is amazing, of course. But seriously. Imagine having an ostomy procedure one night and then going to look at ostomy supplies and other high quality brands the next day. That can be stressful when you’ve never been in that situation before and suddenly you’re learning to relive your everyday life.

That’s why it’s always so important to keep in mind what you have, how lucky you are, and what you should feel lucky to have in your life. And that goes for any ostomy patients too! You may have your own ostomy supplies to change out every few days, and that’s totally fine. Be lucky that ostomy supplies are so readily available and that ostomy procedures are even available to people. That wasn’t a thing just a few decades ago, but now it serves as an emergency option for anyone with abnormalities in their GI tract.

Different Types of Ostomy Wafers or Ostomy Barriers

Ostomy wafer and barrier are the same things. Ostomy wafer is a part of the equipment that moves against your skin, it fits around your stoma where the hole is. We can also call the ostomy barrier a wafer, flange, or device. Well, the use of ostomy barrier is simple, doctors stick the ostomy wafer around the stoma with the use adhesive. The skin which is around the stoma is called peristomal skin. The peristomal skin borders the stoma or hole. 

The purpose of the ostomy wafer is to protect the skin from the stomal output. Moreover, the ostomy wafer or barrier helps the pouch to connect your surgery hole. Further, the attachment of the ostomy barrier depends on the type of the ostomy pouch. If you use a two-piece ostomy system, then the barrier and ostomy pouch are two separate objects. And, every piece of ostomy appliance has its unique item number on it. However, if you use a one-piece ostomy pouch, then the barrier and the ostomy pouch are associated, and you cannot separate these two appliances. Merely, the ostomy flange is a plastic tool that connects to the ostomy pouch. Thus, the ostomy flange is a coupling appliance. The ostomy barrier or wafer is square, usually, moreover, they have pre-cut, cut-to-fit, and moldable types.

Different Types of Ostomy Barrier or Wafer

The following are the different types of ostomy wafer or ostomy barrier.

1. Pre-Cut Ostomy Barrier or Wafer

Pre-Cut ostomy barriers have made for the most common size of stomas. The pre-cut ostomy wafers are uniform and in round shape. Well, one of the best benefits of the pre-cut barrier is that it is according to the shape and size of the stoma. You do not need to cut the pre-cut wafer, just open the package, and it is ready to use. You have nothing to do with its size or shape. The pre-cut ostomy barriers are available in a standard size, according to the size of stomas. However, doctors do not suggest the pre-cut ostomy wafer right after the ostomy surgery. When the swelling of the stoma gets down after that, doctors apply the pre-cut ostomy barrier on the stoma. The reason for not to use the pre-cut ostomy barrier at the time of the is that the surgery size of the stoma and pre-cut barrier are almost the same; therefore, it does not allow the swelling to lessen. After the swelling goes down, you can use a pre-cut ostomy wafer.

2. Cut-to-Fit Ostomy Barrier or Wafer

Well, the cut-to-fit ostomy barrier is available in various sizes. You can cut your ostomy barrier according to the size of the stoma. In the cut-to-fit ostomy wafer, you can change the size and shape of the ostomy barrier. These are printable ostomy barriers. You can cut them in round, oval, square, or any other structure you want. Therefore, the cut-to-fit ostomy wafers are a perfect option who have irregular or up-size stoma after ostomy surgery.

3. Moldable Ostomy Barrier or Wafer

Moldable ostomy barrier is a new technology for stoma coverage. Well, it is a kind of cut-to-fit ostomy wafer with some additional bonuses. The main purpose of the moldable ostomy wafer is to protect the stoma and the surrounded skin. As the name of the moldable ostomy barrier clears that this is the flexible ostomy barrier or wafer. The moldable ostomy wafer is adjustable according to the size of the stoma. You do not need to cut it or re-size it, it is stretchable and adjustable. You need your fingers to roll the moldable ostomy barrier and adjust the size with the help of your fingers. We called the applying technique of the moldable ostomy wafer the turtle necking. The moldable ostomy barrier protects against the leakage from the stoma and the skin.

Some Important Information of Ostomy for New Ostomates

Well, first of all, I would like to tell you about ostomy. Ostomy is an artificial opening in your body that creates due to the surgery. It can be in any organ of the body after the surgery like ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy, gastrostomy, stoma, or any other. Therefore, a person who has an ostomy surgery is called ostomate.

Ostomy surgery can be a planned one, or it can happen because of a sudden injury. Whatever the reason, you will have to face too many ostomy words. After ostomy surgery, you will have to bear the burden of various ostomy objects like ostomy pouches, ostomy barriers, flanges, and baseplates. Thus, you need to learn about every piece of equipment related to an ostomy. When you go through an ostomy, you will hear many new terms from your doctors and nurses. Doctors and nurses usually use medical terminologies when they talk about any surgery. You may get surprised about the medical phrases your doctors and nurses use. Every word could be a new thing for you. However, do not get reluctant to ask them about the medical terms and their meanings. You must ask your doctors to clarify about the surgery and their equipment. Well, every person should have a little knowledge of the treatments and their medical terms. When you know some of the words, you will be able to advocate yourself.

Moreover, you should have some knowledge about the looks of the ostomy objects. For example, if your doctor talks about the ostomy barrier, you should have a visual concept of that word, if you do not know how the ostomy barrier looks like. Ask your doctor for visual aid, ask him to show you that object. Moreover, ask your nurse to demonstrate that specific equipment. Do not hesitate about asking the pictures of the unknown equipment and their demonstration. You should learn the use of ostomy bag, ostomy barrier, baseplates, flanges, and ostomy pouches. As when you will go home, you need to cater yourself alone. Therefore, you should know ostomy objects and their use. After leaving the hospital, you will have to use these objects on your own. At home, it's you who will change the ostomy pouch. Thus, you need to learn each and everything related ostomy from your doctors and nurses.

Key Points You Should Know After Ostomy Surgery

After the surgery, and before leaving your hospital, you should know about the ostomy supplies and their uses. Well, before saying adieu to your hospital, learn the following points from your doctor or nurse.

• Learn the fundamentals of ostomy terminologies, supplies, and related vocabulary.
• You should choose between the one-piece ostomy system and two-piece ostomy system.
• Learn from your nurse how to change your ostomy pouch without any help.
• If you won’t able to change your ostomy pouch, make sure there is a close person in your life who can learn and change your pouch on time.
• Choose between the drainable pouch and closed-end ostomy pouch. Decide it at your convenience what you want.
• You should learn how to clean your drainable ostomy pouch. If you are using a drainable pouch, you will have to clean it.
• Moreover, learn from your nurse about the proper care of your skin around the stoma.
• Ask your doctors how you will receive your ostomy equipment after leaving the hospital.
• You need to schedule your appointments from your doctor for your ongoing ostomy care.

Well, the above-mentioned points are just a rough guide for you. If you want to add or subtract some notes, you can. After all, it is you who are going through this painful time. Therefore, learn everything at your convenience. There is nothing necessary point. If you do not want to learn how to clean or change the ostomy pouch, it is ok, anyone close to you can learn and assist you.

Dog Boarding Facility owner with an ostomy

When I was growing up, I loved animals. I especially loved dogs the most. My all time favorite wild animal is hands down, a wolf. I love that they are pack or family-oriented, and I thought that was just like me. When I was graduating high school, I got in a bad accident that changed my life. I never imagined that I would own a dog boarding facility when I was growing up. I just knew I wanted to do something with animals. I had thought about being a veterinarian for a long time, but that all changed one day. 

When I had just graduated from high school, my family, as well as some family friends, went on vacation. We went to Florida to the same city we always go to. One day when we were at the beach, some friends and I saw a sandbank roughly one hundred yards from shore. We are all strong swimmers, and we knew we could make it out to the sandbank. We began swimming out. On our way out, we passed over a reef that was maybe twenty feet below us. We got out to the sandbank and were proud of ourselves. After about ten minutes of fun and games, one of my friends shouted shark. We were obviously scared and made the decision to stay on the reef since we had some land. After five minutes, we decided to try and swim for it. This was not the best choice. On the way back, I was attacked but fought back. It let go but not before taking a chunk of me with it.

I made it back to shore but blacked out right away from the pain. When I woke up, I was in the emergency room being told that the shark had bitten part of my large intestine and I would need a colostomy procedure immediately. Shortly after, I passed out again due to all the pain medication. When I woke up, I was in a different room, and the doctor there told me that I was going to be alright now, and I was in the surgery recovery room. I looked down, and to my shock, I had a weird puffy pink-red thing sticking out of my abdomen. The doctor then said that it was called a stoma. This is where all my bodily waste would exit. 

Shortly after my procedure, I had a vision per se, and I knew from there I would start my own dog boarding facility. I got in contact with some people who I know are in the industry and asked them how I should get started. After about a month, I got everything in order and opened it. It was tough at first with adjusting to having to work with my ostomy bag, but eventually, I was able to manage. I have to do my best to ensure no dogs jump on me as they can accidentally hurt my stoma. 

I never imagined that I would be the owner of a dog boarding facility. After a lot of hard work and dedication, I have managed to build this place from nothing. I am going on close to six years now of owning this facility, and I would not change it for the world.