Stomawise | The UK Support Network for Ostomates | Ileostomy, Colostomy & Urostomy

Lucy Gastronaut helping “Ana Mel”

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:05:22 +0000

“Ana Mel” was born with Hirschprungs disease in the bustling Rio de Janerio General hospital’s maternity ward.

Luckily the paediatrician on duty spotted the problem within hours, otherwise mum and baby would have been discharged in 24 hrs and then Ana Mel would have died.

Luckily, a surgeon was on hand to perform an emergency colectomy removing the large bowel and connecting the small bowel via a stoma (and bag) and clearing her small intestine through.

Her rectum was also removed – all this at 6 days old. She was fed intravenously after the operation but as soon as she was able, started nursing properly from mum who had been expressing milk so that she could feed her.

The colostrum feed was stored and given immediately. Ana Mel is now 11 months and doing fantastically.

Ana Mel was presented with Lucy via the Brazilian Ostomy association who had received it as a gift from CASA – the Colostomy Association of South Australia, who had been given some samples as gifts from www.thebowelmovement.co.uk for charity cases such as these.

CASA supports a missionary group that travel to the Pacific islands with supplies, aided by the Gastronauts.

They have also presented two other Gastronauts to child ostomates in Papua New Guinea and Fiji in the last two months.”

Ostomates hit the Catwalk

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:57:20 +0000

At Newton Abbot race course on Saturday 21^st April Hollister in association with Hoopers Department store hosted a open day for ostomates which included Makeovers by Clarins, Hollister products, Local Stoma Nurses, Ostomy support organizations and a fashion show hosted by Hoopers where ostomates could also join in and strut their stuff on the Catwalk.

To see a larger version of the images simply click on them, if you are feature in any of the images and would like a copy please email Stomawise at admin@stomawise.co.uk stating the image number.

Mum hoping she can use her pain for others’ gain

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:04:20 +0000

Ulcereative Colitis sufferer Donna Mear from North Shields looking to increase the awareness of ostomy.

DONNA Mear used to be afflicted by regular pains so severe that she did not even notice when she went into labour.

That pain is now a thing of the past for, but the 32-year-old is determined that something good will come out of those bad times by offering support to others suffering from the same condition.

For years, Donna, of Weyhill Avenue in North Shields, was forced to make up to 40 visits to the toilet a day due to ulcerative colitis, a condition causing ulcers and open sores.

Her abdominal pain was so severe that she did not even notice her labour cramps prior to the birth of her daughter Evangelina four years ago.

“When I was pregnant with Eva I started getting really heavy bleeding and I could not get out of bed without fainting” said Donna, also a mum to Kieran, nine.

“I suffered for weeks and ended up being rushed into hospital after losing about four or five pints of blood.

“I was in hospital with ulcerative colitus when Eva was born.

“I did not feel the labour pains until her head appeared because the pain from my bowel condition was so severe.”

After taking steroids and other medication for 13 months, Donna underwent surgery to have her colon removed and was fitted with a permanent stoma bag in May last year.

“Since the surgery I have my life back and I can be a mum again,” she said.

“I can do little things like going camping with my son.

“I am gradually getting back into watersports and I have already been climbing and abseiling.”

Donna now wants to help other people dealing with the pain and embarrassment of bowel conditions and has set up a support group called North East Stoma Girls on Facebook.

The group plans to hold meetings and offer advice and help to people living with permanent or temporary stoma bags, as well as raising awareness of Crohn’s disease.

“I want to raise awareness and educate people about the bag,” said Donna, pictured.

“People are scared that the bag will make them ugly and they will not be able to do normal things like go to the beach.”

Donna will also be zipwiring across the Tyne in June to raise funds for the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, Stomawise, Ostomy Lifestyle and the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Holiday Travel

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:47:26 +0000

Holiday time is here again with Easter only 4 weeks away, listed below you will find some useful Travel tips.

You should ensure you have you European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and that it has not expired, and also valid travel insurance for your trip. There are many companies that will provide travel insurance for Pre Existing Medical Conditions, Normally this insurance will cost you a little more than normal travel insurance, and is worth being truthful when completing the application form as if in the unlikely event you need to use your insurance you need to know the cover is correct and not leave you with a large bill for medical services.
Carry all your stoma supplies in your hand luggage just in case a suitcase goes missing. (Some airlines will allow you an extra 5 – 10kg of hand luggage if you are carrying essential medical supplies, check with the airline as they all have different rules).
Take with you twice the number of appliances you would normally use in the period you are away as international food could cause your stoma to act differently, plus a few extra in case of emergency (i.e. ash cloud delays).
Fittleworth offer a service called “World Assist Alliance” to their customers for the emergency supply of ostomy products while you are outside of the UK. This service is available if you have had your Prescription fulfilled by Fittleworth for at least 3 months prior to your travel. By special agreement between Fittleworth and Stomawise, you can email admin@stomawise.co.uk for a code and then contact Fittleworth on 0800 378 846 with the code. You will then only need to have placed one order prior to your journey, to be covered by World Assist Alliance.
If you cut your own appliances, pre-cut several for the journey as scissors if you are flying will have to be put in your main suitcase (not within hand luggage).
If you are flying it’s a good idea to make yourself a emergency kit in a small bag that you can discreetly take to the toilet with you in case of an emergency.
Carry a travel certificate certified by your doctor so if stopped by security staff out of the UK, the travel certificate can talk for you and explain your condition. Find out more.

Remember before going through airport security to empty your pouch as the body scanners will not show as much if the pouch is empty.
It is a good idea to use an isle seat on the aircraft as it is easer to get up and make your way to the toilet together with access to the overhead lockers.
If you normally use a closed pouch, it can be a good idea for the duration of your journey to use a drainable pouch for ease during the journey.
Drink plenty of water during the flight especially if you have an ileostomy as it is very easy to dehydrate during a flight.

Find a cool area out of direct sunlight and excessive heat in your room to store your appliances as direct sunlight on them can damage the adhesive properties of the skin barriers. A good idea is to use a cool bag that you would normally store drinks in to store your supplies, in or even the room’s safe if their is one as they are normally quite cool.
You may find it more comfortable to use a pouch cover over your pouch in hot climates as a layer of cotton between the pouch and your skin will help stop the pouch sticking to your skin in humid climates. Find Out More.
If you are going out on day trips it’s a good idea to pre cut a pouch / back plate and take the emergency kit you had for the outward journey with you in case of accidents or mishaps.
Swimwear is available for ostomates, for the gents they are basically a long short with an internal pocket to support the pouch, for the Ladies Vanilla Blush do several ladies swimming costumes that have a short skirt with two cords at the sides that will allow you to ruffle up the skirt over the stomach area to hide the pouch, they also have an internal pocket to support the pouch.
Always drink plenty of bottled water to avoid dehydration if you do become dehydrated sports drinks and coke are the best drinks to help re-hydrate you.
Take some Imodium or other anti-diarrhoea medication with you in case of an upset tummy or watery output to help control your output. If you do suffer from the above drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Make sure when having drinks with ice, the ice is made from bottled water and avoid spicy food and alcohol if your tummy is upset.

Salts Healthcare Open Days

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:31:29 +0000

Salts Healthcare’s Health & Wellbeing Open Days.

If you wish to attend any of the following days, please call Freephone 0800 626388 for more information and to register your attendance.

Location: Newcastle United Football Club.

Magpie Suite, Sports Direct Arena, Newcastle NE1 4ST.

Date: 14th March 2012 10.30am – 2pm (presentations start at 11am prompt)

Location: SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff.

Morgan Cole Lounge, SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff CF11 9XR.

Date: 21st March 2012 11.00am – 2pm
(presentations start at 11.30am prompt)

Location: Portsmouth City Football Club.

Victory Lounge, Fratton Park, Frogmore Road, Portsmouth PO4 8RA

Date: 30th March 2012 10.00am – 1pm
(presentations start at 10.30am prompt)

Location: Channels Lodge Hotel & Golf Club.

Belsteads Farm Lane, Little Waltham, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 3PT.

Date: 24th April 2012 10.00am – 2pm
(presentations start at 11am prompt)

Maggie Baldwin On Spring Fashion

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:31 +0000

After a successful first year in University, together with the trials of leaving home and adaptation to university life with an Ostomy.

Watch Maggie’s latest video “Casual Spring Fashion for Ostomies”

To read more on Maggie’s story you can find her Here

Vanilla Blush New Products

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:25:38 +0000

Vanilla Blush Introduce Two New Products to Their Range “Tantastic” & “Turqilicious”.

Both are available now on-line now from size 6 to size 20 at the bargain introductory price of £10per pr.

Visit http://www.vblush.com to find out more and view the rest of their range.

OstoMART Leading Technology

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:01:19 +0000

OstoMART’s Responder Home Delivery Service customers now benefit from the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

OstoMART Ltd are pleased to announce that we are one of the first Dispensing Appliance Contractors to be fully operational for the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) in England.

EPS is an NHS Service which allows you the patient the opportunity to change the way your GP sends your prescription to us as this service allows your GP practice to send your prescription electronically to us at OstoMART. This means there is less need for you to visit your GP practice just to collect your prescription to post to us as we can do this for you using EPS.

We have invested in the very latest NHS computer equipment to allow our customers to fully benefit from this new service, therefore patients using our Responder Home Delivery Service for their stoma supplies will be able to benefit from an even faster service, with no need to collect your prescriptions in person and post them, more patient choice and an overall easier process from the comfort of your home. You can ask your GP practise if they are set up for EPS and if not when this will happen.

To register for the Responder Service or to find out more about EPS and how it can benefit you, call us on Freephone number 0800 220300 or visit www.ostomart.co.uk.

Daring Donna Mear – Update

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:16:17 +0000

Sponsorship Link Added for Daring Donna

Has decided to prove beyond doubt life goes on after Ostomy surgery by Zip Wiring from the world famous Tyne Bridge to raise Ostomy Awareness.

The zip slide will start from the Newcastle side of the bridge and travel diagonally across the River Tyne for 230m before finishing at HMS Calliope on the Gateshead side of the river

Donna’s adventure will be on 16th June 2012 at 11.30 and she would like all to sponsor her to raise funds for the following charities.

National Association For Colitis And Crohn’s Disease
British Lung Foundation London
Stomawise
Ostomy Lifestyle

My online sponsorship page is NOW active so please click here and help support my efforts.

Stomawise HCP

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:45:42 +0000

Stomawise Health Care Professional (HCP) is now complete and working by popular request.

Stomawise HCP is a helpful tool if you are a Consultant, Doctor, Stoma Nurse or Practice Nurse. Within a dedicated area of the Stomawise site you are able to download in PDF format.

Motivational stories from existing stoma patients to help your new patients.
Ostomy product manufactures latest catalogues and leaflets.
Order more supplies of the Stomawise Introduction Leaflets for your Practice, Surgery or Clinic.
Update your contact details and Postal address.
Request Stomawise to attend an event you are holding.

To request access to this dedicated area just email registrations@stomawise.co.uk with your Name, Hospital/Practice details and a password you can remember, we will then create your account and email you back with your login details etc.