Getting in touch with Learning Ostomy Gear

I really hope everyone has the best experience when it comes to learning how to deal with their new ostAboutomy. I know that my ostomy nurse was crucial to me being confident with my new body and helped me get over a lot of fear. Nurses and caregivers throughout the country were asked which responsibility is the most challenging when it comes to patient care. An enormous amount of caregivers answered that ostomy care is one of their most difficult responsibilities. They answered that this time of care is usually the most awkward because of the intimacy of changing or cleaning an ostomy bag. It is even listed as one of the most awkward treatments for patients because of the social taboos about excretion. It is so hard to jump into topics like this and not feel weird, but my nurse helped me get right over it quickly.

There is a little more to it than normal though and other members of the healthcare community can be really helpful. Family caregivers are also found to receive assistance with ostomy care more than any other medical task because of the risk and complexity of the task. Most people note needing more information and training in the cleaning and maintaining of the ostomy bag and skin surrounding. I also found that learning from social media was also a pretty cool way to see things done in person.

Now, there is where things can get pretty techical and fun. The procedure itself creates an opening in or around the gastrointestinal and urinary systems in the body. It is super important to be safe at this moment. Both are very critical and at high risk of getting infected. The surgery involves a bag where physical excretion is stored on the outside of the body. This leads to embarrassment for the patient as they try to navigate how to clean and manage it themselves while another caregiver is training. Sometimes the patient will never be able to care for the bag so a permanent caregiver will do the task. Often this creates a problem with self-image. It is a caretaker’s job to ensure the comfortability and trust between the patient and nurse.