Hi, I had a fabulous time in Florida and managed fine with my Stoma there, I had a couple of occasions of having to rush to the toilet with high output but generally found it no bother.  I rang BA in advance to ask for seats near to the toilet on the plane and they booked these no problem for me.  It was good to have the reassurance but think I would have been fine if I hadn’t had these.  I managed going round the parks with the walking and going on the roller coasters as I would have before.  I was a bit more tired than usual and usually flaked out by 10.30pm but the days were full on! I found that the holiday was uplifting and gave me a boost after the treatment I had been through and helped me to manage the next treatments.  Everyone is different, you will know yourself how you are feeling after your surgery.  It’s likely you will feel tired and weak initially, having a Stoma can take a little while to adjust to and accept emotionally but on a practical level, it doesn’t take long to get used to managing.  Take it easy after your operation. I really hope all goes well for you and you manage to have a nice holiday.  Sending lots of healing thoughts and good wishes x

It is always an anxious time waiting, hope it’s not too long. Because of my chemo dates and waiting for scan results, I wasn’t sure until a few weeks before whether we could go to Florida but I found it really helped me to stay positive and relax with everything else going on.  I had short course radiotherapy the week before we went and I think most people thought I was crazy but the holiday really was therapeutic for me!  Sending best wishes to you for your upcoming treatment and wishing you a speedy recovery x

So pleased you had a great holiday, I am sure it will give confidence to other  people travelling! 

Thank you for the good wishes and if you have treatment ahead, I hope it all goes well! 

Can I ask if it was difficult to get travel insurance? x

Hi Poppies

Thank you for your best wishes and i send the same to you. 

The holiday dilemma is playing on my mind but hopefully all will be well and we will still get away for a relaxing break.  

Hope all goes well for you

Thank you so much for your encouraging response and glad your holiday went well

I have taken your advice onboard and will hopefully recover well from the op and get used to having a stoma in good time to go away in November. 

Thanks again for replying so quickly x

Hi there hang in there my name is Jayne aged 66 had my ileostomy 1976  you will be fine, it is traumatic at first i would like to know your age not as it makes any difference.  Remember you are alive thats the first thing, its early days get in touch with me if you wish i would be happy to help 20th August is my birthday lol.   Life is so precious i will tell you this the only difference between you and your husband is you go to the toilet differently. I do everything swimming i went horse riding swam in sea in egypt snorkeling, even went down on a scuba machine deep under the sea in majorca.  You will get there i am here if you need help where do you live????? All my love jayne

Hi i am jayne had my ileostomy 43 years i call him leo lol go girl have fab holiday i have had 4 this year you have to live life to the full, i always say its good to be alive enjoy

Hi i think it depends on how you feel but if you feel well enough and yiu can cope go for it xxxx tot ileostomy for 43 years xxxxx

I was rushed to hospital 2 years ago with severe abdominal pain.   I had to have a major operation for a twisted bowel and ended up with stoma bag.    I must admit I am coping quite well with the bag and after much discussion with my husband and surgeon have decided not to have the reversal done.   The thought of my bowel twisting again and experiencing the pain has put me off.    However, the social side of having a stoma bag was slightly off-putting.   Visiting friends houses for dinner and thinking my bag may start filling up use to make me uncomfortable.    After reading this site 6 months ago someone mentioned that they were irrigating their bowel and only changed their stoma bag every 24 hours.    I decided to have a go at this and have never looked back.    I contacted my Stoma nurse at the hospital who made an appointment for me to visit her to show me what to do.  

All you do is fill your bowel with warm, clear water from a pipe and your bowel empties down the loo via a long plastic bag.   The whole procedure takes between 45 mins and 90 mins and generally that it for 24 hours.    I don't wear the normal stoma bag any more just a small round one.    Honestly, if anyone is having problems with a stoma bag try irrigating.    I don't worry at all when I go out now.   I feel like I have a 'normal' life again.   

Hi I am very interested in speaking to you.About your multiple myeloma and surgery my sister has multiple myeloma and has just been diagnosed with bowel cancer and needs major surgery.thank you Hope