Welland Medical

 

Ostomates’ Stories

Mr A.Q. was 49 years old when he suffered peritonitis from a perforated bowel caused by diverticular disease. Emergency surgery was carried out and a temporary colostomy formed. However, due to post operative complications from an anastomotic leak, further surgery was necessary which resulted in a permanent stoma.

A.Q. was at the time in full time employment, a managing director of a multi-national manufacturing company which involved frequent international travel. At the time of surgery A.Q. was too ill to think about the consequences of living with a stoma but as he got better one of his main concerns was whether he would be able to return to work and the reaction of colleagues and customers. All A.Q.’s surgery was carried out as emergency procedures. As a result his stoma was formed high on his abdomen so he worries about the visibility of stoma pouches through his clothes. Initially A.Q. wore a 2 piece stoma pouch, after returning to work after 6 months he soon became aware of the issues surrounding disposal of used pouches.

For the past 2 years A.Q. has worn a Welland Medical 1 piece flushable pouch, he claims that it has changed his life, he no longer feels anxious about international travel, he has regained his confidence and disposal is no longer an issue; changing the 1 piece flushable pouch is a quick and easy procedure, reducing odour generated at pouch change and with the softer flange adhering better to wrinkles and scarring there is less chance of odour or leakage occurring.

A.Q. has found that the Flair Active® Xtra 1 piece flushable pouch flushes first time, every time and when asked how he would feel if this pouch was not available he said:

“it would be a dreadful, retrograde step! I would seriously consider retiring as the thought of international travel, long haul flights, hotels etc; without a flushable pouch depresses me”.

 

Mr K.F. has had a colostomy for over 20 years; the original cause for formation of a stoma was cancer. At the time of his illness K.F. was in full time employment but due to the stress and anxiety caused by the diagnosis, the post operative chemotherapy and having to live with a permanent stoma K.F. decided to take early retirement. K.F.’s major concern of having a stoma was the impact it was going to have on his life style but with the support of his wife and making some life changing decisions he has over the years of having a stoma learnt to cope well, he has experienced using many different products and now has found one that allows him to live his life to the full.

K.F. recognised disposal of used pouches immediately after returning home from hospital and this was a major contributing factor in his decision to take early retirement. For many years he used a closed pouch which he cut and emptied into the toilet before disposing of the used pouch in the domestic rubbish, he talks about the unpleasant handling of faeces and the time involved in changing a colostomy pouch as being unhygienic and stressful, preventing him from enjoying life.

Since having a Welland Medical 1 piece flushable pouch available KF has been able to resume his hobbies of golf, walking and gardening. He has been able to take several holidays where issues of disposal no longer exist. K.F. finds the 1 piece flushable pouch “far superior” to any other pouch he has tried over the years. He recommends a 1 piece flushable pouch for being

“far better in many ways, easier and quicker changing, less odour and no disposal issues”.

 

P.G. was working full time in a large supermarket store when she became unwell and was diagnosed with a rectal tumour. When she was told that she would have to have a stoma she felt that her life was over, was worried about how she would cope and what sort of restrictions it would have on her lifestyle. P.G. lives with her husband who has been a great support, but even today several years later and living with a stoma she still recognises the effect it has on her life style and worries about coping outside the home, body image, odour and disposal of used pouches.

On the advice of her surgeon P.G. took early retirement from her work but has regained confidence in herself and enjoys an active life. Before being introduced to a 1 piece flushable pouch P.G. wore a closed pouch which she disposed of in the domestic waste, something that she never felt comfortable with. When she was away from home she coped by wearing a drainable pouch and emptying the contents into the toilet before disposing of the used pouch, she had felt embarrassed by the odour this had generated and by having to leave used pouches in hotel bins even though they were tied in a disposal bag.

Hobbies enjoyed by P.G. are going to the theatre, holidays and swimming but toilet facilities, concerns about disposal and the lack of disposal bins had always deterred P.G. from enjoying these as much as she would have liked, until discovering the 1 piece flushable pouch.

Since wearing a Welland Medical 1 piece flushable pouch P.G. feels more confident about her stoma care routine, finds changing the pouch quick and easy and has no more disposal  issues, she has travelled abroad many times and no longer worries about toilet facilities. Of the 1 piece flushable pouches she comments;

 “I cannot praise these pouches enough, they are just great!”