Did your stoma ruin your vacation?

Flying with a stoma is not all it's cracked up to be but it is not the worst thing either.  Driving for miles with poopy diapers and my own stoma bags is not the end of the world too.  Does this sound like a nightmare or a great time?  Well, to be honest, I would say it is a little of both and a great way to make memories with family or friends for a lifetime and should not be halted because you have a stoma.  When you first learn that you are going to have surgery and will be living with a stoma it is really a scary time and it was rightfully so.  Your mind races and your heart just sinks.  The thought of living with a stoma is just disheartening for many.  On the other hand, it can save lives and many people have the opposite reactions because they are going to be safe and healthy. Either way, we all feel differently and it is all OK.  At some point, selfishness kicks in and our thoughts then linger to how good we will look, and will we ever be able to vacation again.  The answer is yes, you can and will still look good and most definitely yes you can go on vacation.  I like to plan my vacations wisely and make sure my health is going to be just fine as well.  

Don't fret too hard about the location and don't let your stoma lead the way.  The details and complications of how many diapers to bring and how much gear for my stoma I will personally need are really secondary.  Now that was a bit of a fib because let's face it those things do come first, but you must decide on the location and duration before the real planning can begin.  So know that if you are going to head to a sandy beach vacation that you will want to bring some extra gear. Sand and water ruin everything and that is just normal. Just be smart and be preparied

When ai am on the sand what do I do? Well, lots of things. I think waterproof gear is essential and it is also pretty cool.  For the basics, I buy a box of ziplock bags.  I like the zipper kind because I am a bit lazy and they waterproof just about as good as anything else.  I then double bag everything.  It takes a lot of zip locks but it is worth it.  Then I do it all again!  Why would I do it all twice?  Because things get lost or stolen on vacation.  Or even worse sand and water win and somehow find a way to destroy gear.  So take two sets of everything and separate them.  Pack one set in the trailer or car top carrier.  Just double up and be smart about it.

If you are on the sand, I actually take the gear I may need in an emergency and double bag it, and put it in a waterproof case or cooler.  I like Otterbox gear and find that it holds up well to beach destruction.  It seals out sand and water and if I need something I know that it will be the sand and water on me that causes an issue and that is great