Hen party celebrations with a stoma | by Rachel

After months of planning, it was finally the weekend of my cousins’ hen weekend! It was a long weekend away from the family, and the first one since having a baby, so to say I was nervous was an understatement. Alcohol would be involved, and having an ileostomy, I needed to make sure I was being sensible, whilst also allowing myself to have some fun and take some time to be just me for the weekend, not just a mum. Here I share how I navigated it being an ostomate.

Outfit

This is usually one that gets people thinking, as you may be in the camp where you like tight fitting clothes and don’t mind your stoma bags showing, or where you absolutely hate the thought of it showing. By showing, I mean the outline being seen through your clothes. There is no right or wrong way to feel about this, and everyone is different. I would like to think that most get to a point where they aren’t bothered so much, however I appreciate how much of a leap that is, and it can take a very long time to get there. If you are the type of person that will never get there, that is also ok, and there are lots of ways to hide it. Loose clothes that aren’t tight to your tummy is the most obvious choice. Wearing patterned clothes to distract and the outline blend in is an option if you want more of a fitted look. Support wear can be a saviour making everything stream lined. There are lots of options out there, but a good fitted pair of high-waisted underwear can do the same job, so please don’t feel like you need to spend lots of money!

Supplies

As always, it’s sensible to take more than you need when staying away from home. If it is a hen do abroad, a travel certificate can support you in showing what supplies you need, and should be signed by your doctor. You will need a print out of your supplies on your prescription also. A ‘can’t wait’ card and a radar key will also assist you in accessing disabled toilets should you need them, wherever you are. For heading out for your celebrations, a waste bag with a stoma bag with its hole cut ready with a pack of tissues, and any other essentials is important to take with you. I may have gone out without this before and risked it, but for an occasion like this, I always make sure I take something. If you use a spray of any kind, see what the smallest size is for travelling. You could also switch to wipes as a one off, which you could grab samples from online rather than trying to add to your normal order.

Alcohol intake and hydration

Dehydration is one of the biggest risks of having a stoma. With alcohol intake be sure to have a drink with electrolytes in-between alcoholic ones. Lots of solutions for electrolyte intake are available. You do not need to spend lots of money choosing branded products with a big price tag. It doesn’t mean they are any better. Dissolvable tablets or sachets would be best to carry around with you. Of course this is not a must, but advisable by stoma nurses to support the loss of electrolytes when drinking alcohol.

Being active

If the activities on offer are physical, be sure you are comfortable to take part in them, and you aren’t too close to your surgery date where you haven’t given yourself enough time to heal. Having a stoma should not stop you doing anything at all, but doing things for the first time with one can feel very daunting. Everyone feels this way, but try to dig deep and embrace what your stoma has given you and that you are in the perfect situation to make memories and join in. 

And finally…

There are lots of anxieties that can present themselves when going away with a stoma. Will you be sharing a room, will there be an ensuite? Will your bag leak in front of friends or even strangers? If you need to make sure there are disabled facilities, do your research before you go. Making sure you have the correct stoma bag and accessory products is a priority, to avoid any potential bag leaks. Keeping on top of emptying, and not leaving it too late is also important. Above all else, have the absolute best time you can, and try to revel in the escapism that it is all about love and making happy memories!

Rach
@gutsy.mum