Flying long-haul with a stoma | by Nikki
You have a stoma, and you’re going on a long-haul flight this summer? Freaking out? Don’t. You have no need to.
This was me a couple of years back. I was new to the stoma world and in desperate need of a break and some sun… but the excitement for the holiday was overshadowed by the nerves of flying long-haul with a stoma. Would my bag blow up like the little Pringle pots? How would I empty my bag in those scary little cubicles? What if I had a leak? What if someone would be able to smell that I’ve emptied my bag in the tiny toilet? What if I get stopped at security? What if I can’t explain what a stoma is because of a language barrier? The list goes on and on. The fears are real, and you’re not alone in feeling them when it’s your first time.
Let’s break it down into sections, so starting at the packing for a holiday and the airport. Here are my top tips:
☀️ Over pack, you can’t have too many supplies and if you don’t need them, bring them home. Contact your airline in advance and they will more than likely give you extra luggage, free of charge. I would also recommend splitting your supplies over suitcases, if you are travelling with family or friends. This means if there is a case of the missing suitcase… you will still be covered. It’s also wise to take a ‘safety kit’ in your hand luggage, you might need it on the flight.
☀️ Sunflower lanyards – these are brilliant. They are recognised in many countries, and discreetly lets staff know in airports that you have a hidden disability.
☀️ Stoma passport – you can find this online, or ask your delivery company to provide one. It is a booklet that describes what a stoma is in lots of different languages.
☀️ Letter from the hospital or consultant. If you are taking medication, make sure it’s in the boxes along with a letter from a medical professional, explaining your condition and the medication.
☀️ Get to the airport in plenty of time, it’ll take the pressure off and give you more time to relax and get everything in order and speak to staff if needed. If you are pulled to the side during security, there will be no panic if you have plenty of time to get your documents and medication looked at.
The flight and some more top tips:
✈️ Avoid foods and drinks that make you gassy before flying. Stick to foods you know are safe for you, and maybe avoid the curry on offer.
✈️ Once you are on the flight, empty when you can, not when you have to. No queue at the toilet? Jump up and go and empty. Don’t wait until it’s full to the brim to go and get in a queue of 10 people.
✈️ If there is a queue, and you need to get there quickly, show your ‘cannot wait card’ or speak to a member of staff. Don’t be afraid of asking for help, that’s what they are there for.
✈️ If you have a leak, then go to the toilet to change your bag. As long as you have your safety kit with you, it’ll be exactly the same as doing it at home. Just in a smaller space.
✈️ Your bag will not blow up. Air pressure in the cabin won’t make your bag blow up and you float off into the air.
✈️ Use neutralising drops in your bag, so when you do empty, it smells nice and fresh for the next person in line.
Wherever you are off to, however long the flight… you can do it. As I say in most of my blogs, life is for living. We’ve had a second chance, so don’t let having a stoma and the fear put you off booking that holiday. Go and enjoy it. Go and live life.
If you’re navigating the same path, I want you to know it’s not just possible to thrive professionally with a stoma, your resilience like me might just be your greatest strength.
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