Traveling for work with a stoma | by Summer
There is nothing like standing in a hotel bathroom at 6am with a cup of coffee in one hand and my stoma supplies in the other to remind me my work routine is far from average. So for those of you who don’t know, I work full time in events management, which means traveling the length and breadth of the UK. So how do I manage the event, myself and my stoma all at once? Well, let me explain….
Life on the road
A typical work trip for me might include flying to Edinburgh and then touring Glasgow & Aberdeen, which can mean rather long days. So the last thing I need to be worrying about is a stoma bag leak, which is why preparation is key!
My go-to travel hacks:
- I always always always change my bag either the morning of or night before
- Always have a prepacked travel kit to hand. In mine, I have x6 stoma bags, REFRESH 3in1 spray, x6 freeseals, baby wipes and bin bags. I religiously top this up, so I know when I’m packing for a trip, I can just throw this in my bag.
- Filter stickers in my toiletry bag. This is a new hack for me but using the filter stickers before showering helps extend my wear time. Plus keeping them with my body wash and face wash means I will never forget to put one on!
- Keep x1 bag, x1 freeseal & x2 dry wipes on hand at all times. I fold all mine up into the bag itself.
Choose your outfits wisely
Comfort = confidence. When I know I’ve got a long travel day, and I will be going straight onsite where I don’t know how often I will be able to empty my bag. So I often opt for high-waisted, loose, wide leg trousers – these are a lot more forgiving if my bag fills up! If I know I have a full travel day, I will always pack some leggings and an oversized jumper because let’s be honest… no one wants to empty their bag on a moving train or at the station toilets if it can be avoided!
Little things that make a big difference
- Keep your routine the same as you would at home, the only difference should be the location
- Part of my job is to ensure accessibility for all our guests so I will often scope out toilet situation ahead of time or once I’m at the venue. Nothing from stopping you doing the same
- Always carry a small grab and go supplies, don’t leave them buried at the bottom of your suitcase
Traveling by any mode of transport for a long period of time can feel daunting at first when you have a stoma bag but as with all things, it gets easier with practice. Over the next month, I have trips to Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool and trust me when I say the last thing I will be worrying about is my stoma bag!
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