I’ve been chronically ill for two decades, so planned and emergency hospital admissions with a stoma have always been part of my routine
Why I’m going back into hospital
For those who follow my account, you will know that I have been rather unwell recently. I was admitted to hospital last year for three weeks, thanks to an acute pancreatitis flare, and was admitted again at the end of August this year due to severe sweating, nausea and vomiting.
As it turned out, my gallbladder was full of gallstones, linked to my 2018 proctectomy and my previously diagnosed bile acid malabsorption.
I received a phone call on Monday the 19th of October to book me in for urgent surgery. My MRI report had finally come back, and I was moved from the standard wait list to the urgent list.
After the phone call, blind panic and chaos ensued! My husband had to cancel his camping trip and scrambled to call our dog walker to see if he could book Ruby (our dog!) in for additional walks, as I wouldn’t be able to walk her during my recovery.
What I’m packing for my hospital admission with a stoma
I am being admitted on Saturday 24th of October, but first, I must pack a bag for the stay in hospital. This includes medication, stoma supplies and any other essentials I might need post-surgery.
For my hospital admission with a stoma, I’m packing:
- My medication & a paper copy of my repeat prescription
- My stoma supplies, including four precut stoma bags, four barrier rings, four black bags, adhesive remover & two packs of dry wipes
- Three pairs of knickers
- One sports bra
- Two pairs of pyjamas
- Two pairs of socks
- One pair of joggers
- One hoodie
- One t-shirt
- A wash bag with all my essentials, including my toothbrush and shower gel
- My iPad and charger
I am relieved that the surgery is happening at my local hospital. It’s only 10 minutes down the road from where we live, which is ideal for me; my husband can easily bring clean clothes and extra stoma supplies, and take home my dirty laundry, if I have to stay on the ward for an extended period of time.
Recovering from surgery with a stoma
My recovery is going to take a while, and it was only 18 months ago I was having my last open surgery. However, the surgeon was very impressed that I managed to go 17 years with my gallbladder intact with the amount of bowel I’ve had removed.
But it’ll be worth it in the end. Here’s to being able to eat Christmas dinner this year and not having to double-check all the food I eat!
