Colostomy care: Organizations + support

Try these organizations...

United Ostomy Association, Ins (U.O.A.)
36 Executive Park Suite 120
Irvine, California
92714-6744 (800) 826-0826
www.uoa.org

Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
1550 S. Coast Highway
Suite 201
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(888) 244-9626
www.wocn.org

The American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org

Crohns' and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)
(800) 932-2423
www.ccfa.org

I know that UOA has lots of chapters, and can actually arrange for a visit with another person who has an ostomy. I am sure he is just having a problem coping with the drastic change, and it seems like he fears that he will possible smell or offend someone, so he wants to keep the bags super clean. I think it's a natural reaction, and I think in time, he may adjust and relax about it. If he has the money to spend on the additional ostomy bags, just let him do it for now. He needs to do what he needs to do to make the adjustment easier for him. You can submit his name to the UOA web site for free info, that will be mailed to him. That way, you have given him some valuable resources to help him with his choices. For now, I wouldn't pressure him too much.

You are are good friend to try to help him in this way, and he is lucky to have you!

BTW, I haven't heard of the disposable bags or seen them, and I am the worst ostomy nurse in the world! I have the hardest time applying the darn things! I guess it's usually b/c in HH we get the ones with adjacent wounds, which make the wafers hard to get entirly flush with the skin. UOA can also provide tons of info about available appliances.