Beek74

My ostomy nurse is wonderful. I've had an ostomy since I was 24 (I'm 38 now) and have been working with the same nurse for 12 years. What other areas of nursing do you get to follow someone that long and watch them go from total despair to acceptance? Having an ostomy that leaks is just awful. I can go for years without a leak, have a revision and have to start all over again, and I know my WOCN will work with me and advocate for me until we find something that works. She has never let me down. She has helped me through the emotional difficulties, she runs a great support group, and she doesn't give up until she finds something that works. I don't know if you all understand how important the work you do is to your patients. Having an ostomy is not easy, but it gets much easier if you have a great WOCN that you can count on. She makes the difference between me living in the bathtub or working and going to school. So, as a patient, I wanted to put that out there. You guys are great! :)

Ostomy nurses are very special. I've had an ostomy since I was 24 (I'm 38 now) and have been working with the same nurse for 12 years. What other areas of nursing do you get to follow someone that long and watch them go from total despair to acceptance. Having an ostomy that leaks is just awful. I can go for years without a leak, have a revision and have to start all over again, and I know my WOCN will work with me and advocate for me until we find something that works. She has never let me down.

I had UC until my ileostomy. Using the hat is so embarrassing for patients. But they're all correct, the patient should know what their trigger foods are.

Most ridiculous thing I ever had to come to the ER for. I had surgery, and got a wound infection. I was d/ced on a Friday evening. I left the unit and went to the grocery store to grab a few things with my mom before heading home. Suddenly I notice my JP bulb is open. The little tab that closes it and provides the suction has come off. I tried everything. I tried taping it up, went to CVS and asked the pharmacist if they carried them, called the unit I'd left only an hour ago. They all said go to the ER. I felt so stupid, but with the open drain leading into my body, just over a wound infection, and thinking about 2 days of bloody drainage getting on my clothes and sheets, I didn't know what was the best choice. So back to the ER. I was hoping they could just get me a new bulb and I could leave in a decent amount of time. Instead I was there 6 hours, had to be seen by a resident and a surgeon and have a whole exam even though I felt fine. I could not believe there was no better way to get a new JP bulb. If the thing had broken 2 hours earlier, it would have been a 5 minute issue.