Travels with my colostomy: a colostomate’s journey to freedom
For many of us, the escapism that travelling brings has become a large part of how we maintain our health and wellbeing. Whether it’s a means of satisfying the wanderlust within, expanding horizons and exploring new places, or a peaceful retreat with a loved one, travel has become more accessible for many people.
However, for some people with a colostomy, travelling may seem less achievable. Whilst there is plenty of advice and support available for travelling when you have a colostomy, when it comes to taking the leap and digging out that passport, many people feel daunted about the practicalities of managing away from home. Watch the animation below to hear the story of how cancer survivor and colostomate, Vicki, has rediscovered her freedom after having her colostomy surgery.
Vicki lives in West Sussex with her husband and can usually be found socialising with friends and family. As a former flight attendant, she still loves to travel and see the world and so relies on her colostomy pouch to provide her with the safety, security and discretion she needs, particularly when in unfamiliar environments. Vicki discovered a type of colostomy pouch that is flushable, so it can be flushed away in domestic toilets. After testing it out with some free samples she was so impressed that she has never looked back, the Aura Flushable colostomy pouch doesn’t restrict her when she travels and gives her the security and freedom she needs to feed her wanderlust.
Vicki explains, “When using a normal pouch, you have to dispose of it in a bin, I used to worry what would happen if I couldn’t find a bin? With a flushable pouch you don’t have this worry.”
“Aura Flushables are brilliant. They enable me to do all that I want to do these days – all the things I could do before I had a colostomy.” She continues, “Life with a colostomy doesn’t have to be sitting at home, not going anywhere, not visiting people. The flushable pouches give you the freedom to be you again.”
The way her new pouch works gives Vicki freedom and allows her to indulge her love of travelling and socialising with comfort and ease. Successful independent testing1 on the most common train vacuum toilet, the EVAC, means Aura Flushable’s inner liner can be flushed on trains. Due to the complexity of train vacuum toilets, only the inner liner containing the waste should be flushed and the flange should be separated and disposed of in a bin along with the outer cover. The ability to be flushed on the go gives colostomates even more freedom to travel.
Vicki hopes telling her story can help other colostomates find their freedom too. Meet Vicki in the video below to hear more about how she was able to find freedom with a colostomy.
Aura Flushable pouches are available on prescription, ask your Stoma Care Nurse or your GP at your next appointment.
1. CliniMed Data on File
To see more stories told by colostomates like Vicki, visit www.flushablefreedom.co.uk
Aura Flushable is available on prescription, for more information or to order your free sample:
Call the Freephone Careline on 0808 301 2401
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Email [email protected] quoting 19 Silversurfers
PID 7085
