Hi Liza, that’s brilliant that you have been able to experiment with different clothes, dressing well is a big part of being normal. The leak well an incident like that shakes any ostomate. The wound seems to be your problem and when that’s under control it’s going to be easier. You have coped so well in the face of so much. Think how well you can do when better sorted 

Hi Liza,

I can't help but wince any time I hear of anyone having a leak. John hit it on the head. You have that to look forward to. There's nothing like anticipation of better days to spur the dogged march forward.

Thanks John and Tony!!  Both for focusing on the positive part of my post (which I only included to emphasize how devastating this was to me), and also empathizing with the bad part (even though you both downplayed how bad it was.) 😂 I am the queen of ostomy leaks, and there is no way this was simply a leak - it was crap fest 2019!!  😂 💩

Hi Liza,

Definitely didn't mean to minimize your unhappiness. The "leaks" are emotional torture for sure.

Hi Liza,    Leaks, ugh. I have had only a couple, and they were at home - but, yes, always have my spare kit in my purse. Glad you remembered yours! Jean leggings are great, I agree; I wear them or black leggings all the time. They make me feel more confident. I look a little pregnant on one side and I think they sort of even things out. Sort of. LL

Liza love, leaks are something we can all relate too. I "liked" your forum but only because you handled it so well and I can truly relate!!! We all can! Lol. They will be a fact of life crapping up (oh, did I say crapping,I meant cropping) when you least expect them too. Lol. We likely all have a bag in the truck or boot of the car (for John's sake) with a change of clothes we can all be without being in out closets, especially for times out like that! I always wear my pouch under my clothes from the beginning. Tights too ( I gave great legs!)-(haha.  Now!) Lol!!! But long tops are a must. My pouch hangs down my leg a bit. Chock it up to one experienced gained and under your belt, your a pro now, lol!  Next time, take clothes along for the ride. LOL! YOU DID GREAT.  So did your friend. The error may have been in rolling up the bag a bit and not allowing some air in the bag to give room for falling particles to the bottom. You'll figure it all out. Glad your still with us! Lol. All the best!

Liza, Bummer! But at least you were out there. New clothing and a new social setting. Thats all we can do. Just keep growing and learning.  There are none of us here who haven't had bad blow outs in uncomfortable conditions. Good to have plans A, B and C ... for extra CRAP!.

It sounds like you did great!

Liza, 

I have to say, that despite the trouble you had that evening, the experience you gained hopefully made up for it! I'm often "glad" when things like this happen because it allows me to test my knowledge and my emergency kit, and allows me to tweak things that need to be improved. 

Hopefully, there won't be a "next time". I'm am happy to know that you are getting comfortable enough to experiment - don't let this mishap discourage you! 

Hi Liza,

Yes, we've all had some experience where we had to change our appliances while away from home. Its bound to happen sooner or later. It happened to me a couple of months back - my appliance kept going flat despite the fact that I had covered the filter on my bag. I was at a real estate office while my sister was signing papers for her new home when I finally had to excuse myself. Fortunately, I always carry extras and supplies in my purse and have an extra set of clothes in the car just in case. I have also had blow outs, but so far, only at home. 

BTW, I think you handled your situation very well for a first time experience!

Stella

Thank you all for your kind and supportive comments!!  I appreciate it so much.

Tony--I definitely knew you weren't minimizing my unhappiness.  I was just teasing you and John for referring to the blowout as just a leak.  Hopefully that means you haven't experienced a true blow-out to know the difference.  :)

Eric--that is such a good way of looking at it.  For the most part my emergency kit was pretty well stocked, but I did see a couple areas I can improve it.  And since I fully anticipate this happening again, it is good to improve where I can.  :)

And to everyone who suggested I add a change of clothes to my emergency bag, I will definitely do that!!!  I can't always be lucky enough to be somewhere that I can borrow clothes from someone.  Ha ha.

Thanks again!!

Hi Liza,

I did have one blowout in my very early days, which was bad enough, but it was at home. Leak is a total euphemism. I can only guess how bad it must have felt to have it happen at a social gathering. My time, I'm sure, will come. Keep fighting.

@ileostony

I hope your time never comes for something like that!!  🙂

Hi guys, 

Well, I jumped back on the proverbial horse. I’m at a friends house for a party for her 2 yr old daughter and am wearing my jeans leggings again over my bag. Nervous and just emptied my bag even though practically empty. 😂 Brought my emergency bag and a change of clothes just in case. 🤞

Of course, since you went prepared, everything will go perfectly😀             

Being prepared is the best medicine we have once the ostomy is in place! Way to go Liza!

I made it through 4 hours at the party with no ostomy problem!!  Yay!!  I did start feeling sort of icky 3 hours in - sort of stomach and back pain and a little indigestiony (I don’t think that is a word). I don’t know if it was wearing clothes that weren’t as stretchy over the ostomy. I probably got the jeans a size smaller than I should have. They fit, but maybe don’t leave much room for the bag to fill. I’m not sure if that would cause this discomfort or not. I ordered then online and since I have been out walking every day, I went for the lower size between the two I was considering. Silly vanity.  😂😂

Hi Liza, I always have worn my bag under my clothes, I can’t see that it would have caused any ill feeling unless the stoma was crushed and flow restricted. I tend to find a size up is best. Well done 👍 success builds confidence. 

Liza,

So glad it went well for you. I have a similar experience when wearing clothing that is more restrictive than it ought to be. Sometimes a bit of backflow can result, which can be painful. A feeling of indigestion might also contain a component of anxiety, not that I'm saying it's all in your head. I've found I can't feel right wearing shirts I have to tuck in, which I sorely miss but have pretty much had no choice but to give up for now.

Again, it's gratifying to read you had no ostomy problems. There's just no substitute for that peace of mind.

Liza, one more thing. In reference to your "getting back on the horse," you sometimes put yourself down a bit, effectively calling yourself a complainer, but the drive that you evidence by not giving up demonstrates a contrary reality. Sure, there are some people worse off than just about everyone in one way or another. That doesn't render our difficulties immaterial or our right to express those painful feelings void. I think it only becomes an unhealthy cycle when we want to bemoan our plight to the exclusion of taking what steps we can to mitigate or hopefully eliminate the offending factors or heal our grief. Sometimes that means doing something scary like going to another party just one week after your blowout. It's like getting behind the wheel after being in a car accident. Gotta drive, gotta live. Sometimes the only way out is through.