November/December 2001
Page 3
Winter Ostomy Concerns
or those of us who live in northern climates and have undergone ostomy surgeries, it is important to use caution when shovelling snow. Because we have had abdominal incisions, we are at higher risk than the general public and must protect ourselves from stoma injury. Keep in mind the following safety precautions when shovelling your way through the piles of snow that await us this winter.
Because we are all different, check with your doctor to see if there are weight limitations for you to push or lift. Do a little at a time and rest in between, it does not usually have to be done all at once. Pushing snow may be easier than lifting every shovelful. Hold the handle slightly to the side of your body as you push the shovel along; that way, if you were to hit an uneven part of the driveway or sidewalk, the handle would not suddenly poke into your abdomen or stoma. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after shovelling - shovelling is strenuous exercise. Don't hold your breath while straining to lift heavy snow, breathe through the lift. Wear boots that have a good grip - not ones which may cause you to slip and fall.
If you are not physically up to shovelling safely, hire someone to do it or ask a relative or a friend to do it for you. It is not worth injuring yourself or facing additional surgery just to get it done.
Editor's Note You may not be aware of your stoma getting cold, as it has no pain sensors. Some people cover their stomas by wearing a longer length coat, some by carefully pinning a washcloth over the stoma and pouch as added insulation. Don't forget the contents of the pouch - as any northerner with a stoma can tell you, the contents can get ice cold if not covered - observe caution that this cold stuff does not get up by your stoma when you empty your pouch. You wouldn't rinse with ice water, don't accidentally incur injury with ice cold contents.
Source: Rock Co. Wisconsin Chapter; via Metro Halifax News Nov/99, via Inside Out On-line Nov/Dec 2001.
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