Stoma Care Services

🌍✨ Just returned from an incredible experience at The World Council of Enterostomal Therapists conference in Glasgow! 🇬🇧

It was inspiring to connect with professionals from around the globe, share knowledge, and discuss the latest advancements in Stomal Therapy. The passion and dedication of everyone involved truly made this event unforgettable.

A big thank you to all the speakers for their invaluable insights and to the organizers for putting together such a fantastic conference. I’m excited to bring back what I’ve learned and continue to improve care in our community. Here’s to innovation, collaboration, and making a difference together! 💙

A huge thank you to Salts Healthcare for the opportunity to attend the conference with their support.

Living with a stoma can be challenging at first, but with time and proper care, many people are able to adapt and lead full and active lives. Here are some tips for living with a stoma:
1. Take care of your stoma: Make sure to clean and care for your stoma regularly to prevent infection and irritation. Follow the instructions given by your Stoma Therapy Nurse on how to clean and care for your stoma. Any concerns or problems get in contact with your Stoma Therapy Nurse.
2. Watch your diet: Certain foods may cause problems for people with a stoma, such as foods that are high in fiber, gas-producing foods, or foods that may cause blockages. It's important to pay attention to your diet and make adjustments as needed.
3. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help prevent dehydration, which can be a common issue for people with a stoma.
4. Stay active: Regular physical activity can help improve your overall health and well-being. Talk to your Stoma Therapy Nurse and Doctors about what types of exercise are safe for you to do with a stoma.
5. Talk to others: It can be helpful to talk to other people who have a stoma and share tips and experiences. Joining a support group or connecting with others online can provide valuable support and information.
6. Be prepared: Always carry extra supplies such as stoma bags, wipes, and adhesive removers when you're out and about. It's also a good idea to have a plan for handling emergencies.
7. Stay positive: It's normal to feel overwhelmed or self-conscious at times, but try to stay positive and focus on the things you can do rather than what you can't. Remember that having a stoma doesn't define who you are as a person.
Overall, living with a stoma may take some time to adjust to, but with the right support and care, many people are able to lead fulfilling and active lives. Don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or a support group if you have any questions or concerns.

“Beyond the Stoma”

Last week I had the pleasure with The Ileostomy Association of South Australia to ran an education day for local South East Ostomates at the beautiful Coonawarra.

The day was to provide basic stoma information along with tips and tricks for stoma management to those and their loved ones living with a stoma.

Our wonderful trade also attended and I would like to thank them very much. We had representatives from Coloplast, Ainscorp/Salts, Omnigon/Welland/Eakin and Liberty/Hollister/Dansac.
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What a pleasure!! Tonight I was invited by Coloplast to present ‘Taking the Complexity out of Convexity’ in Perth. A very special night sharing experiences with a lovely group of WA Stomal Therapy Nurses. Thank you to James, Bel and the whole Coloplast team for this opportunity. .au

Last month I was invited to present at the Barossa Stoma Support Group. A wonderful day meeting and spending time with some very passionate Ostomates that are doing their very best to support and advocate for Stomal services in their local area. I presented on what stomas are, the common products available on the Stoma Appliance Scheme and shared a few tips and tricks. Looking forward to joining them again in the future.

Is it normal for a stoma to change size and shape - YES

Especially in the first 6-8 weeks the stoma changes size due to swelling, sutures and healing. If a person loses or gains weight it will change size and shape as well. Along with each year as our abdominal muscles change with the aging process. If the stoma does change size or shape this can lead to incorrect products and potential for leaks and skin problems. To avoid these issues the stoma needs to be regularly measured to maintain correct bag size. We also recommended annual checks with a Stomal Therapy Nurse.

Continuing Stomal Therapy Week with a throwback photo from 2015. I would like to thank my first mentor and idol Kaye for being a totally amazing STN and the reason I become a STN. Along with 2 special nursing buddies that helped me achieve my goal with lots of laughs and have encouraged me my whole nursing career. Thank you for all the support and love.

Amanda 💕

Stomal Therapy Week continues today with an appreciation post for these amazing SA Stomal Therapy Nurses. Our SA team is full of the most passionate and dedicated Stoma Therapy Nurses, so proud to be apart of this wonderful crew.

National Stomal Therapy Week.

A dedicated week to celebrate, spread awareness and promote Stomal Therapy.

Bleeding:
Is it normal for stomas to bleed?

YES the bowel is very vascular and if taking blood thinning medication can bleed/show more.

If excess bleeding and in particular bleeding from inside stoma seek medical advice.

Shared from

June is Bowel Cancer awareness month. So many stories of late or missed diagnosis that just shouldn’t happen. I completely curative cancer if found early. Listen to your body and if your not heard by your health professional get a second opinion.

Absolutely amazing education event by Coloplast. A night focusing on our patients their journey and living with a stoma. So bloody proud of every patients but these brave ones that sat in front of a room and spoke so candidly about their stoma journey. Awesome job by Rachel for running such a fantastic event. .au and

Happy International Nurses Day

I thought it would be a good chance to reintroduce myself. I completed my Bachelor of Nursing at Uni SA in Mount Gambier in 2009 then moved to Adelaide to start my Nursing career at Calvary Wakefield. This is where I worked on the colorectal ward and saw my first stoma, I was amazed how stomas where made, how the bowel and be ‘chopped’ (resected) joined back together and stoma formed and people go on to live a normal life or even better quality of life then they had before. The then Stomal Therapy Nurse Kaye always blow me away with her knowledge and I remember as 1st year Grad I was like if I could just be 10% of her I’ll be an amazing Nurse. With her encouragement after 2 years of Nursing I went on to do my Stomal Therapy course which took a year and from 2013 I have worked as a Stomal Therapy Nurse. In 2017 I commenced working at the Colorectal Surgery for a group of incredible Colorectal Surgeons I had never felt the support and respect that they showed me as a Stomal Therapy Nurse. This is where I begin private practice until last year launching Stoma Care Services. Today my role is very different working solo, I’m not only Stomal Therapy Nurse, I’m admin, bookings, account payables, marketing and debt collector. I work at both Stoma Associations weekly, twice weekly at the Colorectal Surgery, run regional clinics with Coloplast Victor Harbor and Naracoorte, run a hernia measuring clinic with Omnigon, Nursing home reviews, home visits where ever I am needed and education sessions.

I get asked a lot ‘Why Stomal Therapy?’ The answer is easy looking after stoma patients is so rewarding have a stoma gives a life or saves a life and for me helping that patient on their journey is just want I love to do. I truely love my job.

Amanda 💕

Omnigon night at the National Wine Centre, thanks for a great night. Always a fabulous catch up with local Stomal Therapy Nurses.

“If the shoe fits”

Just like a shoe a stoma bag has to fit perfectly this will avoid leakage, skin irritation, smells and quality of life issues. If people experience any problems they must see a Stomal Therapy Nurse to discuss other options. This is the most rewarding part of my job when a patient comes for a review and I change them to a better bag and no more leakage, skin issues, smells and quality of life increase.

Very honoured to be asked to host the inaugural Coloplast Masterclass. Tonight was all about product selection. The hardest part of my job selecting the perfect bag for my patients. A wonderful night with lots of interaction and robust discussion. Thanks Rachel, James and .au team for the opportunity.

Thanks Rachel and Coloplast for the invitation to present tonight on ‘taking the complexity out of convexity’.
A fabulous night sharing case studies and discussing the daily challenges Stomal Therapy Nurses experience choosing the right products for our patients.

Gas:

Gas build up in the bag is mostly related to diet but it is also a result of swallowing air.
To help reduce this avoid:
- Drinking with a straw
- Chewing gum
- Snoring at night
- Eating fast, gulping or eating too much food at one time
- Skipping meals

Output Tip:

To help thicken output have 2x white marshmallows before or after every meal. This is because the Gelatine in the marshmallows helps firm output. Remember only have the white ones not other colours as they have been dyed with food colouring which contains sugar which is a laxative. More tips to come.

Looking forward to another fabulous year with all the team at the Colorectal Surgery.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and safe festive season and thank you for all your continued support.

Amanda x

Check out that platter!!! Christmas is for enjoying and indulging. Having a stoma does not mean you have to limit your eating or enjoyment of all the Christmas festive foods. Just be mindful to eat in moderation as some foods will cause output issues.

Basic rule to remember:
- Diarrhoea - keep up with fluid and eat more starch/carbs. If continues use gastrostop capsules.
- Constipation - drink plenty of water, pear juice and eat more fibre (fruit/vegetables). If continues use Movicol until resolves.

For more diet tips please download our PDF from our website http://www.stomacareservices.com.au/resources.html

Living with a stoma can I drink alcohol - YES

A frequently asked question this time of year.

Living with a stoma is it normal….
To have re**um urge - YES

Living with a stoma is it normal….
The Stoma bleeds - YES