Group looking to expand: Do you qualify to become an ostomate?

What do a retired farmer, a renowned artist, a graphic designer and a former crematorium manager all have in common when they gather together each month in Albury?

No, not a penchant for cattle, creativity or the afterlife. The answer is they are all living with a stoma.

The eclectic group are part of a small but growing number of men and women who gather regularly to support and help those who have a temporary or permanent stoma – just like themselves.

Alex Watson, who has lived with a stoma for 13 years, along with his wife Marita and good friend Liz Landy, hope to encourage more people to join their group, aptly called ‘ostomates’, and will be holding an open invitation riverside walk and talk in Albury this spring.

“We believe there might be around 500 to 600 people who have a stoma living in the catchment area of Albury-Wodonga Health and we’d like to reach more of them,” said Alex.

“Our group was established as a means to bring stoma patients and their carers together. A place where any topic could be discussed in a casual setting allowing them to share their stories without embarrassment, as they all share a similar difficulty.

“We want to grow our numbers and meet others. We can help each other in a lot of ways from talking about latest innovations, to helping with dealing with the changes in their life to just sharing stories, knowledge and personal experience.”

Coming off the back of Stomal Therapy Awareness Week, which was held from 24 – 30 June, Alex says there is a need for an informal support group so that people can meet in a non-threatening and non-clinical environment.

So, what is a stoma exactly?

For the unindoctrinated, a stoma is an opening that a surgeon creates on a person’s abdomen to allow them to pass bodily waste. The surgical procedure, called an ostomy, results in a section of the bowel being brought to the surface and opened and formed into a stoma where a collection pouch can be fitted.

Alex is a cancer survivor and will live with a stoma for the rest of his life. But, he said, everyone’s story is different.

“There are all sorts of reasons that people have a stoma,” said Alex.

In his own case, Alex’s stoma came about fairly suddenly.

“I had a prostate exam early in 2011 following a long and arduous harvest season and was feeling exhausted and stressed. I received the all clear.

“Fast forward to July when I noticed blood in a bowel motion and constant diarrhea – I visited a doctor and was quickly diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Four months of chemo and radiation followed by surgery culminated in a permanent stoma.

“I was fortunate that all the chemotherapy, all the radiation and the surgery was all done in Albury/Wodonga by local professionals. This was of huge benefit physically and emotionally as I was still in contact with family and friends rather than being treated in a major city.”

He said people of all ages might require a stoma, from newborn babies to the very elderly.

“Survivors of bowel cancer like me may have a stoma, but so might someone with a disease such as diverticulitis, Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.

“Someone may have suffered an injury that impacts the digestive system and there are even some neurological disorders where toileting is complicated and a stoma is required.

“Everyone’s story is different, but one thing is for sure, we’ve come a long way since the days of Weary Dunlop who was performing ostomys in prisoner of war camps with primitive instruments and less than sanitary conditions.

“There’s a lot of changing innovation and there may be people out there who can improve their quality of life by finding out about new devices, creams, ointments, skin care products and adhesives and support clothing to make a person more comfortable.

“We often have special guest speakers, reps from supply companies and specialists in the industry.”

The ostomates club meet at 10 am every second Tuesday of the month in The Studio Lounge at the SS&A Club in Olive Street, Albury.

In addition to the riverside walk and talk, the group are looking at holding other meetings that get them outdoors or involved in other activities.

For more information contact Alex Watson on 0428 578 385 or Liz Landy on 0418 854 574.