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Ostomy Support NZ, Wooston, Christchurch (2026)

03/02/2021

I realise it has been an absolute age since I posted on here, but I shall endeavor to do better this year.

Starting now.
For those in New Zealand (and Australia?) while shopping at Kmart in the baby section I found this organiser. I'm guessing it's usually intended for the nappy changing area, but I've found that the use of it for ostomy supplies is brilliant. Was $15, and has the ability to collapse flat while also being sturdy when in use.

In this pic are:
*Latex free gloves (not that I use them for a bag change) (USL Medical code: 19995K)
* Nappy bags for discarding waste at change time (Friends brand)
* ConvaTec Niltac adhesive remover spray 50ml (one new, one on the go) (re. TR 101)
* Sromahesive powder 1oz (rarely used)(ref. 025510)
* Dettol hand sanitiser 50ml
* 3M Cavilon barrier film wipes (ref. 3344E)
* x4 B|Braun Urostomy bags - convex (Flexima UroSilk 44919)
* x4 Salts Colostomy bags - convex (Confidence, order ref. XNDL1352)
* x1 Unomedical night drainage bag (code: 373130C)
* Coloplast branded t-shirt clip for changes
* Cloth washable rag wipes for drying
* EarthSmart water wipes for cleaning
* Cut-down Huggies change mats for protection of clothing at change times
* pack of Urostomy to night bag connectors
* Welland adhesive remover wipes (leftovers just in case)
* small curved pair of ostomy scissors
* Pen for marking bag cutouts
* Sheet of filter stickers
* x2 Stoma measuring guides

All of the above fits easily in the new caddy, and is funded by the local Ostomy Nurse office here in New Zealand, for which I am immensely grateful. We don't know how lucky we have it.

I have tried to include all the information on what I use as I can, but if you need or want to know how I find things, then do get in touch, either publicly or privately. I'm happy to help.

I will in the next while be adding a new video of my doing a full double ostomy change, as there will be a few of you out there this may apply to.

I'm open to any requests.

Picture information for those with visual impairements:
Pictured is a slate grey caddy usually used for Nappy changing, but has been repurposed into a supply carrier for ostomy needs. It is sitting on a carpet background.

13/07/2019

Great to see some diversity here. For me, being a wheelchair user, and an ostomate, this is a double whammy. Good on them. May more follow.
What's your opinion?

27/01/2019

While everyone is different, we all as ostomy users need to carry gear for those "just in case" moments.
The photos here are as described, both what I use at home and when out and about.

Now you've seen what I use, how about you? Are you a 'carry it all' type or a 'minimalist - she'll be right' kind of person? I like to think I fall in the middle lol.

24/01/2019

Well, I DID have a video made and uploaded for you to see how I do my colostomy bag change, it got flagged as "nudity, female ni***es". Seriously. So I have requested a review since I don't feel that a stoma should be anything to hide and the value of showing the video to our people I feel would be very useful.
I'll keep you posted!

So instead I will show you the pics I took to go with the video, with how I lay things out and what I use.

Nurse Maude Supplied Gear:
*Salts Confidence Natural soft Convex Ref: XNDL1352
*3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film Ref: 3344E
*ConvaTec Niltac Adhesive Remover Sting Free 50ml Ref: TR101
*ConvaTec Stomahesive Protective Powder 28.3g Ref: 025510
*ConvaTec curved scissors

Things I pay for:
*Friends Baby Nappy Bags 50's (approx.$2.50)
*Silk Water Baby Wipes 60's (approx. $3.80)
*Huggies Change Mats 4pk (cut into 4's) (approx. $3.50)
*Cut squares of cloth nappy fabric for drying skin

24/01/2019

A quick change of my loop colostomy, I am a wheelchair user so I show how I get around that too. With a rather flat stoma, I have to use convexity. ***WARNING*** You will see some p**p, but I do wipe it away quickly. A fact of life with a colostomy.

17/01/2019

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted. Partly due to more surgery - a bit on that in a minute - and partly due to chronic pain health issues. And just life, you know how it is!

So my birthday was the 12thMay 2018, Mothers Day was the next day. I was planning to meet at my sister's Diner for birthday/Mothers Day celebrations.
But it was not to be. I received a call from the nurse of the Surgery Ward at the hospital (whom I had been waiting MONTHS to hear from about the colostomy surgery I desperately needed) asking what time I would be at the Ward that day for prep for my surgery the next morning.
Well! I was hysterical. I knew it needed a few day's prep for bowel clearance (at this point I was at bowel obstruction level) She called around and called back and said I could still go to my birthday celebration at 4pm, but must only have a sprite drink, no food, then be at the Ward by 6pm.

So, I packed like a demon, went to the Diner, and broke the news to my family. Ultimately we were just happy that the surgery I so desperately needed was on its way.

Long story short I had the surgery, it went mostly well, which I will go into in more detail in my next post, and I am now a proud Double-Bagger.
I am a much healthier, happier me, and can honestly say the last eight months have flown by.

In my next post, I will go into more detail, show pics, and give a few pointers on things I wish I had known or had on hand when going into it. Also will post on what my bag change(s) look like now.
I hope this post finds you all well, and can say that while New Year's resolutions aren't my thing, one of mine would be to take better care of this page, and in turn better care of any and all of you looking for support.
If you can't find what you need here, there is another great page hosted by the USA called Ostomyland. They're awesome, and very helpful and friendly. I am a member, and anything I can't manage I ask friends on there.

All the best, apologies for the LOOOOONG post.
Any questions or help you may need can be sent in the comments or feel free to PM me. xo

27/01/2017

~~~ What's Your Story? ~~~

Everyone has a story about how they came to be an Ostomate, so what's yours?

For me personally, I have a disability in the same family as Spina Bifida, which left me with no bladder control all my life. At 13yrs old I had surgery to enlarge my bladder and to put a sling around the urethra to stop leakage. This was mostly successful.
After years of intermittent catheterising and UTI's it was decided to move to an indwelling catheter. When it became apparent I wasn't going back to intermittent, an SPC was placed, as well as the sling redone as leaking was once again an issue.
A few years go by with many issues like blockages (up to 15 times a day) leaking and having to wear Huggies because of it (I know, real mature right?) I went back to my specialist in desperation and said I was ready for a urostomy, which he had offered years before. I hadn't been ready. But I certainly was now.

So in Sept/Oct of last year I went in and spent 7days in the Urology ward of Christchurch Public Hospital where I had my surgery and recovery and learned to look after my new stoma.

Fast forward a couple of months and I'm so very glad I had the surgery. I'm infection free, discomfort free, and dry. No more wet wake up calls. No more blockages. And yes, no more Huggies lol.
I've been lucky. I've had no complications thus far, and no blow outs or leaks.

The best advice I can give is to do your research, watch bag changes on YouTube, just to educate yourself and see if it's something you think you can handle.
Have a good relationship with your specialist. It makes a difference.
And most of all, ask as many questions as you need to.

So that's my story. We'd love to hear your story. If you're feeling in the sharing mood then go ahead and share down below.

All the best for your 2017 my fellow Ostomates.

21/11/2016

~~~TO COVER, OR NOT TO COVER~~~

Do you use pouch covers?
Do you prefer clear or opaque bags?

As an early ostomate you need the benefits of a clear bag but as you progress this need lessens.

Then you go online and start seeing the myriad choices of pouch covers out there.

For me growing up in seamstress household, I had the instant urge to make my own cover. (Plus I'm a cheapskate and didn't want to pay USD for a bag or two)

I hummed and ha'd over whether I'd actually use such a thing, or if it would be just another accessory in the drawer.

I saw the options for fabrics, and was hooked. A bit of sewing later and these photos are my end product.

I made some open ended, and some closed. I prefer the closed, as I fold the outlet of my bag under while in the cover it makes for a shorter profile. (I also have a high stoma - about belly button height)

So now for the fun part. I'm giving away a cover to two Urostomates out there. Once I get my hands on an Iliostomy or Colostomy bag to take a pattern off I'll make some for those too.
Message me if you're keen on the giveaway and which colour you'd like and if open or closed and I'll get it to you.

All the best everyone, Erin

21/11/2016

~~~~~~~WHAT I USE~~~~~~~~~

What we use in our day to day ostomy care can be a personal and individual thing.

As for me, I can confess that I've only had my stoma for nigh on 7 weeks so that hardly makes me an expert. I'm the first to admit that.
But if any of this is useful to someone then I've done something right.
Note: due to my stoma and the way it sits, I have to use convex bags.

My Current Setup:
* B|Braun Flexima Urosilk Ref.44919
* B|Braun StomaCare Belt Ref.5028P
* Welland Medical Adhesive Remover - No Sting Ref.WAD 050
* 3M Cavilon No sting Barrier Film Ref.3344
And occasionally, if I have unhealed or weepy skin...
* ConvaTec Stomahesive Protective Powder Ref.025510

-The bags and belt are supplied by Omnigon Pty.
These bags are supposed to be for trial at this stage but I think I may stick with them.
Reviews are to come on each of these items, as well as for the bag I used for the first six weeks which I still like.

Any questions please fire ahead, wishing you all the best,
Erin

18/11/2016

Hi Everyone,
I'm in the throws of setting up this page so please be patient with me.
If there is anything you want to see on here then please don't hesitate to get in touch. This is your page.
Over the next 24hours there will be a bunch of things going up on the page. A couple of bag reviews and a piece about bag covers. I'm thinking of reviewing an adhesive wipe from Welland and a barrier wipe from 3M.

We're also looking for anyone with an iliostomy or colostomy who would be willing to do a few reviews on any bags or accessories they have tried and how they found them. I'd do it, but alas I have a urostomy.

Anywho, watch this space, and get in touch if the mood strikes you.
All the best, Erin

PS. Our hearts and thoughts are with those in the aftermath of the earthquakes of Monday morning. If we can help in any way please get in touch.

Ostomy Support NZ

03/02/2021

13/07/2019

27/01/2019

24/01/2019

24/01/2019

17/01/2019

27/01/2017

21/11/2016

21/11/2016

18/11/2016

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