DISCUSSION FORUMS BLADDER CANCER WALK
  • English
  • Français
Bladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer Canada
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Mission/Vision
    • Board Of Directors
    • Medical Advisory
      and Research Board
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Financial Statements
    • Contact Us
  • FACING
    BLADDER CANCER
    • Newly Diagnosed?
    • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
    • Dealing With Emotions
    • Get Support
    • Join a Discussion Forum
    • Videos
    • Webinar Recordings
    • Patient Resources
  • HELPFUL
    INFORMATION
    • Bladder Cancer Facts
    • See Red?
    • Symptoms
    • Bladder Cancer Basics
      • How The Body Works
      • Types of Bladder Cancer
      • Causes
      • Diagnosis
      • Staging and Grading
    • How will my cancer be treated?
      • Nonmuscle Invasive
      • Muscle Invasive
      • Bladder Preservation
      • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
    • Bladder Removal
      • Diversion Types
      • Common Issues
      • Chemotherapy
      • After Your Surgery
      • At Home
    • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
    • Palliative Care
    • Doctor Resources
    • Glossary
    • Links
  • STORIES,
    NEWS & EVENTS
    • Latest News & Stories
    • Upcoming Meetings And Events
    • Newsletter Archive
  • RESEARCH and
    CLINICAL TRIALS
    • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
    • Clinical Trials
    • BCC Funded Research
    • BCC Research Grant
  • GET
    INVOLVED
    • BC Awareness Month & 10-yr Anniversary
    • Volunteer
    • Join An Awareness Walk
    • Host A Fundraiser
    • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
  • DONATE NOW
    • General Donations
    • Honour & Memorial Donations
    • Join an Awareness Walk
    • Planned Giving
    • Employer Matching Gifts
    • Donate a Vehicle
    • Where Your Donations Go

Helpful Information SYMPTOMS

AT HOME WITH YOUR ILEAL CONDUIT (OSTOMY)

The first week after your surgery your stoma may be tender and may be dark or bruised, swollen or blister-like or have spongy or yellow tissue around it.

This tissue will peel off in a few days and start to look more normal. You’ll also notice stitches attaching it to your skin. These will be absorbed on their own and the swelling should go down in three or four weeks.

A normal healthy stoma looks soft, moist, red or pink and shiny. The skin around your stoma should look like the rest of the skin on your abdomen. It should be free of rashes, redness, scratches and bruising. If the stoma becomes irritated, get in touch with your stoma nurse, as there are products to help.

Your nurses in the hospital or home care will teach you how to empty, clean and change your new urine collection pouch and how to set up a night collection system.

Once your stoma size has stabilized, you’ll determine the correct size for your urostomy bag, using the stoma measuring devices supplied by the ET nurse and the ostomy supply companies in their sample kits.

If your stoma is round, experienced patients recommend using an external bag with an opening pre-cut to size. This avoids trying to precision cut a round hole – not easy and certainly not fun! Many of us find that a one-piece appliance (another name for the urostomy bag, also called a pouch) is easier to handle than a two-piece unit with a flange and then adding the bag, which is much bulkier. But try them both.

Another tip – for men, suspenders are a lot easier on the appliance and the area around the stoma than a belt.

Again, this is something that you will try and work with and find what combination best works for you.

Supplies are available at home healthcare or other medical supply stores. Experiment with different ostomy products and contact the providers as they have patient support personnel who can help. Major suppliers include Hollister (www.hollister.com/canada/ostomy/) and Coloplast (www.coloplast.ca/Ostomy/). Both companies offer free samples of their products.

AT HOME WITH YOUR NEOBLADDER

Neobladder patients are typically sent home with two tubes – a catheter in the urethra and a “suprapubic” catheter in the abdomen, both helping drain the new neobladder. Your nurses in the hospital or home care will teach you how to “flush” the tubes to clear mucus.

This flush needs to be done at regular intervals, as recommended by your medical team, usually about every four hours day and night. It doesn’t hurt to flush more frequently. You should seek immediate medical attention if you are unable to flush the mucus and urine through the tubes – there may be a blockage.

Since you will be sleeping with urine collection bags attached to tubes, experiment until you find a comfortable sleeping position. You may need something to sleep in other than pyjamas, because of the restrictions of the tubes.

After the tubes are removed in a few weeks, it’s normal to have incontinence and you may need to wear disposable underwear or pads. Daytime continence usually returns, but night time incontinence can be a lifetime issue. Lots of patience is essential. Washable bed protectors (available at home healthcare or medical supply stores) and incontinence pants are often necessary.

AT HOME WITH YOUR INDIANA POUCH

The first week after your surgery your stoma may look dark or bruised, look swollen or blister-like or have spongy or yellow tissue around it. This tissue will peel off in a few days and start to look more normal.

A normal healthy stoma looks soft, moist, red or pink and shiny and should be flush with the skin. The skin around your stoma should look like the rest of the skin on your abdomen. It should be free of rashes, redness, scratches and bruising.

Typically, patients are sent home with a “suprapubic” catheter in the abdomen and possibly a small tube in the new stoma, both helping drain the pouch of urine and mucus for several weeks.

Your nurses in the hospital or homecare will also teach you how to take care of your stoma and catheterize your new Indiana Pouch, once the tubes are taken out. Usually, you will begin by catheterizing every two hours for the first week or so, gradually increasing the time between catheterizations as the pouch begins to stretch. Catheters are available at home healthcare or other medical supply stores.

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER

    *Indicates required fields
    I agree to receive Bladder Cancer Canada's n e-newsletter containing news and updates. You can withdraw your subscription at any time.
    captcha

    GET IN TOUCH

    Address

    4936 Yonge Street
    Suite 1000
    Toronto, ON M2N 6S3

    Charitable Reg No.

    83612 6060 RR0001

    Phone
    1-866-674-8889
    Email & Media Contact

    info@bladdercancercanada.org

    SEND US A MESSAGE
    • Privacy Policy
    • Discussion Forum
    • Contact Us
    • Donate Now
    • ABOUT US
      • Our Mission/Vision
      • Board Of Directors
      • Medical Advisory
        and Research Board
      • Sponsors & Partners
      • Financial Statements
      • Contact Us
    • FACING
      BLADDER CANCER
      • Newly Diagnosed?
      • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
      • Dealing With Emotions
      • Get Support
      • Join a Discussion Forum
      • Videos
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Patient Resources
    • HELPFUL
      INFORMATION
      • Bladder Cancer Facts
      • See Red?
      • Symptoms
      • Bladder Cancer Basics
        • How The Body Works
        • Types of Bladder Cancer
        • Causes
        • Diagnosis
        • Staging and Grading
      • How will my cancer be treated?
        • Nonmuscle Invasive
        • Muscle Invasive
        • Bladder Preservation
        • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
      • Bladder Removal
        • Diversion Types
        • Common Issues
        • Chemotherapy
        • After Your Surgery
        • At Home
      • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
      • Palliative Care
      • Doctor Resources
      • Glossary
      • Links
    • STORIES,
      NEWS & EVENTS
      • Latest News & Stories
      • Upcoming Meetings And Events
      • Newsletter Archive
    • RESEARCH and
      CLINICAL TRIALS
      • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
      • Clinical Trials
      • BCC Funded Research
      • BCC Research Grant
    • GET
      INVOLVED
      • BC Awareness Month & 10-yr Anniversary
      • Volunteer
      • Join An Awareness Walk
      • Host A Fundraiser
      • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
    • DONATE NOW
      • General Donations
      • Honour & Memorial Donations
      • Join an Awareness Walk
      • Planned Giving
      • Employer Matching Gifts
      • Donate a Vehicle
      • Where Your Donations Go
    Bladder Cancer Canada