A Mexican jungle and scuba adventure with a stoma

Back in June 2022 I underwent my first ever surgery, and it was a big one at that, a subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy to help improve my quality of life from my Crohn’s Disease. Needless to say it took some time to fully adjust to my new way of life. The almost instant relief from my IBD symptoms was fantastic and I was fortunate to adjust to day to day stoma life quite quickly developing a healthy body image. However there were things that took me a little longer to adjust to such as eating a healthy and stoma friendly diet and feeling confident enough to travel away from my home for longer periods of time.

So when the time approached to decide whether I was actually going to go on the school trip I had planned nearly a year before my surgery took place, I was nervous to say the least. The trip a two week scientific research adventure to the Mexican jungle where I would be sleeping in a tent, have no choice over what I ate and be learning to scuba dive on a Mexican coral reef was bound to be the trip of a lifetime for a former ecologist and now biology teacher.

So I decided to go for it, to test myself and to show myself that I was capable of doing anything and that my stoma and health would not hold me back from amazing experiences. My next action point was to speak to the tour operator and airline to ensure that my supplies would be able to come with me. I collected a sunflower lanyard and carefully split my stoma supplies and medicines across two bags one for the hold and one for the cabin. These both had enough supplies in to see me through the trip. With medical letters, a Coloplast travel certificate and confidence that I had everything I needed in the correct format I sailed through the airport security and the flight was no problem at all. My bag didn’t balloon and the emptying, whilst confined, was not an issue.

Once I got to camp I made sure I spoke with the site manager and medical personnel so that they were fully aware of my circumstances and we drew up a plan on how much electrolyte/rehydration solution to use each day. This was a lot, like 2-2.5 litres of the stuff plus about another 2-3 litres of water. The heat and humidity in particular were tough I won’t lie, the effects of constant sweating was particularly hard. But, I made it with only a couple of bouts of early onset dehydration which were easily fixed with my St Marks Solution. I had the best time in the jungle geeking out at all the science and ecological surveys. I saw numerous troops of monkeys, collared peccary, agouti, coati and numerous birds including, the high on my wish list, toucan and its evil cousin.

Then came the scuba and beach week which brought its own set of challenges. It was now much harder to stay hydrated with more time in the water away from drinks and the removal of the tree canopy brought additional heat to contend with. I had one day of feeling bad so I just took it easy for the next couple and allowed myself the time I needed to recover, there was no shame or waste in that! Whilst scuba diving might not have been for me and I decided to stop rather than push on for my PADI license this decision had absolutely nothing to do with my stoma. As it turns out scuba diving has zero affect on a stoma or the stoma bag and with the use of Coloplast Brava Elastic Tape my Sensura Mio Convex bags stayed tightly put too! I saw a turtle which surfaced about 50cm from me, a puffer fish and a barracuda to name only a few of the amazing sights.

During this time at the beach I confidently strutted my way along the water’s edge topless with my bag out and not a single person even noticed, no one said anything, no one made me feel awkward. The hardest aspect was probably the diet which consisted almost everyday of beans and rice, not the ideal diet for an ostomate. But despite this I only had one day of feeling a bit uncomfortable, I didn’t suffer any blockages or even much significant change to my output. So all in all my fears were quelled and I had the most amazing time. I am so proud of pushing myself to do something that brought so many concerns and which I could easily have backed away from.

I have gained an improved sense of confidence in my ability to do whatever I want and knowledge that having a stoma will not stop me from doing what I want in my life. So if you are considering a holiday or grand adventure then go for it! Just remember to plan, take precautions and don’t be afraid or disappointed if things deviate from the original plan. Get yourself out in the big wide world because chances are having a stoma has opened it up for you after a long time of confinement and isolation.
Adios amigos,
Ben

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A Mexican jungle and scuba adventure with a stoma

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