Just this min. finished writing this on another post, so will copy and add to it for your dad . . . great timing!
YES, there IS life after a colostomy! No need to forgo a great swim on vacation unless you dislike water and that is your only excuse.
I swim laps, walk, used to sail but can't tolerate heat now.(and last
weekend was 107 here!) but do pretty much anything I want given lack of
energy now from CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I do reinforce the pouch
with picture-framing (using tape to make a box around the flange of the
pouch where it meets the skin) when swimming or hot tubbing (tepid tub in summer), and that
helps keep things tight.
Use waterproof tape on clean dry skin. I use 2", and overlap all edges, bending back about 1/4" on itself to make what i call a 'courtesy tab' at the end to facilitate removal later. Skin MUST BE clean and dry to adhere well. I've been known to stay in the hot tub set at 102 for 2 hours, with a glass of wine and a friend, but I don't like stroke range of 104-106 like some do. 10-15 min. is max for that, I don't do it.
I've also ridden bikes, chased the dog, jogged,
etc. etc. No problem as long as the seal is tight. Everyone has
a funny story of what happens when you don't check this, we've all
neglected to double-check in the first months and got a surprise, so do
what I say, not what I did! ;-)
I dislike the velcro roll fasteners on some pouches and always back them up with a hard curved clip provided by suppliers. The peace of mind is well worth it. I've had gas pop open the velcro before, (!!) so vent regularly if that's a problem and never allow the pouch to get more than 1/3-1/2 full.
Save those clips, they are $3-5 if purchased separately. A rip-off.
Modern pouches are a far cry
from years ago, quiet, odorless, mostly comfortable, invisible under clothing.
I travel occasionally and the main issue is finding clean restrooms. I carry
supplies but use cheaper disposables when on the road, much easier than
cleaning and re-using. I wear double cotton or micro fiber underwear, one under, one over, to
keep the plastic from my skin, esp. in hot weather.
Your Dad might want to contain his pouch under swim trunks with a pr. of easy-dry micro undies for comfort so it's not flapping about. Today's baggier longer swim shorts are IDEAL for him. Speedos are prob. not a good idea, but at his age, that prob. could go unsaid. Sorry.
Water for
cleaning the pouch must be potable, the same safe level as you're
drinking. Yes, it's a pain dealing with it, but it beat the alternative
in my case, anyway. I was given 6 wks. if I did nothing.
He might want to avoid gas-producing foods on swim days, and maybe the night before, and don't go too long without eating, as that, too, produces gas! (was news to me) I don't
overdo on salads or fiber, but enough to keep things regular. Drinking water is
MOST important, that and not lifting too much. One can get a hernia
from slinging furniture around (as in the olden days, ask me how I
know!) but common sense is good to have in this case. I just always
push and try to do too much in the mistaken belief that I can get my
former energy back.
I've gone on to have two other kinds of
cancer, skin and breast, but the colostomy is mine to keep forever and
so far I'm doing well with it at age 63, so there is hope for your Dad.
Enjoy your vacation!
Barb