Andy's Experience with UltraFrame Flange Extenders
When I had my stoma formed more than twenty years ago, I set my mind on doing everything I’d always done just with a stoma. I went into surgery with a positive mindset, that I would be able to do everything I wanted!
But just because I’m a positive person, it doesn’t mean I’m invincible and over the last 20 years, I’ve certainly run into some challenges with my stoma. I think I t’s so important to speak about the troubles we face, so we can feel comfortable overcoming them and if we can help even just one person along the way, it’s a win.
I’ve recently made a change that has improved my life considerably. I started using UltraFrame ®.
It’s made such a difference to my life, so much so that I want to shout about it from the rooftops!
Going on holiday with a stoma
I’ve always loved a sunny holiday, I work hard and when I have time off, I want to enjoy the warm weather. My partner John and I enjoy going on cruises, sailing with confidence knowing we have all the facilities we need, while enjoying the open water. For many years I couldn’t make the most of my holidays. My love of swimming was tainted by the constant battle of my pouch coming loose whenever I got into the water. I would wait until everyone had left the pool in the evening, just to have a quick dip before running back to my room to change my pouch. I spent all my time worrying about having an accident. John soon stopped going swimming as well out of solidarity, but this meant that our holidays weren’t always the enjoyable experience we wanted.
Battling with leaks
Over the years, I started to accept that regular leaking and disrupted sleep was just my ‘normal’. The 3am leak has been a regular occurrence and has led to many team efforts between John and I to change all the bedding in the middle of the night.
As horrible and exhausting as it is, it’s one thing leaking in front of your loving partner and quite another when it happens in public.
I work in sales, and I often have to travel across the country to see clients. One day I was sitting in a client's office when I realised, I was leaking. I had no choice but to excuse myself, rush back to my car and dash to the nearest Mcdonalds to clean myself up as best I could in a toilet cubicle.
It was at this point that I decided that something had to change and I started hunting for a product that would banish leaks from my life.
That’s when I found UltraFrame.
A new lease of life
At the time, I was rather sceptical, I wondered how such a thin flange extender could possibly work. From the first day, it was obvious that I had no reason to worry. The extenders were easy to apply, and I felt more secure straight away.
It felt too good to be true, so I decided to take this newfound security and put it to the ultimate test, swimming.
I went to my local swimming pool, admittedly, I was nervous and waited until the pool was empty.
I swam one length and to my surprise... my pouch was still on! I swam another, still no movement. I swam another and another, my confidence growing with every stroke.
I jumped out the pool and couldn’t contain my excitement! My pouch hadn’t moved, and I could tell that this was it, my new lease of life.
Living without worry
I now swim multiple times a week, I regularly do thirty lengths which is extraordinary. I’m really proud that in my sixties, I’ve become so active and I’m much healthier and happier for it.
John and I can go on holidays with the freedom to go from the sun lounger to the pool as I choose, before heading back to the room for a soak in the bath! What a luxury!
I’ve said goodbye to the constant worry and fear of leaks and the freedom is indescribable.
Recommending stoma products and accessories can be tough, it’s such a personal preference. But for me, recommending UltraFrame is a no-brainer. I would feel bad if I didn’t tell the world about it!
My only regret is not finding it sooner.
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