I had traded Rectal Cancer for a Resection and Permanent Colostomy, and 4 months later I was back playing hockey. I was naturally concerned about herniating, and about stoma-damage by rubbing or impacts.
Hockey is a rough game. The best hockey players are big, strong, fast, aggressive, and mean. I only have the ‘fast’, and some players are double my weight. I have always worn the best protective equipment to avoid injuries. And that was before I had a colostomy and stoma.
I first tried playing with just an unprotected pouch. As my stoma was on-line with my hockey pants belt, the rubbing was an obvious problem. I was feeling unsupported and insecure about herniating, and certainly nervous about impacts. So I quit this experiment after 1 game.
I then tried playing with the Convatec Stoma Cap Cover and a Nu-Hope Ostomy Girdle. I used this setup for most of 2 years, and it gave me moderate impact protection, and good hernia support. But the girdle cost some flexibility of movement, and there was slippage of both the Stoma Cap Cover and the girdle, which stressed my flange adhesive.
I wanted superior impact protection, similar hernia support, with better flexibility. I talked with Bob Zurowski from Stomaplex and got the answer.
Freedom-Guard's outer shield is strong enough to take hockey impacts, but can be bent to fit the abdominal contour. The belt is comfortable on my skin, and gives good hernia protection without restricting flexibility or mobility. The U-shaped padding holds the appliance in place, while protecting the stoma. I wanted extreme protection for hockey, so Bob built the neoprene padding out to 5/8 inch. I was pleasantly surprised that the Freedom-Guard stays in place, with no shifting or sliding, even with the hockey-belt right on the Freedom-Guard, and the hockey pants moving as I stretch, bend, and rotate.
Freedom-Guard's outer shield is strong enough to take hockey impacts, but can be bent to fit the abdominal contour. The belt is comfortable on my skin, and gives good hernia protection without restricting flexibility or mobility. The U-shaped padding holds the appliance in place, while protecting the stoma. I wanted extreme protection for hockey, so Bob built the neoprene padding out to 5/8 inch. I was pleasantly surprised that the Freedom-Guard stays in place, with no shifting or sliding, even with the hockey-belt right on the Freedom-Guard, and the hockey pants moving as I stretch, bend, and rotate.
With the Freedom-Guard, I feel confident the appliance will stay secure.
I feel supported for hernia protection, and I know I am safe from impacts.
Now the real game-day testimonials. It has been mentioned that I play bigger than my size (‘he’s only 150 pounds, but plays like he’s 190). I think that is intended to be complimentary, but that style is hard on my body. In 55 years of hockey I made a quick count of 3 concussions requiring hospitalization, 12 broken bones, 3 shoulder separations, and 1 torn knee. A colostomy hasn’t changed that style. I have taken hits, crashed into the boards, fallen on the ice, blocked shots, and been speared with sticks.
Sometimes I hurt. But my stoma has never been hurt.
It is a real testament to StomaPlex that I can continue to play that style with warranted confidence.
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I receive NO financial benefit for sharing this experience and product review
And where do you get this piece of equipment?
ReplyDeleteI am a goalie, and we play non-check.
This came from Stomaplex. Its pricey but like most hockey gear, you get what you pay for. For me, I will pay to get the best. Goalie is interesting. I have heard some chatter of putting together an ostomates hockey team that could go on the road as a fundraiser. Challenge of course would be to find a corporate sponsor to cover the travel costs. There have been 6 ostomate-hockey-players talking about this.
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