Local cancer patient debunks myths about colostomy bags

ALTHOUGH public awareness surrounding colostomy bags has improved, many myths remain prevalent about what it means to live with a colostomy bag. Due to this, ostomates – people with a stoma – find it difficult speak out about their condition and are often faced with ignorance as a result of these misconceptions.

Morningside resident Joshua Reynolds is an ostomate who has garnered mass support and attention after openly sharing the stages of his treatment on social media. “After my third cancer diagnosis I was in a very dark place and I felt defeated. Then right at the start of Covid-19, a few friends of mine started a page for me on Instagram. They called it Joshie Strong.”

The page is facilitated by Durban North resident Michelle Reynolds together with friends of Josh and his family, Tanyth Withers and Max Pichulik.

ALSO READ: Awareness of cancer

The social media page has garnered over 700 followers and continues to grow. “It gave me a good sense of worth because I was getting so much support – it helped my family through really hard times,” said Josh.

The Joshie Strong team features a series of monthly draws to rally support and raise funds for Josh and his family on the Instagram page. According to the local resident, for every R500 donated, you receive one ticket into a monthly lucky draw.

Josh is currently fighting colorectal cancer for the third time, “After I beat it when I was 40 years old it came back. I was then re-diagnosed at 43 years old and I overcame it. Then I was informed in March of last year that I’m up for round 3.”

Throughout has latest bout with stage 4 cancer he frequently uses a colostomy bag. Josh attends the Stomal Therapy and Wound Care Services clinic and said that it was there, when he spoke to a young cancer patient that he realised how important colostomy bag education and accessibility is. “One day when I was waiting to be seen to at the clinic, I struck up a conversation with a young girl. She was there with her mother and after a while she began pouring her heart out to me about how she’s struggling to adjust to using a stoma bag.”

“It took me back to my own time, when I started using a stoma. I went through my own trials and tribulations as anyone who uses a colostomy bag does,” said the ostomate.

Josh said the conversation made him think about people who may not be able to afford the required amount of colostomy bags, “Not only do you have to adjust uncomfortable issues that come along with using a stoma bag, there is also the cost involved.” He said that he requires 10 bags or more every month, at an estimated price of R170 for each colostomy set-up.

When his health improves Josh hope to start a NPO that provides colostomy bags to underprivileged cancer patients who don’t have medical aid or the financial resources to regularly change their colostomy bags.

ALSO READ: Take a free cancer screening with PinkDrive

The father of two said his family is what keeps him going, he shares a six year old son and a four year old daughter with his wife Phillipa.

“My daughter rules the house, my wife is actually a bit afraid of her,” Josh said jokingly.

“I’ve always wanted to be a father, even when I was 10 years old, if there was a baby around I would gravitate towards babies. So when I became a father I was complete,” said the proud Dad.

Stoma misconceptions

Colostomy is a term used to describe a surgical procedure. During a colostomy, surgeons divert one end of the large intestine into a visible opening – known as a stoma – on the patient’s abdomen. A small pouch, or colostomy bag, is then placed over the stoma to collect waste products that would normally pass through a person’s rectum and anus in the bathroom.

Josh provided some important corrections to a few common stoma user misconceptions.

Everyone can tell you have a stoma

Not at all, I had one of my best friend come round a few times after my operation and only on about the 5th visit did he remember that I had a stoma. The only reason he asked to see it is because I told him I was just about to change the bag. He looked at me confused and said what bag?

Colostomy bags make you smell

A common misconception and the answer is no, stoma bags have a filter at the top of the bag for this very reason and the bags are so well made. If you can imagine a wet lock bag, you fold over the ends three times and then there is a Velcro seal. I have often asked my wife this question and she said she has never smelt anything.

Only old people use colostomy bags

No not at all I am 43 and I have a stoma, if you look on the net you will see lots of young kids even babies with stoma bags. Breaks my heart as these little ones could have been born with numerous conditions that means they have a stoma bag for life but remember though most stoma bags save people’s lives or improve their quality of life tenfold.

You have to change your diet with a stoma

Yes you have to change the way you eat otherwise the output (poo) will be runny and continuous i.e. you will be changing or emptying your bag more than you should. I find vegetables are the best for slowing down the output and giving you a firmer stool. Also you need to hydrate a lot, so keep drinking that water. I personally make a green juice each day. Broccoli, spinach, celery, granny smith apples, ginger, turmeric, garlic. Yummy and I then know I am getting lots of nutrients in one glass.

You can’t go swimming with a stoma

You can swim and I even go surfing.

You can’t be physically active with a stoma

Not at all, if you limit yourself from physical activity you are limiting yourself.

You can’t exercise properly with a stoma

Not, some people who have a stoma will now be able to exercise better than before. 

 Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.