1 week 2 10km OCR's

Wow...now that was a tough week! 

In the space of 7 days I ran 2 10KM OCR events. I was behind in my blog post about Nuclear Blackout so instead I thought I'd write a review of 2 very different (yet equally enjoyable) events. 

Blackout was an epic challenge with some HUGE obstackes and Trenches was a run with hills, hills and more hills. Plus ran with some of my OCR newb mates.

So im just waiting for Back 2 Trenches pics to be uploaded and I'll do my best to share with you my experiences of both.

Plus Back 2 Trenches was the first full race with my Go Pro hero3 HD camera. So after some editing I should be able to share with you some first person highlights.....

Here is some pics while u wait from both events.

    

An Ostomists Knightmare - THE BLOWOUT!!!

Time to share another exciting insight into being an ostomist.

Thursday morning on the way to work, sat in traffic I had a strange sensation a build up of pressure then a feeling of sudden release in my stoma. I initially thought it was simply some poorly digested food. (I really need to chew more! sorry crude but true) Unfortunatly I was not so lucky. My bag adhesion had failed :( Im not just talking a small leak, I mean a complete failure!

I have been trying to think how best to describe this. When you were a child did you ever finish a carton of Ribena, then inflate the carton and stamp on it? Sorry for being crude/graphic but you get the idea.

This is the first time in a long time that I have had a 'blow out'

This isnt to say that the bag was entirely to blame. Over the years I have learned that there are a number of factors that contribute to this issue. Everything from adhesion issues to poor application. I have found as a general rule issues tend to be more commonly poor application.

If the area around the stome is wet, (weeping from a previous leak) or hariy. Yes hairy!

WARNING OSTOMY VANITY: Male Ostomist have to regularily shave our bellies and around the stoma site!

Anyway, luckily for me I discovered the blow out before it became too much of an issue. I managed to turn around make it back to home for a quick bag change and still get in work unharmed and in time.

Just another event in an ostomists day ;)

Preperation for Blackout!!!

How can I articulate how I feel about my race Saturday. Well its like the night before xmas. Im genuinely that excited!!

My OCR obsession started at Nuclear races and I cant wait to start my 2014 OCR campaign!

Nuclear races have definitely upped the obstacles. A 1/4 pipe and a newly announced ring crossing!! I have to record this race. My go pro has to make the journey into the darkness!

These races have brought me so much over the last 12 months. The obvious sense of achievement,  the drive to keep pushing, keep training and proving that being an ostomist doesnt mean the end of the world.

More than that I have made some good new friends. OCR obsessives. NUKERS to the core!! Im looking forward to the race to try out the new course and obstacles but also to run shoulder to shoulder with my mud brothers ; )

Check out some of the teaser pics of Saturdays nights obstacles. Just imagine them in the dark!!!!
#LOVEMUD

Shields to maximum

I've always said this posts would be a real reflection of my life. So far I have always tried to make them all positive but realistic. Well this week was a bit of a challenge. Shields were tested defenses at maximum

Monday was my follow up Colonoscopy. Last time wasnt a great success, this time wasnt much better. My remaining colon is severly inflamed. The procedure was again very uncomfortable and this time required a sedation :(

Biopsies were taken (I think)so now its just a waiting game for the results. In addition I have been perscribed some pretty strong Steriods to aid with the healing process.

A few days in and no major side effects except some light headedness during this weeks training session. I am hoping this is a combination of a stressful week and still getting over the procedure and sedation. Guess time will tell as I'm on a fairly high dosage for a week before dropping 1 tablet a week for 6 weeks!

What remained of Monday and Tuesday were a real test. Ill be honest I think Tuesday I was still a bit drugged! The results I saw on screen were not good. It gave me far too many flashbacks of my original tests 7 years ago that ultimately started this journey.

People often remind me how strong I have been or how they wouldnt be able to cope as well as I have. Those who know me also know I'm not and I haven't. The last 7 years, hell even the last 12 months have had some serious downs. I try not to focus on them but Id be lieing if I said they didnt exist and when I started this blog I promised myself I would be honest, brutally honest if required.

So learned a new phrase which I can now totally realate to. 'SCANXIETY' -  The anxiety that occurs while waiting for your scan results. So now starts the next phase...waiting

Living with a Stoma THE CHANGE ITCH & THE OSTOMIST SIXTH SENSE

Hopefully if you've read my blog "what the hell is a stoma" you’ll have a very clinical idea of what they are. I have been thinking on how can I describe life with a stoma to someone that doesn’t have one. My life has been better since my ileo/stoma addition but that doesn’t mean it has been easy. It has changed many things in my life and to list them all would be immense (and probably a bit boring!) So I have chosen to share a couple of insights at a time.

Initially its probably a good idea to explain exactly what my stoma bag is. In it's basic form it is just that, a bag! I assure you though they have allot of tech in them. Carbon filters, skin care adhesive, plus even the bag itself has multiple layers to avoid leaks and tears. But ultimately it’s still a bag. Hard to describe so here is a pic.


Flesh coloured for added camoflague ;)

The stoma bags are very high tech appliances. However, they are not flawless. A very real concern is adhesive failure. This can be from faulty adhesive but more commonly from bad application. A small ripple or fold when applying the bag can allow output to slowly seep out. There are early warnings. It’s only over the last few years I heard a phrase that affectionately describes this.

1) THE CHANGE ITCH!!!
Fellow ostomists will hopefully understand ;)

Basically when a leak occurs they are often slow leaks (rather than a total bag failure or 'blowout'. Trust me these are a whole different level fo fun!) With my Ileostomy the output is very acidic and therefore as the leaky output comes into contact with the skin around the stoma site an itchy feeling occurs. Unfortunately this is actually the output burning my skin :( This is a trigger to change that bag!

I have left this in the past and the skin around the site become red, sore and inflamed. In extreme cases this has also created a knock on effect for a few days. As the skins repairs itself and the burns 'weep' the adhesive can fail, causing more leaks. I’ve learnt now do not ignore the change itch This use to happen allot, until I was recommended Stoma collars. These handy little additions have drastically reduced my 'change itches' I highly recommend them.


2) THE OSTOMISTS SIXTH SENSE
The other less obvious side effect I have found about having a stoma is a new found ‘sixth sense’ I am not saying that I see dead people or anything like that. I have developed a skill for finding the nearest toilet! As my bag has a finite capacity and I personally do not like to let it fully fill up I find myself emptying 7-8 times a day. You can get 3 sizes of bags mini, midi and maxi. Again I personally find the midi more comfortable and an acceptable trade-off for capacity. I can almost walk into any new building or restaurant my sixth sense triggers. It’s almost like I can’t settle until I know where they are. I have very little in the way of issues but it’s a habit I can’t avoid!

So there you go a small insight into life with a stoma actually. From a very practical and more personal perspective.

Welcome to my world!

2014 is turning into quite a line up already. Parliamentary reception, articles and front cover of Beating Bowel Cancer patient magazine. A recent visit to Clinimed ( my stoma bag suppliers) blog post coming soon ; )

Everyone jokes but its almost like a full time job!! Stil very honoured that my ramblings and experiences can help or even inspire others. With all the excitement and potential I dont want to forget why and how I started all this. For me, the last 12 months have improved my health. Im training 5 days a week now and lifting over my own bodyweight in squats and deadlifts!!!!

But thats not it I can honestly say that may be how it started but now I love these races. Lactic almost 12 months ago was when it all started. This was that catalyst, for my current journey. Training is the prep so I can complete these events (safely)

My aim for 2014 is to help where I can and raise awareness for bowel cancer and ostomists. I find the 2 impossible to seperate. 2014 is the year I feel like I can give something back. I wish I had access to the support groups like ostomy athletes lifestyle on facebook 7 years ago! Its a diverse group. Yes many posts are about sport, running etc. But it develops into far more than that. I have made new friends. Friends who understand how and why some days things get tough. Why I can feel down although to the rest of the world I look strong. I cant wait to meet some of these people at Thunder run in July!! They have helped more than they will ever know.

Perhaps its because my first mud run anniversary is coming closer, but reflecting has reminded me, yes these races are tough, but GOD THEY ARE FUN!!!

Its always been hard to explain what they actually are, so my lovely wife purchased me a waterproof camera for my bday...so now you can see what I see ; )

Below is my first attempt at the recent Nuclear Trial.  Welcome to my world, hope you enjoy 

 : )

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DkMrI2xiZ6o