Hitting the Ice with an Ostomy
I had my colon completely removed in 2022 due to colitis and sarcoidosis. Life before my ostomy was rough, as I spent most days in the bathroom and could not participate in family or sporting events like I did before my diagnosis.
I had a mix of emotions when I realized I needed to have my colon removed. I knew the surgery would not “cure” my diseases, however it would provide relief from the endless bathroom visits to an extent, along with inflammation that had caused so much discomfort.
I grew up playing hockey, and was reintroduced to the sport when our now almost 11 year-old took up the sport at the age of five. I have had the pleasure of coaching his teams and decided to start playing again myself. After surgery, I wasn’t sure how it would feel to play with a bag. But, outside of a few proactive measures, I can’t really tell a difference.
Like any other activity, a good support belt makes a difference. It not only reduces your risk of a hernia, it also provides a nice “home” for your bag as you’re moving around. I have used Stealth Belt since about six weeks after my surgery for running, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and hockey. It provides great support and is made with a quality stretch fabric that feels good to wear.
I do not have a hard cover to protect my ostomy for use during high impact sports like hockey. At my level, there is no hitting and I feel good about the amount of protection my hockey gear provides. Beyond padding, hockey is a sweaty sport. I plan ahead with additional electrolytes before getting on the ice and recover with ample hydration and a little extra salt with my meals.
Ostomy Hockey Tips
I usually empty my bag right before a practice or game. In most cases, my gut slows down while I’m playing and I do not require a trip to the locker room. However, the hour or so after I finish playing, my gut recovers and I need to plan for at least one extra trip to empty my bag.
I wear a stealth belt or a wrap to provide support while I play.
Before, during, and after the game I drink an electrolyte infused water because of how much I sweat while playing. I’ll also add a bit of extra salt to meals if I feel depleted.
I wear two different bag systems. For hockey, I found that a Hollister one piece is the best setup for me, as it can handle heavy amounts of sweat. Other setups work fine for everyday use, however I found each day I played hockey I needed a bag change after getting off the ice, even when using adhesive extenders.
Hockey provides an outlet for me to temporarily forget about chronic illness management- all of my concentration is focused on the ice and the play at hand. It’s a great form of exercise, a way to stay engaged with a supportive community, and a lot of fun. With a little extra planning, precautions to remain hydrated, and fine tuning your bagging system, the sport is more than attainable for those of us skating without a colon.
