The OZtomy Nurse Project

TOZNP- Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes areas of the digestive tract to become inflamed, causing pain, swelling, ulceration and bleeding. The inflammation most commonly affects the end of the small bowel (the terminal ileum), the large bowel and the area around the anus, but it can happen anywhere along the digestive tract. For people who suffer from Crohn's, surgery sometimes results in the formation of a stoma. This episode explains how Crohn's was distinguished as an autoimmune disease and how exactly it affect's those diagnosed. Additionally, when a stoma has been formed, there may be additional peristomal skin care requirements, to manage this debilitating disease.

TOZNP - Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is one of 2 major types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — a chronic and debilitating condition which causes the large intestine become inflamed, with ulcerated sores within the lining of the bowel. Although medical and surgical advances have improved treatments for UC, the ultimate cause and cure remains unknown. This episode explores the history of IBD, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, and the treatment options available, including temporary and permanent stoma formation options for people living with inflammatory bowel disease.

Abdominal Fistula's

"Focusing on Fistula's". A fistula is an abnormal connection between two organs. Abdominal fistulas, which are treated much the same way as a stoma may result from a wide variety of conditions and circumstances. Stomal therapy management of fistula's can be quite challenging and frustrating, but also, ultimately, rewarding. A solid understanding of related anatomy, physiology, and metabolism is required by specialist caregivers, in order to successfully meet these challenges.

Radiation Therapy with a stoma

Radiation therapy uses a form of X-rays to destroy or injure cancer cells so they cannot multiply. Commonly, a course of radiation therapy is used to shrink a tumour before surgery for locally advanced cancers. Occasionally, if the cancer is found to be more advanced than originally thought, radiation therapy may be used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This episode examines the history of radiation therapy, how it is used today, and the side effects that may occur following treatment, if you live with a stoma. As an added extra, i interview a radiation therapist to understand how radiation treatment works in todays modern cancer treatment world.

Chemotherapy with a Stoma

Chemotherapy may be used before and after stoma surgery to get rid of cancer cells and reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. If your doctor recommends chemotherapy, you will probably start as soon as your stoma has healed and you've recovered your strength. But living with a stoma and undergoing chemotherapy can often be problematic, with skin, nerve and bowel changes sometimes causing problems with your normal routine. This episode explains how chemo works, what parts of the body can be affected, and  how these important drugs can affect daily life with a stoma.

TOZNP- An overseas perspective

In this episode i interview a work colleague who had his first nursing experience with managing people with stoma's back in his home country, the Philippines. John's perspective on how our countries differ is an excellent reminder that we in Australia are so very fortunate to have a healthcare system that supports and funds the supplies for people living with a stoma.

Stomal Prolapse

A prolapse is a stoma that turns outwards through itself, causing abnormal lengthening.  Although rarely life threatening, the appearance of a prolapsed stoma can be distressing for people, and sometimes requires some changes to your stoma care routine. This episode explains why prolapses occur, who is at risk, and the conservative and surgical options to treat this difficult complication of stoma formation.

High Output Stoma's

A high output stoma refers to an excessive volume of faecal output from either a newly formed stoma, or one that has been established for a long time. It is more common in those who live with an ileostomy and is a precurser to dehydration, renal failure and malnutrition. In severe cases, hospitalisation may be required to correct fluid and electrolyte losses. This episode explains what is high output, the causes, prevention and treatment for this condition, and how to manage high output through nutritional, medical and practical pouching strategies. 

Stomal Therapy week and Bowel Cancer Awareness month

National Stomal Therapy Awareness Week runs from June 10-16, to acknowledge and support people living with stomas as well as their specialist medical professionals. Evidently, Bowel Cancer awareness months falls in June also! This quick change episode pays tribute to those with a stoma, stomal therapy nurses and our ostomy product partners. We also highlight the statistics of bowel cancer, to raise awareness of the prevalence of this disease. Finally, a heartfelt shout out to all who are affected by bowel cancer, including those who have lived or live with a stoma, and are alive today thanks to effective screening and life-saving surgery.

Parastomal Hernia

"Beating the Bulge". Parastomal hernias are an unfortunately common complication in those with a stoma. They occur as a result of weakness in the abdominal wall when the stoma is formed, which is associated with multiple patient and surgical factors. This episode today talks about the reasons for hernia's evolving, what we do about them (if at all) and how to try and put preventative measures in place so that hernias can be avoided during your stoma life.