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Traveling with a Stoma, Ostomy – What I’ve Learned the Hard Way ✈️💼

Let’s start with the truth…
Traveling with a stoma, ostomy can feel like you’re preparing for a small expedition rather than a relaxing break.

You’ve got the packing.
The “just in case” bag.
The “just in case of the just in case” bag.
And then that little voice in your head whispering, “What if something goes wrong?”

Honestly? Sometimes… it does. And I’m going to share one of those moments with you.

Before I do—quick little gem for you…

There are actually apps that show accessible toilets worldwide (lifesaver!). I’ve popped them into a FREE PDF here 👉 https://bit.ly/43DnL6g

Right, back to my “learning the hard way” moment…

The Weekend That Nearly Wasn’t 😳

We were heading off for a lovely weekend. Nothing extravagant—just a chance to reset, relax, and spend time with my husband and family.

I packed everything. Or so I thought.

Fast forward to when I needed to change my bag… and oh no.
I’d packed old stock.

Now, if you’ve ever been there, you’ll know exactly what happened next…
The flange just refused to stick. No matter how gently, carefully, or desperately I tried.

And then came that feeling…
That rising panic.
That heat in your chest.
That “what am I going to do now?” moment.

Not ideal when you’re meant to be relaxing, is it?

Thankfully, we weren’t too far from home. So off I went—back in the car, grabbed fresh supplies, sorted everything… and then back again to restart the weekend.

(And just to reassure you—I did fix everything before driving. I have limits 😂)

What That Moment Taught Me

Sometimes these moments, as stressful as they are, give us the best lessons.

Here are my golden rules now:

🔹 Pack 3x more than you think you need

Honestly, whatever you think is enough… triple it.
Because the one thing you don’t pack is the one thing your stoma, ostomy will suddenly decide it absolutely needs.

🔹 Fresh supplies only

No more “that’ll do” moments.
Check your kit. Is it still sticky? Has it been sat there for months?
Your peace of mind is worth more than saving a few supplies.

🔹 Plan for calm, not perfection

I now check menus in advance (gluten free life over here 🙋‍♀️), give myself time, and listen to my body.

Because here’s something I’ve learned deeply—
When I’m calm, my tummy is calm.

And that changes everything.

👉 I’ve also created a FREE guide to help you handle leaks when they happen (because let’s be real—they can). You can grab that here: https://bit.ly/4fpvlq9

The Bit That Really Matters 💛

Travel isn’t just about getting from A to B.

It’s about laughter.
It’s about connection.
It’s about those little moments where you think, “I’m so glad I came.”

Having a stoma, ostomy doesn’t stop that.
Yes, it asks for more planning.
Yes, it asks for patience.

But it also shows you how strong, adaptable, and capable you really are.

You are still you.
Still worthy of adventure.
Still allowed to enjoy your life fully with your bag, not despite it.

A Little About Me 💫

Hi, I’m Helinka. My journey started back in 2013 when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, which led to my ileostomy.

And if I’m honest… it turned my world upside down.

There were days I didn’t recognise myself. Days where confidence felt miles away. Days where just getting through felt like enough.

But something in me didn’t want to just “cope.”
I wanted to feel like me again.

That’s where my journey changed.

I started creating my own stoma, ostomy lingerie because I couldn’t find anything that made me feel confident, comfortable, and yes… even a little bit sexy.

And from there, something beautiful grew.

Not just in what I create but in how I support others.

Becoming a clinical hypnotherapist allowed me to help people through the emotional side of living with a stoma, ostomy—the anxiety, the grief, the “will I ever feel normal again?” thoughts.

Because I’ve been there. I get it.

And I also know this…
Life with a stoma, ostomy can still be full, joyful, and meaningful.

Call to Action 💬

Have you ever had a travel moment that didn’t quite go to plan… or one that made you feel proud?

I’d genuinely love to hear your story—drop it in the comments below 👇

💛 If you’d like my Ultimate Packing Checklist for traveling with your stoma, ostomy, just comment “CHECKLIST” and I’ll send it over.

And if this helped you, could you share it with someone who might need that little bit of reassurance today?

You’ve got this.
Bag and all. 💫