Travelling with a Stoma, Ostomy: More Than a Holiday, It’s a Step Back into Life

When you first get your stoma, ostomy, travelling may be one of the last things on your mind.

You are trying to work out pouch changes, wondering if that strange noise came from your bag or your stomach, and figuring out how to trust your body again.

The thought of airports, long car journeys, unfamiliar toilets, or being miles away from home can feel overwhelming.

I know because I’ve been there.

Like many people living with a stoma, ostomy, I spent time wondering if life would ever feel normal again. Would I be able to travel? Would I feel confident enough? What if something went wrong?

The truth is, something might go wrong.

But then again, something might go brilliantly.

And often, that is exactly what happens.

The First Trip is Always the Hardest

I often tell people that travelling with a stoma, ostomy is a bit like learning to ride a bike again.

At first you’re wobbly.

You overthink everything.

You pack enough supplies to survive a six-month expedition to Antarctica when you’re only going away for a weekend.

Then gradually, confidence grows.

You realise that you can cope.

You realise that your emergency kit has become your security blanket.

And you discover that life is still waiting for you beyond your front door.

Your Stoma, Ostomy Doesn’t Define Your World

One of the biggest myths people tell themselves after surgery is:

“I can’t do that anymore.”

Yet every year, people with a stoma, ostomy climb mountains, swim in the sea, go camping, travel abroad, cruise around the world, hike through forests, and create memories they once thought were impossible.

Your stoma, ostomy may have changed your route, but it doesn’t have to change your destination.

In many ways, it can remind you just how precious life really is.

When you’ve faced illness, surgery, fear, and uncertainty, you often gain a deeper appreciation for experiences that others take for granted.

Watching a sunset from a different country.

Walking along a beach.

Exploring a new city.

Sitting in a café people-watching while enjoying a slice of cake that probably contains more calories than your entire emergency travel kit.

Balance is important after all!

My handbag may contain snacks, tissues but somehow I can still never find my keys when I need them!

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The Physical Benefits of Getting Away

Travelling naturally encourages movement.

Whether you’re wandering through quaint villages, exploring nature trails, visiting gardens, or simply strolling around an unfamiliar town, your body benefits from gentle activity.

Movement can help:

• Improve circulation
• Increase energy levels
• Support digestion
• Reduce stress
• Boost overall wellbeing

Many people find that they feel physically stronger after a trip because they have been active without even realising it.

It’s exercise disguised as adventure.

Far more enjoyable than staring at a treadmill wondering how many more minutes are left.

Building Emotional Confidence

The emotional impact of travelling with a stoma, ostomy can be life-changing.

Every challenge you overcome becomes evidence that you are capable.

The first restaurant.

The first hotel stay.

The first flight.

The first time you leave your accommodation without checking your bag every five minutes.

Each success builds confidence.

Not just confidence in your stoma, ostomy management, but confidence in yourself.

You start to see that you are more resilient than you realised.

You begin replacing fear with trust.

And that confidence often spills into every other area of life.

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Giving Your Mind a Different Focus

One of the things I have noticed personally is how powerful it can be simply to be somewhere different.

When we’re at home, our minds often stay focused on our worries, routines, responsibilities, and health concerns.

Travelling changes that.

Suddenly your brain has new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences to process.

Your attention shifts.

Instead of focusing on your stoma, ostomy every minute of the day, you’re looking at beautiful scenery, trying local food, meeting new people, or working out why you packed three pairs of shoes when you only wore one.

Being somewhere different gives your mind room to breathe.

It creates mental space.

And sometimes that space is exactly what we need.

The Joy of Freedom and Achievement

There is something incredibly powerful about reaching a destination you once thought would be impossible.

Maybe it’s a weekend away.

Maybe it’s your dream holiday.

Maybe it’s simply getting on a train and visiting somewhere new.

Whatever it is, the achievement matters.

Because every trip sends a message to yourself:

“I can still live.”

“I can still explore.”

“I can still enjoy life.”

That feeling cannot be measured in miles travelled.

It is measured in confidence gained.

Finding Your Tribe Along the Way

Travelling also reminds us that we are never as alone as we think.

I’ve met incredible people through the stoma, ostomy community.

People who understand the fears, the funny stories, the practical challenges, and the victories.

Let’s be honest, there aren’t many groups of people who can have an in-depth conversation about toilet locations while eating lunch!

Yet those conversations matter.

Because support matters.

Understanding matters.

Connection matters.

Whether it’s fellow travellers, friends, family, or members of the stoma, ostomy community, these relationships help us realise that we don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

A Final Thought

Travelling with a stoma, ostomy isn’t really about holidays.

It’s about reclaiming parts of yourself that illness may have tried to steal.

It’s about building confidence one experience at a time.

It’s about creating memories instead of collecting worries.

Most importantly, it’s about remembering that life is still waiting for you.

You may need a little more preparation.

You may pack more supplies than the average traveller.

You may know the location of every toilet within a five-mile radius.

But you can still have adventures.

You can still laugh.

You can still explore.

And you can still create a life that feels rich, meaningful, and exciting.

Because your stoma, ostomy is part of your story.

It is not the end of it.

Ready to Start Your Next Adventure?

I’d love to hear about your travel experiences living with a stoma, ostomy.

What’s been your biggest travel win? What’s the place you’re dreaming of visiting next?

Leave a comment below and join our Stoma, Ostomy What a Bag  https://www.facebook.com/groups/stomaostomywhatabag community where we support, encourage, and inspire one another every step of the way.

And if you haven’t already, have a read of my latest blogs for more practical tips, emotional support, and a few laughs along the way.

Hosted by someone who’s lived it, not someone who read it in a textbook.

Hi I am Helinka Carr and have lived with an ileostomy following bowel cancer.

So I’ve been where you are.
I know the panic, the grief, the shock, the tears, the fear of living with this bag stuck to the tummy…

And I rebuilt myself, one tiny step at a time.

Now I help people do the same with compassion, humour, and real-life tools that work.

My Story Short & Real 💪

I’m Helinka Carr. In 2013, bowel cancer and surgery and treatment left me with an ileostomy. Life with a stoma, ostomy didn’t just change my body, it rocked my confidence, mindset, and sense of who I was.

I didn’t want to just “get by.” I wanted to feel good in my body again. When I couldn’t find anything that helped me feel confident or feminine, I made it myself.

I support people emotionally and mentally as a clinical hypnotherapist and therapist, helping calm anxiety, rebuild confidence, and feel safe in their bodies again. Plus I have designed specialised stoma, ostomy lingerie that covers the bag with elegance, beautiful and pretty.I found that I couldn’t find such lingerie when I first had my bag.

You are not alone. And life can  be and will still feel good 💖