Adventure is still on the map!
For many people, camping is all about freedom. Whether it’s pitching a tent somewhere scenic, exploring in a campervan or touring in a caravan, spending time outdoors can feel wonderfully restorative. If you’re living with a urostomy, you may be wondering whether camping is still possible. The answer is, absolutely!
As with any trip away from home, camping takes a little planning, but having a urostomy certainly doesn’t have to hold you back from enjoying the great outdoors. Following their recovery after surgery, many members of the Urostomy Association continue to camp, hike and travel with confidence.
Preparation is key
The best way to enjoy your camping trip is to prepare well before leaving home. Pack more supplies than you think you’ll need, including spare bags, night drainage bags, disposal bags, wipes and any accessories you normally use. It can also be helpful to divide your supplies between different bags so you always have a backup if one gets wet or misplaced.
If you’re planning day trips or long walks, it’s a good idea to take a small ‘emergency’ kit with you so you can deal with any unexpected bag changes, wherever you are.
Keep hydrated
When you’re out walking or spending long days outdoors, it’s even more key to keep drinking plenty of fluids. Good hydration helps keep your kidneys healthy and can help reduce your risk of urinary infections.
Although it can be tempting to drink less when toilet facilities aren’t nearby, staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do while away.
Confidence comes with experience
It’s only natural to feel nervous about your first time camping with your urostomy. You could start with a single night at a local campsite to help you build confidence.
Each successful trip will help put your mind at ease, and before long you’ll have your own routine that works for you. A urostomy may change how you camp, but it doesn’t need to stop you camping. With a little planning, the right equipment and growing confidence, you’ll soon discover that the freedom of waking up surrounded by nature is just as enjoyable as ever.
Ruth’s top tips
Just three and a half months after surgery, urostomate Ruth Taylor took her first overnight trip in her beloved microcamper, Biffy. That night away gave Ruth the confidence to set off on a tour of Cornwall, proving to herself that her stoma hadn’t put an end to her love of spontaneous adventures.
As she discovered, life with a urostomy can still include being outside in beautiful scenery, enjoying memorable experiences. Here are Ruth’s top tips to make your camping trip one you’ll remember – for all the right reasons:
- Choose campsites with accessible facilities – “I like campsites with a disabled shower and toilet because there’s plenty of room and privacy for changing my bag, and it’s easy to empty and rinse my night drainage bag in the morning.”
- If facilities are basic, adapt your routine – “When I’m camping at festivals with only portable toilets and no running water I simply use a fresh night bag each night instead of rinsing and reusing one.”
- Carry your night bag discreetly – “I always put my night bag inside a waterproof carrier bag overnight. It’s never leaked, but it gives me peace of mind. In the morning I carry it to the toilet in the same bag, which keeps everything discreet.”
- Protect your bed – “I use waterproof bed pads underneath my sleeping bag or sheet whenever I’m away. I’ve never needed them because of a leak, but they’re very reassuring and help me sleep without worrying.”
- Take advantage of accessible facilities – “My RADAR key and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard give me confidence that I can use accessible toilets or ask to use facilities in shops or pubs if I need to.”
- Always carry a change kit – “I never go out without a complete bag-change kit, a spare pair of knickers and, if I’m going to be out all day, a spare pair of trousers too. I’ve only needed them occasionally, but knowing they’re there means I can relax and enjoy myself.”
