Yes, it was funny after the fact. These navel stomas are a surprise to many of the staff in the hospitals. One story is not for now, but another one still makes me smile.
My husband was rather weak from an infection, and the nurse came in to cath him. Luckily, I was there, so that when she lifted up the sheet and reached for his penis, I was able to speak out, in a "perky sweet" voice, and tell her that his stoma was in his navel, and that she wouldn't get much from THAT.
I don't know who was more surprised, the nurse or my husband, but she did get the idea, and got the job done.
That idea of the circle around the navel is a GREAT idea, Pat. I wonder why I didn't think of that.
Whatever decision you make, Doug....just make sure you feel that you have all the information you need. Getting past the diagnosis is already a big hurdle. Give yourself some time with that, and then deal with the method after you have the time to ask all your questions.
And another point....if at some time during the recovery period you feel that you are not getting enough sleep, it is possible to place a catheter in the stoma, and leave it there for several hours, taped in place, attached to a night bag.
Stephany in Iowa