Swimming with a stoma

Paul Binks, 54 from Lancashire, was diagnosed with early bowel cancer in August 2021. He shares with us how he built up his confidence to swim with his stoma bag and how he plans to challenge himself with our Swim15 fundraiser.

I was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2021, after noticing blood in my poo a couple of times. I had surgery in October 2021 and now have a stoma; hopefully temporary, I will find out this August if it can be reversed.

My bowel cancer treatment was three months of chemo, which left me with a little neuropathy in my feet and fingers. I made the decision in early February to be very open about my cancer and my stoma; it's far easier than keeping it under wraps, though I can understand why people do.

I suffered a little with mental health issues before my diagnosis which was made worse after having the stoma. I really struggled with confidence, body image, feeling able to go out and be in company of others. It took a while before I was comfortable with my wife seeing my stoma bag, and I didn't even like having a bath and getting the bag wet.

I joined the Bowel Cancer UK Chat Together in March 2022, there was six of us on the call with a facilitator; this group really helped with all the things mentioned above.

I really wanted to get back into swimming, which I used to do three times a week before my operation. I gained confidence from the group, some of whom go swimming, who encouraged me to try swimming again in my local pool. I obtained a support belt through the stoma nurse on prescription, that essentially covers the stoma bag and supports it. My first time back in the pool I was very nervous and wondered how it would feel, and also how other people would react, but it's been a really positive experience, now I'm going two or three times a week.

I have always been into outdoor activities, such as cycling, walking, swimming, and paddle boarding; these have really helped my mental health. As well as the exercise, it allows you to focus on what you are doing rather than all the worries, and brings you into the moment, a sort of mindfulness as well as benefiting from the physical health benefits.

Doing these with a stoma has its challenges around supporting the stoma against hernia, but also around the stoma being active and having to empty the bag. I've done a few things for the first time, cycling, paddle boarding, hill walking and now swimming outside. The way I’ve approached it is to get a friend who I trust to go with me; I've not needed them to do anything just been there for me; more moral support than anything. What I've found is it is the worry of something going wrong, and how it would be is far worse than actually doing it, and once you do something it just seems normal again.

I was really taken by the Swim15 challenge, and it was my way of giving back to Bowel Cancer UK and something for me to focus on. Seeing Dame Deborah James in the media, especially her sad passing, inspired me and also made me realise just how lucky I've been with early diagnosis. As well the DJ Adele Roberts has been very open about her cancer and her stoma, which has helped me be open about mine.

Tips for starting swimming with a stoma:

• Trust your bag, it's waterproof!
• Start small and work up; have a limited time in the pool first – don't push yourself.
• Consider a special swim garment to cover the stoma bag and support it; lots on the market, and some look like normal clothing. You can speak to your stoma nurse for a prescription.
• The first time is always the worst but feels great when you've done it.
• Consider taking a friend, just to be there for you.
• If you’re going to try swimming outdoors, then make sure the water is clean (you would do anyway). Also consider having something with you to empty or change your bag, you may not need it, but it gives you confidence to know you can if you have to.
• For me I can judge how active my stoma will be at certain times of the day and after certain foods. So, try and think when is best to go and adjust your eating habits before you swim.

I’m married with two grown up kids and my son, Sam is hoping to support me with the Swim15 challenge. I've said that I'll swim 15 times in August with three outdoor swims. The current plan is to try and do 1500m in Llyn Padarn, Llanberis, near where he lives on Saturday 6 August, which is nearly a year from my formal cancer diagnosis on 11 August 2021 – funny how these dates are imprinted on my mind!

The lady who took my swimming photos is Helen James, my swim and paddle board buddy. We plan to have more practice swims before the challenge starts on the 6 August.

I posted one of these photos of me with my stoma on the open-water Swimming Society Facebook page and got over 1700 likes and over a 100 positive comments, some from fellow ostomates who swim, others from people, or people who know people, with a stoma who wanted to try swimming.

By doing these things as an ostomate we are not special, brave or inspirational, we are just normal people who have had a setback that we are overcoming and getting on with life. When life throws you lemons; make lemonade!

Inspired by Paul’s story? Sign up to Swim15 today