A Way of Life: Gillian Hendry on Irrigation

22 April, 2026

Irrigation offers freedom to many ostomates – but it requires diligence and routine to be successful, as Gillian Hendry explains.

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Gill. I live in Cheadle-Hulme and am fast approaching my 70th birthday. I initially trained as a general nurse and then spent the next 40 plus years nursing sick children on paediatric wards and in the community. I retired in 2018, and now enjoy socialising with family and friends, and taking holidays with my husband.

When and why did you have a stoma formed?

I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2016. This resulted in a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, this didn’t resolve the problem and in 2018, the cancer was still evident. Despite radiotherapy, I was informed that this hadn’t worked and that I would need a total pelvic clearance resulting in a colostomy and urostomy. I was understandably devastated, but there was sadly no alternative. Surgery took place in August 2019.

Why do you prefer to irrigate rather than solely use stoma bags?

As I have both a colostomy and a urostomy, I looked into the possibility of irrigation as at least I might then have control over the situation with my colostomy and help with my confidence when dealing with both bags.

What is involved in irrigation?

As described in previous Tidings articles*, irrigation involves warm water being directed via a tube into the stoma and then draining the stool out through the attached drainage sleeve.

This is initially done with support from a stoma nurse, and the amount of water administered is calculated. The procedure doesn’t hurt but can become a bit uncomfortable towards the end of the water being administered.

I prefer to sit facing the toilet and have a folding chair to facilitate this. I like to be prepared and as I usually do my irrigation in the morning on alternate days, I get all the equipment ready the night before to save time.

When starting my irrigation, I usually place an incontinence sheet on the chair and floor, just in case there is an unforeseen leak during the irrigation process. I usually watch programmes on my tablet or catch up with the newspaper online as the process can take approximately an hour.

Following irrigation I put on a stoma bag and then shower. I prefer to use a stoma bag as there is sometimes some residual fluid still present especially when I start to be mobile. I will then change the bag for a new one which should last, content free, for 48 hours.

What are some of the things that ostomates should be aware of if they wanted to try irrigation?

Irrigation is great for me as it has given me control of my output. However, to irrigate successfully there needs to be a high level of commitment, especially when people initially start, as it usually needs to be done daily until the bowel adjusts. You therefore you have to ensure it fits in with your lifestyle.

I normally irrigate in the morning, but it can be done at any time of the day. Though it’s best to do it around the same each day. Sometimes, however, if I have a very early start – a flight for instance – then I may get up much earlier or complete my irrigation the night before. Then continue on my normal pattern.

Whilst I can normally go 48 hours between irrigations, it’s important to be aware that occasionally, due to things like a change in diet, you may find your bowels work in between your regular irrigation times. I always continue to irrigate alternate days to keep on track. I still sometimes produce gas which I have to relieve from the bag, but fortunately not too often.

What are your top tips for anyone considering irrigation?

I continue to irrigate on holiday. If travelling by car within the UK, I take my fold up chair so I can still sit facing the toilet when irrigating. If abroad, the first thing I check out in the accommodation are the bathroom facilities, to decide how I am going to set up my irrigation process, and what chair is suitable for me to use. I always find a way to facilitate my irrigation.

When abroad, I use bottled water to irrigate. If finding enough bottled water is a challenge, or it is particularly expensive, I may use boiled bottled water and then top it up with cold bottled water to get the right temperature. To enable this, I take a small plastic measuring jug and pour the cooled water into the irrigation water container.

I take a plastic hook with me on trips too, to enable me to hang the irrigation water container up – usually from the shower screen (or anywhere else which allows gravity to do its thing, enabling the water to flow into the stoma). After each irrigation I dispose of the sleeve into a disposable bag. I also usually double-bag before putting it in the bin.

I find if staying at family or friends’ houses, they are always accommodating to my need to irrigate, as I am very open about my colostomy and urostomy.

It is important to be aware that, if travelling to unfamiliar parts of the world, you may get a stomach upset. It is therefore a good idea to take extra colostomy bags with you on any such trips. I still try to continue irrigating, even if I have a stomach upset – or if I am unable to do so, I will get back on track as soon as possible.

If travelling by plane, I always pack my supplies in hand luggage to ensure I don’t lose anything in transit, and ensure my sleeves are pre-cut so I have as little extra to do as possible while away.

Any final thoughts?

I find irrigation suits my lifestyle and would personally recommend at least giving it a go if you are able to. It means I have control of my colostomy rather than it having control over me. It also makes it easier for me to deal with my urostomy.

I hope this gives some positive insights into colostomy irrigation which isn’t as complicated as it might initially appear.

For more Tidings articles on irrigation, see:

• Dear Nurse column from the Autumn 2025 issue
• Extolling the Virtues of Irrigation from Autumn 2024 issue