Nurse Appreciation Month at HIRO Ostomy Belts

October Is Nurse Appreciation Month at HIRO

Wound Ostomy Continence nurses are the quiet heroes of ostomy life. They mark the stoma site before surgery, teach us our first pouch change, and pick up the phone when something just doesn't feel right. This month we're celebrating them, and we'd love your help saying thank you.

Share Your Nurse With Us What to Ask Your Nurse
Honor Your Nurse, Get $30 Off

Share a nurse with us this October and you'll get a $30 off coupon, good for 30 days. Every nurse you share also enters you in our grand prize drawing, so share your whole care team for more chances to win.

Limit one $30 coupon per customer. One coupon per order. Cannot be combined with any other coupons or offers. Not valid on Halo products.

Why Staying in Touch With Your Nurse Matters

Many of us only see a WOC nurse in the hospital and then lose touch once we're home. But your body keeps changing after surgery. Your stoma shrinks over the first several weeks, your weight shifts, and your activity comes back. A quick check in with your nurse can catch small problems before they turn into leaks, sore skin, or a long night. If you don't have a nurse right now, the WOCN Find a Nurse directory is a great place to start.

What to Talk About With Your Nurse

The Right Supplies

  • Is my wafer opening still the right size for my stoma?
  • Would a convex barrier, ring, or paste help my seal?
  • How often should I be changing my pouching system?
  • Are there samples I can try before I order a full box?

The Right Ostomy Belt

Reducing Skin Irritation

  • Is the redness around my stoma normal, or should we change something?
  • Which skin barrier wipes or powders are right for me?
  • How do I remove my wafer more gently?
  • Is my belt snug without rubbing or pressing on the stoma?

Stopping Leaks

  • Where does my pouch usually leak, and why?
  • Would an ostomy support belt help keep the barrier flat when I bend or move?
  • What should I change for swimming, sports, or sleep? See UOAA on swimming and our tips on an ostomy belt for swimming.
  • When should I call you instead of waiting it out?

Bring this list to your next visit, or print this page.

A Few Words From My Own Journey

I'll never forget the day before my surgery, when my nurse marked the spot for my stoma. It was one of the hardest days I've been through. Having an ostomy was something I never wanted, and in that moment it suddenly became real. I came close to breaking down. What I didn't understand yet was how an ostomy would change my life for the better. My nurse took the time to calmly explain how everything was going to work, and that kindness meant more than I could say. If I could change one thing, I'd have learned more about it sooner, before the day of my surgery.Richard O'Hamill
When I woke up from surgery, my nurse came in with the pouches and supplies I'd be using and started teaching me how they worked. Having someone show me the ropes right from the start was so helpful. It was my first real step toward feeling like I could do this.Richard O'Hamill
Over the years, I've learned that a nurse's goal is truly to help their patients. They track down the right supplies, connect us with support networks and people who understand, and recommend products that work. Because they talk with so many patients, they hear every problem firsthand, and many of them give their own free time to help us live the best life possible. Many of us come to an ostomy through major surgery for cancer, Crohn's, or colitis, and that's a lot to carry. Nurses help us through it with grace and calm, and they're always there when we need them. To every ostomy nurse out there: thank you.Richard O'Hamill

Share Your Nurse With HIRO

Only 2 fields are required: your nurse's first name and email. Everything else is optional.

We'll reach out to your nurse professionally to introduce our ostomy belts and offer free demo belts and patient resources. Add your own email below so we can send your coupon.

Prefer email? Send your nurse's details to nurse@ohamillinc.com.

Your Nurse

About You

Optional, but add your email so we can send your $30 coupon and enter you in the prize drawing.

This information is only used by O'Hamill Inc. to introduce HIRO to your nurse and to send your coupon. We never sell it.

More Helpful Resources

A note from Richard: I'm not a nurse or a doctor, and nothing here is medical advice. Your nurse knows your body and your stoma, so always follow their guidance. To every WOC nurse reading this: thank you. If you'd like to talk, reach out to me directly at nurse@ohamillinc.com.