The Hidden Challenges of Airport Security for Ostomates
For most holidaymakers, airport security represents a minor inconvenience. However, for individuals with hidden medical conditions like Nicole Trimboli, the experience can be profoundly humiliating and unhygienic. The 51-year-old Australian, a two-time cancer survivor, faces unique hurdles every time she travels due to her ostomy bag.
A Survivor's Journey and Travel Ordeal
Nicole first overcame Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006, only to receive a second devastating diagnosis of bowel cancer in 2021. The treatment required the removal of her bowel, leaving her with a stoma and ostomy bag. Despite this, the author and wellness mentor refuses to let her condition limit her life. She describes navigating airport security as a 'whole new world' where she frequently appears to be concealing something, leading to regular pat-downs and luggage searches.
Her most distressing experience occurred in Australia when security discovered scissors in her medical repair kit. 'They treated me like a criminal,' Nicole recalls. 'They emptied my bag out and all my ostomy supplies. Emptying all of that out in front of everybody as you're going through security is quite embarrassing. There's the hygiene factor as well.'
Beyond Security: The Wider Travel Struggles
The challenges extend far beyond airport checkpoints. Air travel presents its own set of difficulties, particularly with confined aircraft toilets that make changing her appliance challenging. Nicole highlights the anxiety about potential leaks during long-haul flights, which brings not just embarrassment but concerns about odour affecting other passengers.
Dehydration during flights is another significant issue, requiring her to specifically request adequate water and take electrolytes. Her concerns also include long bus journeys and tours in remote locations, where toilet facilities can be primitive. During a trip to remote Indonesia, she encountered facilities without soap or proper handwashing, sometimes having to scoop water from a bucket to flush the toilet.
Dietary changes while travelling also pose problems, as unfamiliar foods can cause different physical reactions that are harder to manage away from home.
Spreading Awareness and Inspiration
Despite these obstacles, Nicole is determined to help others live life on their own terms. As a Lived Experience Committee Member for the Bowel Cancer Outcomes Registry and Ambassador for Coloplast Pty Ltd, she advocates for greater awareness about hidden disabilities. She has also documented her journey in her book, 'What A Sh!t Show'.
Nicole emphasises that many people live with similar conditions due to various health issues including Crohn's disease, colitis, and IBS. Her powerful message to others is clear: 'Don't miss out on the good experiences because of that fear and anxiety. Do it anyway!' Her story serves as an inspiration, proving that life with an ostomy bag doesn't have to mean giving up on travel adventures.
