a great trip!

[ShePurzz]

We just took a trip for my husband's Bible College Reunion in mid-Eastern Kentucky. Having just been diagnosed with IC a couple of weeks prior, I was a little concerned about the trip. I am having the DMSO treatments, and my doctor's nurse wisely advised me to 'skip' the treatment the week of the trip. I feared that I would be in terrible pain, and found a few things that seems to work for me. Hope this gives encouragement to anyone who is thinking of passing up a vacation or long trip due to IC. First, my husband is very understanding and without his support and considerate helpful nature, I am sure the outcome would have been different. So, I guess I would suggest really talking about your concern with whomever you are travelling with. My husband asked me at each rest area "Do you need to stop?" so I was comfortable that I wasn't bugging - but rather, her understood my need to stop often. I drank my full amount of water, so there were frequent stops, but I also found that walking helped to relieve some of the back and abdominal pain. We also took along a rice filled heatbag that I could stop at a gas station and heat in the microwave to place on my tummy or back as needed. I took my pain medications BEFORE I hade pain - something I don't usually do, but I am sure helped with the long ride! We got plenty of rest, and didn't try to do a marathon drive. We stopped and smelled the roses, if you will! This whole trip really warmed my heart - made me realize even more, what a wonderful gift a loving spouse is, but also, I can do things like anyone else ... I just need to be aware of the limitations and not force myself to go beyond them. I pray that someone will consider a nice drive after reading this post ... may you be blessed with a new confidence that you CAN enjoy a trip! biggrin.gif

[Kara]

I'm going on a 6 and 1/2 hour trip from Boston MA to Rochester NY on Thursday. It's my 18 year old sister's very last dance recital. She's been dancing since she was 2 years old and I have never missed one recital. She's sad and so are we. It will be very emotional to say the very least. Anyway, I am scheduled to have my bladder removed on June 14th. I've been living with a foley catheter for 5 months now. We change the catheter every few days to keep them bacteria free. My Husband knows how to do the foley catheter procedure. He's better than the nurses and doctors! We are bringing extra catheters and insertion trays with us in case it needs to be changed while on the road. My grandmoother bought me two seats that have holes in the middle of them so my catheter does not get sit upon and cause horrible pain. I've been using these cushions for 3 weeks and I love them! They are a true urethra savers! I guess we all do the best we can when it comes to traveling. My grandmother also sent money for us to get a hotel while we are on our way to NY if I can't make it any further. We'll see if we can go for about 3 and 1/2 hours and then stop for the night. My grandmother is the best! I love her almost more than my own mother! So with extra catheters, urethra cushions, and money to stop at a hotel along the way, we should be allright.
The only pain med that I take right now is Neurontin and it seems to do the trick. I will bring pain meds just in case but I am trying to stay away from them because they cause really bad nausea. I hope my trip is as successful as yours was!


Best Wishes and Happy Travels,

Kara