Emergency Preparedness

I find this very real and serious conversation the hubs and I had on the plane to Hawaii funny. Maybe not hahaha funny, but yes this is our life funny;)

Me: (After reviewing the safety features of our Airbus 767, or whatever it was.) Ok, if we ever have to make an emergency landing, I know they say not to grab anything, but we have to get my catheter. It's right in my purse, we don't need my whole pack, just the catheter. Everything else I can live without.

Hubs: Ok, show me again where it is. Don't worry one of us will always know/be able to grab your tube in an emergency.

Me: Thanks babe, your the best. (Then we both turned back to our books.)

It was as if all people have this convo. And although if I had a straw I could improvise, I would NOT want to do that unless absolutely necessary, I'd be so worried about my valve. And remember, I can't go much more than 12 hours in a pinch without emptying my stool, so this is imperative.

There you have it folks, just another day in the Chronicles of Crap life.

Adventures in Travel with a K-Pouch

Our trip to Hawaii was my first long flight with my buddy the k-pouch. And although I wasn't too nervous, it did take a little extra thought on my part to plan my emptying.

On the short flights I've done in the last two years, I've had some uncomfortable gas from the altitude, but nothing I couldn't manage. But with this flight, I wanted to make sure my pouch was as empty as possible to alleviate any gas, but to also minimize the possibility of me having to empty on the plane.

Now although this absolutely can be done. I personally did NOT want to go there. I mean tiny bathroom, the potential number of people waiting as I took the 10+ minutes I need to empty and turbulence were just the top reasons why if I could avoid it, I was going to.

Now of course, had I absolutely needed to empty on the plane to be comfortable, I would have just braved it and looked over every one's head when I came out and the stench filled the plane. I mean a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do, but still that's not ideal.

So I decided I would empty as close to boarding as possible (I can leave the stench and take the time in a large bathroom, that's only mildly uncomfortable.) Then as soon as we landed and got off the plane I would empty if need be. And I'm happy to report this plan went just as I hoped and the small amount of gas pain was totally manageable, yippee.

While staying at the hotel in the beginning of the week, I decided that I would empty down in one of the pool or beach bathrooms rather than spend my spoons walking back up to the room and back. It was a trade off for sure.

The first day, I went in and of course there were only two stalls. I set about my routine, all the while I could hear the line building out the door. As luck would have it the person in the stall next to me was taking a long time too!! Oh no the pressure was great, I was sweating and trying to go as fast as is possible, but it was inevitable. One of the ladies in line said, in a nice way, "please hurry up in there." Ugh, ok, I'm trying. So I hurried and packed up my stuff and walked out to the sink without my band aid back on. I figured they needed to know I wasn't just in there taking my sweet time. One lady saw me put the band aid on and asked if I hurt myself and I explained that I had a continent ostomy. She sheepishly said, "Oh my friend has an ostomy."

I was a little embarrassed but at the same time, I know that it was what was best for me and my body. Is it ideal, no, but it's better than the alternative of me not being here.

The next day, thankfully I didn't have the line build up. But when I walked out, a poor young girl was standing there covering her face with her shirt from the smell. And I had sprayed some air freshener! Ummm, yeah, no eye contact there and I sped out as soon as I could.

It's the little things you don't think of until faced with them. And this was just another adventure in maneuvering life as a permanent ostomate. Sometimes I laugh and shake my head and the way things have changed around here;)

Bruiser

Nice picture right, lovely view. Oh wait you are confused on what I'm looking at?! I mean of the water, not that nasty, GIANT bruise on my right leg.

That my friends is the result of my first at-home B12 shot. Remember when I was telling you that I did so awesome at the doctor's office and I was so proud of myself. Well that will teach me to be so cocky.

The night before we left for Hawaii I was due for my shot, perfect timing. I got it all set up and was feeling confident. I stuck the needle in and immediately I knew things were not right. I bruised before the needle even came out, and then when I did pull the needle out we had blood suprtage. YIKES!

I was home alone, so I tried not to freak out and immediately texted my k-pouch mama, who also gives herself B12 shots. She assured me I was fine, no big deal. And thank goodness because what I was most concerned about is that I was going to ruin our trip.

But aside from the U-G-L-Y mark it left, all was well. And next month, I'll be over at my k-pouch mama's house when I give myself the shot. Still a student here.

Aloha

Aloha, oh wait you don't speak Hawaiian, sorry I'm still in the mode from our lovely island vacation we just got back from. No big thang.

First, let me say that I believe the Hawaiian islands are just about the most relaxing, wonderful places. You just can't NOT be happy in Hawaii. We honeymooned in Maui six years ago and we were lucky enough to head back, this time to the Big Island, last week.

We spent the first part of the week, just the two of us at an awesome resort, soaking up the sun, decompressing, and embracing the calmness that is the Hawaiian spirit. Heaven I tell you.

The second part of the week, we met up with the Hubs family for the reason we even decided on this amazing trip, his older bro's wedding. We stayed on a plantation that had tons of fruit trees, coffee and cocoa plants. Very cool. Got to catch up with some family we rarely get to see and got to do it pool and beach side, can't beat that. And the main event, the wedding, was so nice and everyone was absolutely beautiful. So glad we could celebrate such a special time with the happy couple.

What you want to see some pictures, well ok if you insist...

Hawaiian graffiti made with coral on the black lava rock.

High Five!

And the picture doesn't even do it justice, every night was A-MAZE-ING.

Oh don't worry, this was the view from our room at the resort. The dolphin lagoon (with 8 dolphins, including an 18 day old baby) in the foreground and yes that's the ocean just beyond. Life is rough.

We splurged and got the convertible and I'm so glad we did. It allowed us to enjoy the scenery and sun that much more. (He immediately changed into more island appropriate attire as soon as he could.)

We love self photos. My cutey and the sunset, total perfection.

Remember that Dolphin Lagoon I mentioned we viewed from our room, well they had a dolphin encounter program and the Hubs did it and LOVED it. I loved watching him and the dolphins from out of the water;) Truly beautiful animals.

My new sister-in-law, the lovely bride, and her Maid of Honor, who just happens to be my future sister-in-law:) She'll be marrying the Hubs younger brother next summer, yeah -- we are so excited!

The family, minus the girls seen above. Me, Hubs, MIL, the Groom/Older Bro, FIL, Younger Bro.

Weddings are a perfect time to reminisce on our own special day. I love him A LOT.

It was a great trip. Can't believe it's come and gone already. It's always good to be home, but I'm already dreaming of the next time we can head back to the islands.

Go Run-Ears!

This morning we woke up bright and early (3:30 a.m., yikes!) to go support these two in their second 1/2 marathon. This was the Disney run, through Disneyland, Angels Stadium, Downtown Disney and the surrounding area. It was a great morning and I'm so proud of them for taking on this challenge...Again.

Go Run-Ears! Both did great with their times and look cute to boot. Check out that bling they got for completing the race.

The cutie K, most adorable member of the ChEar squad. We got to see lots of Disney costumes along the route and in true Disney fashion everything was very organized, friendly and clean;)

And as if two 1/2 marathons wasn't enough, both the hubs and J have signed on to do the CCFA Team Challenge one again in Vegas this December. Which means that they will complete 3 1/2 marathons in a year -- WOW.

Don't worry, I'll share info on that and how you can support the CCFA fundraising efforts soon;)