Because I am a crazy person outside of being a crazy mother, I took a roadtrip with my toddler four weeks post j-pouch surgery! I know, I know… but it’s not like you didn’t have a warning, these are the chronicles of a crazy creole mommy! I’m sitting here completely exhausted wondering, why? Why would you drive for 12 hours over a two day period with a new working J-Pouch and a high energy preschooler? Why, Brooke, why? Well, for work and family and I’m glad I did. I just know the next time I have major surgery I’ll be sure to keep my skinny no-butt having self at home on my couch!
Can we just talk about the fact that I realized I have never been in such a small confined space with my son for that amount of time? I mean we’ve travelled by air and by car, but the most has been six hours. And for most of that time he was usually sleep. Not this time! HAHA! Thank the Lord for portable DVD players, books, iPads & iPods!! I don’t know what people did before then? I really don’t! I mean I’m all for keeping it basic, but how I do love living in the 21st century! I think it would have been okay if my gut was overly active and I was trying to appease it by not eating and drinking as much as usual so I wouldn’t have to stop on the side of the road! One thing I have learned is that the J-Pouch is just that, a pouch. A reservoir And where as it’s easy and convenient enough to stop at the McDonald’s or Chick-Fil-A off the highway, it is NOT a smart decision with a new pouch! I was so busy being relieved that I would be finally doing a trip without the painful that I didn’t think about how I still needed to be prepared. I forgot the Smart Water & Gatorade. I only packed enough fruit pouches, crackers and snacks for Jax. I didn’t make enough stops to move around and let my stomach work properly. I’ve decided that I need a guide to travelling with IBD! LOL! But seriously, a guide! Something that can help you while packing, preparing and organizing your trip. I should have gotten more sleep and stressed less. But I did not. I think I was so focused on the fact that I was riding around with no pain, that I didn’t think about the fact that there was still a lot going on inside my body.
Meanwhile outside my body in the seat behind me, a hooligan was having a party in crocs, a knit cap (in 90 degree desert
whether), ear phones, a box of raisins, a handful of bunny grahams and pouch full of blueberry applesauce. Every five minutes there was a loud burst of laughter from the back of the car. Followed by a long rendition of some random Yo Gabba Gabba song that was remixed and sung at all different notes. I think my son wanted to make sure the people in the homes we were passing could here him singing! His level of energy was at an all time high. I don’t think I have ever seen my son jig that much in his whole 3 years on this earth! A nice long car ride seemed like a good idea. He was such a good flyer and every time we took the four hour drive to his grandparent’s house it was never a problem. Yea… so I’m thinking next trip needs to be in a large suburban truck or on RV status! Hooligan’s & J-Pouches cannot be confined!