In a couple of days my wife and I drive to Miami to board a cruise ship for a Caribbean cruise.
Such excursions are a mixture of both pleasure and stress as they push me to the limit of my ability to control my incontinence. The significantly increased level of activity and close social situations, while fun, greatly increase my risk of having a spectacular failure.
My wife and I have traveled and cruised extensively, but, as I become older and my symptoms become more severe, it becomes more of a challenge. I worry about when I will cross the proverbial "bridge too far."
The sheer number and volume of diapers I must take is daunting - a suitcase and a duffle bag full of nothing but diapers for use once aboard the ship, plus another for use during the car travel portion. As I always fear running out of diapers, I usually wind up taking too many. Of course there also must be rash creams, disposal bags, etc., all of which take up space. Originally I had hoped to use an external catheter at night to reduce the number of diapers required, but have had to drop that idea as it is too difficult to get the condom off in the morning (I would have put it on only about 7 hours earlier and the adhesive still would be too strong). So, for nights I will be double diapering, again, requiring more diapers!
Alas, I will use up the remainder of my limited supply of precious plastic-backed Tena Slip Maxi diapers on the cruise.
That diaper is so flexible that I can wear it with dress trousers to dinner or under a pair of water activity shorts during the day and no one can tell a thing. I also am taking some Seni Quatro along for their breathability in the warm climate, plus my usual Dry 24/7s to wear with jeans.
Then there are the intermittent catheters. Small, but also taking up space.
As I use daily morning preventive enemas to control my bowel incontinence, there also is that equipment, soap, lubricants, etc. As I cannot carry enough absorbent pads to take my enemas on the floor of the bathroom, I will need to use the tub to catch any leaks.
I do have a few absorbent pads to place under the sheet for some extra bed protection in addition to asking the maid for mattress protection.
All of this fuss about bedwetting makes me really appreciate how effective my cloth diapers have been at night. Too bad it is impractical to use them when traveling.
It is fortunate that we are driving to Miami this trip as airline travel would not be practical with all of the suitcases full of incontinence supplies. I have learned that many airlines do not consider diapers to be medical supplies and so would have had to pay extra for each bag.
Mornings on a cruise ship when there is a port visit and shore excursions are very hectic as I have to get up extremely early to fit my morning procedures in before debarking. The enemas work very effectively for their intended purpose so I will not be worried about having a fecal accident later in the day. However, after an enema it is wise to allow some time for drainage before setting forth.
I am sure to have stories to tell upon our return, hopefully good ones.
Sorry for the TMI, but some of this may be helpful to someone else who reads it months from now.
--John
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