A day in the life of a K-poucher

Sooooo I was looking back through some of my old posts and doing some thinking about what made me decide to get a k-pouch and all the research I did. I read tons and tons of forum posts and blogs and other such things. They were pretty helpful and instrumental in me making my decision because I really felt like I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting in to. And truly, I did because nothing that has happened since has really been a surprise, which is a good thing.

I thought I would give a day by day record of what I'm eating, how often I'm "pouching" (and by that I mean emptying my pouch) how long it takes me, what the output is like etc. That way, if there is anyone else out there wondering what the heck this catheter-crazy life is like has a better idea. So word of warning: I will be talking about poop. If that turns you off, better stop reading. But if you, like me and any other j-poucher or ileo out there has no problem with poop-talk then you're ok ;)

I generally empty 4 times a day unless I have a lot of gas or something doesn't agree with me. And no urgency. Often I'll empty proactively if I know I'll be away from home for several hours. Oh, and right now, I don't work, I'm a full-time student

day 1

Breakfast: coffee at 6a and egg around 7:30a

pro-active pouch before leaving for 9am class. Right now I don't feel the need to, but I may in an hour or so, best get it done so I'm not need during class. Last night's dinner was Quinoa w/ black beans, corn and tomatoes. I did chew it really well so output is good and no need to irrigate. Done in 5 min.

I think its funny how I get different layers depending upon what/when I've eaten. Can totally distinguish between dinner and coffee both exiting at the same time.

Lunch: Grapefruit 12noon, chix noodle soup (from a box) yogurt and cottage cheese. 1pm

More Coffee. 2pm

Pouch feels full and totally ready to empty before going back to class around 2pm. Pretty watery with lots of grapefruit bits but no clogs. I irrigate twice just to try and clean 'em out. 5 mins.

Since its so watery I need to be sure to drink plenty of water this afternoon.

Dinner: chili 6:15pm

pouch about 1 hour after dinner - feeling pretty full: consistency pretty average and doesn't need much coaxing to get out. about 5 mins

pouch before bed starting to feel full again. a little thicker and had to work the cath a little bit to get it to move (soooo slooooow) and by 'work the cath' I mean squeezing it produces a little suction and moving it in and out for pockets of air etc. Irrigated a few times to get that 'empty' feeling. Took about 7-9 minutes tonight.

Early day tomorrow - I have clinical so up at 5:15am

day 2

Breakfast: 5:45a Coffee and oatmeal

Pouching: sludgy - must be due to beans in chili and its moving crazy slow so working the cath and irrigating a few times. Why is it always when I'm in a hurry this takes longer than I want? 8-9 minutes

Lunch: 11a applesauce, cottage cheese and yogurt

I intentionality eat small lunches on my clinical day because I don't wanna have to empty til I get home.

Home and Pouch at 3pm - little gassy and feeling pretty ready to empty by the time I get home. output is good, in and out in 5 min.

Dinner 5pm Kung Pao Chicken with rice (yum!)

Pouching at 6pm and feeling full: pretty liquidy output o happy day. in and out in 5 no irrigation.

Pouch b/f bed 10pm: pretty liquidy and no problems but I irrigate once or twice b/c I like to feel empty when I go to bed.

day 3 (hooray for saturday)

Breakfast: 9a coffee (of course) oatmeal, pumpkin

Pouching at about 10:45a and feeling full. Not happy. All that rice and veggies coming back to haunt me. I really did chew it well but its just like a traffic jam. Cars fit fine until there's too many of them :( Irrigate, irrigate, irrigate. bleh. 10 minutes or so. I suffer for my stir-fry.

Lunch: 12noon spagetti squash and leftover quinoa w/ black beans, corn and turkey sausage.

pouching at 3pm. output slightly thick and veggie traffic jam but no clogs. had to irrigate a few times 8-9 minutes.

going to my niece's first birthday party tonight.

Dinner: 6pm pizza and steamed broccoli and cauliflower

Came home around 7:15 and couldnt' wait to empty my pouch - feeling so full and bloated. Thankfully cath in ok and stuff out ok 5 mins tops and I'm feeling a lot better.

Empty around 11pm right b/f bed. Lots of broccoli bits but nothing to cause a fuss because broccoli is small :)

day 4

breakfast: 9a coffee and cream of wheat

Pouching b/f leaving for church 10:15

Lunch: 1 pm Chipotle burrito bowl. (beef, beans, rice)

pouching around 2:15 and pouch feeling pretty full. Liquidy and no real need to irrigate in and out in 5 hooray

Dinner: 7:15pm homemade buffalo chicken pizza (yes, I know, Ihad pizza yesterday. But this is SO much better than take-out!) and a Sunday night tradition :)

Pouching around 8:30. Feeling full and not yet uncomfortable and since I'll empty again b/f bed might as well go ahead a get it done. A bit sludgy because of the black beans at lunch had to irrigate twice but otherwise OK. no clogs so I chewed well :) about 7 mins.

Pouching at 10:30 output good irrigated once for that "fresh pouch" feeling out in 5.

to be continued....