Nutrition, Hydration, and Elimination (yours) while on the road...

[hoolahan]

What do you all pack to take on the road and how? I have tried freeing water bottles, but I forget to put them in freezer the day before, or forget to take them with me. I hestitate to accept offers at pt's houses, I'm not ther for a tea party ya know, even tho its very nice that people offer. But I then worry about having to go wee wee wee all the way home too.

Do you keep a cooler, what stays well in a car that is 120 degrees in the shade?? I need something fast, since I am in such a rush in the am, and I can't wake up any earlier than I do already!

As far as elim, I do have some homes and buildings that have nice BR's, but the idea of having to piddle on a raised toilet seat, some covered with yukky stuff, well, I can't do it, think I'd rather use a depends!

How do you guys keep hydrated and noursihed, what is your routine?

Thanks for the ideas.

[LoisJean]

On nice days I pee in the woods; sometimes I use Winifred's drive way because it's really long and winding and private...this is very good in the wintertime when the snow in the woods is higher than my a$$. I have considered a self cath set-up but I think placement may be tricky since my car is quite small and I can still recall those thrilling days of yesteryear when trying to negotiate a comfortable position in a small back seat was near impossible.

[Sleepyeyes]

Originally posted by Brita01

Chased by a herd of sheep? :chuckle

Well, sheep aren't the brightest bulbs in the package ya know....

{psssst: it's a "flock"}

[Jay-Jay, RN]

Gotta confess...I'm terminally disorganized, especially when half-awake in the am. Have been known to make myself a lunch, and leave it sitting on the counter or at the front door!

So, it's usually fast food. Tim Horton's Donuts does a decent 6" sub with tuna or turkey, for the calorie-counters, and so does Subway. Subway also does half-decent fresh salads and soup. I try to avoid McD's, but I do love their milkshakes.

In summer, I have several bottles of water rolling around the floor of the car. Sometimes I remember to freeze one for the next day, sometimes not. If I really want a cold drink, I buy a fresh bottle. One of my pt's knows I like bottled water, and usually offers me a cold one out of the fridge!

As for bathroom breaks....I try to pick houses that I know are clean. Often, I'll use a fast food restaurant, and I know the ones that have nice rest rooms, and won't yell at me if I don't buy anything. I also keep packaged towlettes in my glove box. Drugstores up here are also selling small bottles of hand sanitizer, and the nurses are BIG customers!! Some nurses even recommend the patients buy them, esp. if they are immunosuppressed.

Oh yeah. Went for a fitness test, where they use an electrical gadget to measure body fat. It also shows hydration status. Guess what? I was dehydrated! (And this was AFTER supper, too!)

Body fat...um, no, I'm not telling. I'm dieting, but I'm not telling! :-D