Ever since I got my K pouch, everyone around me keeps telling me I can never travel again because of diet restriction, infection and blockages, but I just don't believe them! It's a little scary when I've gotten a blockage, I have thought about it, because I love to travel. One of my usual countries is El Salvador (my hubby is from there, have lots of family there still). I've been there five times over the past 10 years with my old J pouch, and never got sick. They have everything we have, all the usual fast food chains, plus a few really fantastic local diners. I love going there, incredible beauty, tropical weather, miles of coast line with palm trees. BUT, if I ever did get sick, I'd be screwed. Their Heath care is terrible, and costly. Before, I was constantly on Cipro and Flagyl, so I could handle anything, and never had a blockage, no so anymore. I've had two blockages in two months. If it happened there, I'd have to instruct the staff what to do, problem is, they simply don't have the equipment or experience. Here it's simple, just take me to the fluro suite, find the blockage and intibate it until its clear, there, not as easy. Fluro x-ray doesn't exsist there, I'd have to fly home for treatment, and when your intestine is blocked, every second counts. Unfortunately it's a 6 hour flight, so what to do? I refuse to let my K pouch stop me from going there, but part of me is afraid in case I do get sick, what do you think? I'm suppose to go there again this coming Easter (amazing sight to behold, the entire country celebrates) and I really want to go. I have two god children, many sister in laws, cousins, uncles and aunts to visit (all part of Freddy's family, but I've grown to love them over the years). I know many of you travel, have you ever encountered problems, and if so, how did you handle it? One thing about us Canadians?, we love to travel, considering its cold and wet for half the year, we have to go south to save our sanity! I'm no exception to that rule, I've never been further then Central America, only all across Canada and the USA. I want to go to Brazil, Argentina, plus a few others, please tell me it's possible with a K Pouch! I've already written a description of what it is and how to treat it, in English and Spanish (actually, Freddy translated it for me, my Spanish is terrible!) which I will carry in my wallett when I travel, just in case. Hell, most doctors here in Toronto don't know what a K pouch is, I feel like I belong to an endangered species! Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Eric
