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Traveling with an Indiana Pouch
I had Indiana Pouch surgery in March. My wife and I are going on a cruise in October. I’m concerned about carrying the saline and alcohol on the ship. I make my own saline with distilled water. Does anyone have experience with this.
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5 Replies
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Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions. I will come back to everyone when I find out how it’s all going to work.
I go to see my Dr next week and get her thoughts. I’m havig some problems catheterizing So she may suggest we cancel the trip. -
Hi,
Welcome to our community but I am sorry you have to be here. I have been thinking about your post since you posted it. I travel quite a bit but I have never taken my diversion on a cruise, so on that I can only give my thoughts. First as you already know flying with normal saline in you carry on does not work. I have always put it in checked baggage but only a couple of bottles. I like yourself make my own but of things such as flying I get a prescription and buy the labeled sealed bottles as that is important they probably would have a problem with an unlabeled bottle of liquid. And form what I am told they screen luggage coming on the cruse ship. So you need to make a few phone calls. One to your airline to find out what they way about liquids you need for medical treatment, they cruise line for the same question and your doctor to ask if you can use bottled water or not and for a prescription and possibly a letter stating why you need the saline. As for the alcohol I perchance the small bottles of hand sanitizer and throw them into my luggage, be careful to chose the ones that are alcohol only and not other ingredients. When I travel I use disposable catheters. I always keep in my pocket if I fly a regular rubbles catheter when I fly in case I am separated from my luggage. And if I can I mail my supples to my final destination if I am going for a few weeks.
Those are just my thoughts will you let us know what you find out please it could help others that face the same question? Enjoy your cruse!
Cynthia Kinsella
T2 g3 CIS 8/04
Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
BCG 9/05-1-06
RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
Left Nephrectomy 1/09
President American Bladder Cancer Society -
Just curious, have you ever had a problem cathing? At first it was no problem, now I have to sit and at times I have to lay down in order to get the catheter in.
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I’ve had an Indiana Pouch for over 4 years now, and travel a lot. I use pre-lubricated catheters when traveling, (in conjunction with antiseptic wipes if washing of hands is not possible) and use regular bottled water when irrigating. The catheters travel with me in hand luggage – I’ve found that it’s very difficult, but not impossible, to source them in foreign countries when checked baggage got lost. The irrigation approach is probably not advised by all doctors, but I’ve found that it works for me.
Alistair (Amanda’s husband)
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Welcome!! I moved your post here to Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer where more people with experience like your will see it!!!
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
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