Summer is one of my favorite seasons. Sunshine, pool days, ice cream trips- it is truly a season of adventure. But summer also brings the risk of dehydration, especially for someone living without a colon. Right now you are probably wondering, “how do you stay hydrated, let alone live, without a colon?” I am living with a permanent ileostomy, which is where part of the small intestine is brought to the abdominal wall to allow waste to exit the body. Having an ileostomy does not stop me from living my life to the fullest, but because much of the absorption of water and other vital nutrients occurs in the small and large intestines (colon) and without one of those, I struggle to stay hydrated; more so than someone with a colon. I try not to let the fear of dehydration stop me from living my summer to the fullest, though, and have found ways to battle dehydration head on and enjoy myself at the same time.
This summer has already proven itself to be a wonderful summer full of adventure and also the first one in several years that I have had the opportunity to enjoy living healthy after 2 years of battling Inflammatory Bowel Disease and four major surgeries. Living in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, outdoor opportunities are unlimited and I have already hiked, kayaked, enjoyed a day at the pool, swam in the river, and more this summer. It can be a challenge to keep up with hydration when you are busy enjoying yourself, so I have found a few ways to keep myself out of the infusion center for fluids quite as often:
1) Hydrate the night before. The afternoon and evening are the times when I am most likely to neglect drinking but are just as important as the morning. If I know I have a long day at work or a fun day out on the lake planned, I will hydrate as much as possible the night before so that I do not have to make up as much ground the morning of.
2) Set an alarm or use an app to track your fluid intake. As the day goes on, it can be a challenge to remember just how much you have drank earlier in the day and can leave you much further behind on hydration than you realize! A couple of my favorite ways to remind myself to drink are by setting an alarm on my phone for every hour with a hydration goal and/ or downloading an app that I can simply update every time I drink a cup of water. Not into the alarms or apps? If your water bottle does not already have it, mark your water bottle by ounces or mL to give you a visual way to track your progress.
3) Carry a water bottle with you everywhere. It does not matter what kind of hydration source (see #4 for my favorite) that you have in your water bottle as long as you take it everywhere with you! Take it to work, the grocery store, on your walk, by your nightstand before bed; where ever you go, your water bottle should follow! This can be a tough habit to get the hang of, but it truly helps keep you on track hydration-wise throughout the day. I have gotten into such a habit of carrying my water bottle with me that I never leave the house without it now.
4) Utilize an oral electrolyte rehydration source. Drinking water is amazing for your body, but sometimes it is just not enough! As someone with a chronic illness and one less major organ, water sometimes goes right through me without doing much to give me the electrolytes that I need for energy. Early in my diagnosis, I came across DripDrop Oral Electrolyte Rehydration Powder and it has been a staple for me ever since, keeping me much more hydrated and needing less visits to the infusion center for fluids. DripDrop ORS is unique because it is a medical grade rehydration powder with 3x the electrolytes and half the sugar of sports drinks and it has a wonderful taste that makes hydrating easier. DripDrop ORS has been paramount in my journey with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and helping me to battle one of the most challenging and dangerous side effects: dehydration.
(DripDrop)
Living with a chronic illness and an ileostomy can be really challenging at times, making the good days something that I never take for granted. This summer has been a wonderful mix of work, rest, and adventure, all while proving to myself that I am stronger than I have been since my diagnosis. I encourage anyone going through a challenging time in their life, whatever it may be, to keep pushing and remember to stop and enjoy the view along the way. Sometimes the hurdles that we face can seem as if they disconnect us from the world that is ever-changing around us. Stop and admire the sunset. If you are feeling good, go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air. Sit in the grass and feel the breeze on your skin.
Life is not always easy, but the light always finds a way. Adventure on!