Travel for Newbies?

 Hi all.... Normally we spend much of the summer visiting relatives but this year, because of my surgery, I put everything on hold so I would be able to stay home and learn my new eating routine until I felt ready.  Now my daughter is harassing me because she wants to visit her grandparents and cousins in Michigan (a 12 hour trip by car). She's only 11 but she's persuasive and persistent...so I'm feeling like I should at least consider.  It would be to my mom's and she and my dad are VERY supportive.  I feel fine but I haven't even started regular food yet!  Isn't it toooo soon to travel?  I would be around 6 1/2 weeks out.  What should I do???  
Eileen

Guess it first would depend on what your Dr says.  Are you healed up, etc.  I wouldn't think food should be an issue.  You can always find food, etc. for the stage you're in.  I was actually driving by day 5-6 as I was SOOOO bored sitting around the house.  Only a few blocks to the grocery store though, ;) .  You don't say how many more weeks until your trip but I'm assuming another month or so.  Either way, that is a long trip in anyone's book.  It may be doable depending on your energy levels.  Just don't think you would want to do much, if any, driving.  Again, talk it over with your Dr.

If your surgeon okays you for a long trip now then PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING would be in order. Buy a good small cooler for the car - keep plenty of bottled water in it. Yogurt would be good, as well as cottage cheese (if you can have that) - not sure what you can have at this point.

Do you like the protein powders? You can mix them in water bottles to make sure you're getting enough protein. On a trip like this I would think it is essential to track and log your protein to make sure you're getting as close to your goals as possible - that is key in the beginning stages for healing, recover, etc.

Also sounds like you'll be in the car a long time - make frequent stops at rest stops to get out and walk.

I'm sure it's doable but you have to really plan at this stage for what you can eat, how much, and how often. My husband just took a 2 day trip to Florida - two down and two back - I packed a cooler with bottled water, cheese sticks and some other snacks on the side - tried to avoid the drive-thru's as much as possible - when we stopped I scouted out restaurants that offered decent menus and take-out. But I am over 2 years out so it was definitely easier for me at this stage of the game

Good luck!

Hi Eileen,

I traveled for a week on a business trip when I was 8 weeks out, and in reality would have had no problem traveling earlier than that.  The key is PLANNING.

You can pack your magic bullet, and use snack-size ziploc bags for individually portioned packs of protein powder.  Milk and ice are readily available at convenience stores, coffee shops, or pretty much anywhere - there you have your protein shakes.  You can pack individually portioned sizes of other non-perishable foods, as well, then use a microwave (convenience stores, rest areas) or ho****er (coffee shops, convenience stores) to prepare them - everything from soup to mashed potatoes... you can make poached eggs in the microwave, too!  

At that point, you'll have a wide variety of foods that you can eat (you'll be on soft foods, if I recall?) and it's a matter of either mashing or blending them into small, soft bits - which your trust magic bullet can do easily.  You can look for broiled fish on the menu in restaurants (it's VERY soft - just take little bites - salmon, tilapia, etc. are great at that stage) and just ask for it to be broiled plain (no butter or sauce) with herbs and squeeze a lemon wedge on top.

In other words - it's very do-able if you want to do it.  And at that point, you shoudl have the stamina to do it, as well.

My only caution (and something that took me by surprise) was how powerful a snack-trigger a long car ride was for me.  Turns out that in the old days before surgery I used to graze for pretty much an entire trip - on stuff that I woudl NEVER eat outside of that environment.  Don't let yourself fall into that trap, even with "legal" food - schedule stops for yourself at your appropriate eating intervals, and eat a "proper" snack/meal during the stop.  It will help you stay on routine.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Karen

Karen, I agree that grazing in the car has been a hard habit to break. I realize now that I have eaten my way across the PA turnpike many, many times...en route to Michigan in fact, among other places!

This last trip, I doubled up on my fluids, and stuck to my normal snack/eating schedule. I just drank Powerade across 3 states instead of eating as much. Seemed to work!

At 3 weeks post surgery I went on a missions trip to Louisiana!  Crazy?  Yup.  But I did it anyway.  I took along protein powder and bought skim milk there.  I was able to eat packaged instant grits and cheese.  One night we went out to dinner and I ate a shrimp!  I chewed like a maniac.  LOL.  I was also able to eat soups, and I took along sugar-free jello and V8 juice.  It does take some planning, being creative, and hanging on tight when everyone around you is eating barbeque.  It is definitely possible, though, and you should go and have a great time!!!
 

Call me the pooper!   I totally agree that this is do-able is you Plan and Pack, but I want you to THINK about why you are doing this.    Is it to give in to your daughter because she's already bored with summer??    (I rent one so I know how they can be at that age.)  If so, no time like the present to realize this is about YOU.  You are the adult, she is the child.   If you don't feel up to this yet mentally, don't do it.  Realize that a child is going to whine you through several fast food drive-throughs on a 12-hour trip once you hit the road.   That means trigger foods and head hunger for you.   You can go online, check out some places and see what you can have...Minute Maid Light Lemonade at McD's and Wendy's.  Decafs and unsweetened ice teas at DunkyDs.   Personally, after surgery I didn't go to a FF rest. for 18mos., no excuses, the people in my car could starve or walk.   Then I learned what I could have and where.   (I now consider that a big mistake as it led to things.)  Just sayin...

If your energy level is up to it, AND you are willing to do all the planning and deal with all the possible mental "head hunger" and "old habits" that will creep into your mind, then I say definately go for it.

Do make sure, though, that you DO take frequent travel breaks and get up and walk around.  I would suggest at LEAST every 2 hours if not more for a good 5 or 10 mins. You are still healing and definately need to still watch for possible blood clots etc.

Good luck!

 Thanks for all your excellent advice!!  I think Jackie J hit the nail on the head--I feel like I'm being coerced into this trip.  I want to go when I decide to go--not when my daughter decides!!  Ok, I might decide to go now that I have all your wisdom to help me out...but you're right--it's my decision--not hers!!  I'll keep thinking about it for now.  BTW--I will be doing all the driving with two kids (8 and 11), one dog, and one guinea pig.  Luckily we carry our own food since going to a restaurant would mean leaving the animals alone in the car and it's toooo hot.  We stay over night half way there at a pet friendly hotel with a pool. My husband sometimes joins us for a long weekend--but he flies!!

It sounds like you are taking it seriously, which is an AWESOME thing...really think about it...and then prepare appropriately for whatever decision you make (packing food and having a game plan if you DO go, and getting ready to listen to your 11 y/o inevitable screaming if you don't go, lol)