IF ONLY THEY’D TOLD ME. Nobody thought to tell me, when I had my ostomy surgery back in 1964, that staying hydrated was important. In fact, hydrated wasn’t even what they called it back then. It was just “drinking water.” Anyway, over the next few decades, my kidney function took a battering. Now, of course, I have a nephrologist monitoring my diminished kidney function, and I’ve stabilized, but at a much reduced function. So I drink four 23.7 oz bottles of water per day now, and that seems to keep me going although, every once in a while, I end up in a hospital getting an IV boost due to dehydration. I have a Culligan water filtration system built in under my kitchen sink to make sure that what I’m drinking from the Florida Aquifer is nicely filtered (trust your municipal government at your own peril). My two hard-and-fast rules for leaving the house are (1) pee before you leave, and (2) bring your water bottle. Also, be thankful that button flies went out of style a long time ago.

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Hollister
Ostomy surgery is stressful both for the patient and the caregiver, and creates a major life change for both people in a relationship.
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.
Learn how to care for your loved one, while still taking care of yourself.