Thursday, November 15, 2012

DAY 15 - WEGO Health's National Blog Post Month

DAY 15 - Write what it's like for someone to travel with your condition.

When I think of this question I become verklempt with emotion. Let alone when I'm actually forced to actually pack. It makes me want to stay home. But here we go. What goes through my mind when packing to travel....

• Before I can even think of going I need to consider my Remicade schedule. If the trip is a long one will it be on a Remicade day/week? If so, no go. Will I need to take an airplane within one week after getting Remicade? If yes, then no. It's not worth the risk of getting stuck in a metal tube with meningitis, malaria or measles just waiting to infect my body when my system is on reboot.

• Am I already sick and am I leaving the country? If both are yes then I can't go. I just can't risk getting sicker in a different country where they a)Don't know or have access to my medical records, b)May have less than appropriate medical facilities capable of taking care of me if something is wrong or c)Not have a free healthcare system. I can't afford a $40,000 hospital bill.

•If everything appears to be OK with these things then I move onto the actual logistics of the trip. How am I traveling? Car? Train? Airplane? Boat? Hovercraft? Believe me, it matters. Do I need to go to the doctors and get any prescriptions refilled or any new ones made? Any "just in case" prescriptions? Any vaccinations?

•Packing for an airplane. I need to put all of my meds in my carry on so I know I have them in case of luggage delay or missing luggage. I need to check the airline's regulations for liquids, pills and powders as I have meds in all of these forms and getting through security is a potential nightmare. Also, I bring three times the amount of meds I'm going to need. You never know when a storm will blow in and you will be stranded.

•Packing for the car. All of the above rules apply except I can pack my meds in my suitcase. Less chance of losing your luggage when it's sitting in the backseat or trunk.

•The food at the destination. What will I be eating there? Will it upset my stomach? Should I bring my own food? Or at least my own snacks? All things to consider....

This is just what I can think of off the top of my head. It kind of makes me want to reconsider the trip me and my friend are going to take in April.

Naw....