Most people look forward to traveling over the holidays, but when you have a chronic illness, travel involves way more than just jumping on an airplane.
My family will be traveling to Bethesda this weekend for Memorial Day in order to celebrate my cousin’s bat mitzvah.
We are all very excited for the opportunity to spend time with our family and loved ones, but to be honest the whole idea of traveling can be overwhelming for me.
Don’t get me wrong. I love arriving at new destinations and exploring the sites with my family. It is the preparation for traveling that drags me down. There is so much to consider when you have cystic fibrosis and are traveling.
1. You need to pack all your meds and make sure you don’t forget any or that you will have enough for the entire duration of your trip and be prepared to bring a few extra days in case you get stranded for any reason.
2. I have to prep my vest for the journey. I have a portable and a regular Hill Rom vest. While the portable is easier, I’ve been doing the Hill Rom 105 vest for so long that it’s kind of like my security blanket. I can’t take both on a plane.
3. I have the honor of lugging around my heavy equipment through the airport and get the extra screening by the TSA because of all my meds and electronics.
4. When on the airplane, I have to wear a mask to protect myself from all the fun germs and illnesses people bring on board. I always feel like people are looking at me like I am contagious. It’s you, not me!
5. Upon arrival, instead of taking a nap or getting out to explore, I have to locate the outlets in the hotel room, make sure the water in the sink is clean (so I can clean my nebulizers especially with international trips).
6. If it is an international trip, I have to do my research and plan ahead to make sure the wattage works for my equipment.
7. I also need to figure out a space in the hotel room that is comfortable to sit and take my meds and do my treatments.
Despite all the extra work that goes into traveling, I am willing to put in the extra work. CF is not an excuse to miss out on spending time with my wife and kids and see the world. I also know that I am lucky to have the opportunity to travel and experience things people with and without CF might not ever have the opportunity to do. Like I said, once I’m at the destination and settled, I love it. It’s just packing and getting there which is the tough part of the adventure.
I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and enjoy time with family and friends and be grateful for all of our military that has kept us safe from harm.
Remember, life is what you make of it!