Packing for a vacation is always an involved process. You have to consider what the weather will be like, and what activities you have planned: fancy dinner or no fancy dinner? Then there is the space issue. Can you fit all of your shoes in just one piece of luggage?
With chronic illness, there are a host of additional considerations.
We’re getting ready to pack for vacation, and I’ve forgotten important things enough (including all of my meds that Phillip had to overnight to me) that I finally decided to make a list of what needs to be lugged along to manage delicate health.
- Medications and supplements: the daily ones and the ones you take if things flair up. I’ve forgotten my emergency pain killers way too often while on vacation. When my back is in spasm this becomes a huge issue. Be sure to bring your pill sorters and the prescription bottles the meds come in. You don’t want to get stopped at security without proof that all the suspicious pills you’ve got are actually prescribed for you. I put everything in a large zip lock baggie to be sure that pills don’t end up all over the bottom of my carry on. It is important to always carry meds onto the plane with you just in case your checked baggage gets lost.
- List of medications: keep a list of all your meds with dosages and timing. Just in case something happens, this could prove handy.
- Snacks: if you are on a special diet or if you have meds that need to be taken with food, a granola bar, small package of crackers, apples, instant oatmeal, etc… can become essential.
- Good walking shoes: absolutely necessary. With illness, things (backs, feet, hips, …) get sore quickly.
- Stuff to keep you warm: sometimes circulation can be impacted by illness making it easier to become cold quickly. Planes are especially chilly. Sweaters, jackets, thick socks and maybe even a small throw blanket can insure you stay warm.
- Water: if you are traveling by plane you’ll have to purchase this once you are through security, but having water on hand while traveling is a must.
- Medical paraphernalia: if there are certain medical procedures you do on your own you’ll need the proper supplies and equipment.
- Important phone numbers: keep numbers of your emergency contact, doctor and any specialists on hand. I’ve ended up out of town at an urgent care clinic needing to talk to my kidney specialists and trying to remember the name of their practice.
- Hand sanitizer: people with chronic illness sometimes have a compromised immune system which makes it especially important to avoid common travel bugs like the flu. Hand sanitizer can erase any nasties you picked up in taxis, subways, planes, rental cars, and, ewe, the hotel remote control.
- Noise cancelling headphones: I find myself increasingly sensitive to noise. Vacations are for relaxation. Having a good set of headphones can create a personal sanctuary in any noisy situation, couple that with your favorite playlist, a good view and you’re set.
Be sure to take my suggestions above a make a list specific to your illness. I would do this a few days ahead of time because you know the moment will come when you think, “oh, I’m so glad I remembered that I needed ________!” Those thoughts take a few days to ruminate before they pop into your mind.
Anything I’ve forgotten?