Diabetic

Traveling Tips

        This is a super short chapter based on a request by larri_bear, so here you go! Also, just found a cool chart that tells me where you guys are all from (just general countries, so don't worry, I don't have your addresses) and I was surprised to see how spread out you guys are from! Saudi Arabia, Estonia, South Africa, you guys are so cool. Anyways....

        So travelling is super fun, but also kind of bothersome. It just adds another (actually quite a bit) to your checklist. Basically that's the number one thing, if you forget everything else: have a checklist! This can be added to your normal checklist: clothes, insulin, toothbrush, site changes, hair ties, strips. Or, you can have a separate, diabetic only checklist.

        The problem with a separate checklist is that it's just another thing to remember. And if you guys are anything like me, you don't want to have another opportunity to forget something. Seriously. I have forgotten so much. So many things. Pajamas. Toothbrushes, the normal and the back-up. Shoes... shoes! Basically, don't allow yourself to forget anything. The only time you really need a separate medicine checklist is if you are travelling with a group of non-diabetics who are following the same packing list. How about, if you have a separate list, make that list a bullet on the primary list. 

        Step 2: Have back-ups for your back-ups. Travelling is so much fun! And even if you really like order and structure (like I do), it's a great time to relax and be spontaneous. Noting this, pack to let yourself be crazy. Going zip-lining and tore out your site? Don't worry, have five more! Went a little overboard on the food and need a re-fill? I brought two extra closed bottles. It's super hot because... I don't know, it's hotter here than where I live? It's fine, I brought ice packs for my pump.

        Basically, expect the unexpected and be prepared for whatever. You always pack extra socks and underwear than what you need, so do the same with your supplies. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared.

        Which brings us to our third point, you never know when you'll need a prescription. There have been a few times where I needed a prescription, because as I have learned.... glass is breakable. Shocker, right?

        Story! Over the summer, my mom, her sister, her daughter (so my aunt and cousin), and I went to a popular theme park here in Texas. They always check bags to make sure there's nothing weird in their parks. So we had our insulin bag open, ready. But my mom wanted to take it one step further and have the insulin itself in hand. Well, she knocked it out of the bag and onto the hard pavement, letting glass shards fly.

        Thankfully, I had my prescription on hand, and after an amazing day in the park (there were very short lines, surprising since it was a Saturday in the middle of summer), we found a Walgreen's and got the prescription filled.

        I didn't even begin to think about carrying around that slip of paper until this year. And it's so important, even if you never end up using it. Because you never really need it until you really need it. Basically, time of emergencies. Lost bag, left in the sun, dropped on theme park pavement, whatever may come, be ready.

        Which brings us to a very important number 4. Hold your pump as close as your bag. Pickpockets exist all over the world, filling major cities everywhere. And even if pumps aren't that big of a deal in your hometown, they're really sought after in Europe.

        I'm not an expert on Europe, but I know enough to hide my pump in the subway. Apparently there's a big black market over there, something I had no idea about until it happened to a family friend. He was studying abroad, either France or Germany, and looked down to find no pump attached to his tube. A pick-pocketer had cut the tube with scissors and took the pump off his hip. So it wasn't something random, like they thought it was a phone (which happens quite often), they knew that it was a pump and that the tube was attached.

        But don't think this only happens in Europe. You need to be safe wherever you are travelling. You know, stranger danger and stuff. If you have breasts, the bra is a well known place to tuck it away. Or, instead of having the pump facing outwards, put it on the other side of your waistband, having it flat against your hip. That way, it's harder for them to grab it, and easier for you to feel it if they do try. Just keep your devices close guys, it sucks to replace them.

        Finally, there is the 5th thing to remember: Let yourself rely on your travel mates. Make sure they know what's going on, and how to react in case of emergency. I have found that travelling is a great way to come closer to someone, whether it's friends or family.

     During spring break my junior year (2014), my marching band had the super amazing opportunity to go to Disney World in Florida. It was really the start of my friend group, being the first (and definitely not last) adventure we all went on together. This was, of course, after I put crackers and emergency contact phone numbers on all of them. I never needed any emergency procedures, the closest we got to that was passing around a box (family size) of Cheeze-its when I was low in line for that Toy Story shooting game (totally worth it, and I totally won).

        Basically, don't let your diabetes get in the way of experiencing everything out there in the world. Just make sure you're safe while experiencing it! Diabetes doesn't have vacation days, but that doesn't mean you don't. Have fun! Be spontaneous! Jump off of things, only if it's regulated and mostly safe! Enjoy life, there's so much out there.