Having traveled a lot here and abroad, I brace myself for any mishap (minor to major) along the way. I have had my share of “travel woes”: 1) A psychiatric patient on board a plane to Manila became wild while we were up in the clouds; 2) My flight home was cancelled three times because of bad weather that I opted to take the land trip after the third postponement because my airplane phobia was starting to set in; 3) My daughter and I missed our flight home from Manila so we had to rebook the next day; 4) On my last return trip, the air conditioning of the plane did not work. On our way home yesterday, I had to use a fan for the first time as I felt like I was inside a furnace; 5) Earlier, I complained to the driver who drove us on the tarmac to the plane that the bus was hot. He offered an apology that the air conditioning unit malfunctioned; 6) The day before, I had an upset stomach at the mall. I took a bowl of soup and sipped soda for lunch. Then I ate some noodles with Sprite, and drank a bottle of freshly-squeezed juice to hydrate myself further. I had to skip my dose of Metformin at noon (being a diabetic) because of my reduced food intake.
Travellers must avoid getting sick or hospitalized while traveling. That is why we should take extra precautions. For people with allergies like me (I’m allergic to shrimps and crabs), we have to be careful with the food we eat along the way.
I have experienced my allergies flaring up when I was in Thailand with my family years ago. Although I took my medicines with me, I had to consult a doctor recommended by the hotel personnel because I was afraid the symptoms might worsen while inflight. I was given a low dose steroid tablet on top of the antihistamine that I was taking. My anxiety was still heightened because I had a hypertensive episode during that flight. I did not feel well during the flight so I informed a member of the flight crew. Two doctors responded to the “call for help” and one of them examined and reassured me I would be alright. Whew… that experience was scary, but I thank God, I survived.
Travel woes present themselves in many ways and in times when we least expect them. Here are some tips from a nurse like me:
1) Listen to your body. Our body warns us if something is about to go wrong.
2) Be a well-equipped traveler. Aside from the basics, bring along medicines (prescription, maintenance, for motion sickness, fever, allergies, antibiotics, hand sanitizers, band-aid, tea bags, biscuits).
3 )Hydrate well. Drink water and other fluids while traveling.
4) Travel light. Always assume you will have to carry your own luggage.
5) Carry a body/sling bag. This is most accessible for your money, eyeglasses, and other valuables like duplicates of your documents. You can also keep photo images of them in your cellphone.
6) Keep your devices (mobile phones, iPads, etc) and bags in sight; thieves are faster than you think and could grab your bag from under your seat.
7) Write a letter to the authorities about their services, good or bad.
8) Pray. Carry a Bible (or have the Bible app on your phone).
Let’s enjoy traveling while we can, embrace the pluses and minuses that come with it, and learn to adjust quick.
Let’s travel pa more!
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Author’s email: nenita.tayko@foundationU.com
