traveling

[P.Trish]

planning on driving 5 hrs ea wy to visit grandkids (actually, I would be a passenger).  It is my first 'long' trip since dx. We would be there for 2 days.  I really want to see them, but I am stressed about the whole thing. My thoughts of preparation are mentally paraylizing me.  Any experiences taking long car trips?

[Joe S.]

With this disease I drove from Minneapolis,MN to Orange Grove, CA, then up to Campbell River, BC. Several 12 hour days of driving. We spent over a week with our 3 grandsons. I drove the whole trip home.

With potty stops every hour or so you will do fine.

[Jellyb]

Hi tbere,
Bring sunglasses and lots of extra eyedrops. I had to go on a five hour road trip last spring and had not anticipated the need for extra moisture for my eyes. I think it was the combination of the glare and the heat/ defrost in tbe car. Bring water to sip and get out and stretch when you can so your muscles dont get stiff.
Oh, and try not to stress, make a list of everything you need to bring ahead of time and everything should be fine

[artsyamerican]

I can understand your angst! I had a friend last night ask me if I wanted to ride with her to different places to look at scrapbooking paper and I had to decline.  I have a big trip myself coming up the end of March to the National Institute of Health in Bethesda...but thankfully we're flying.  Good luck to you! I bet you will be just fine : )

[P.Trish]

Thank you everyone. My stress is lower; this group is really a gift. 

Now, I have another question - a 5 hr flight may be coming up in May.  Any frequent fliers (or occasional)? I would be going from a dry climate to a semi-humid climate.

[A66eyroad]

Are you going to be the driver or just a passenger? If you're driving, you might consider which direction you'll be traveling and where the sun is. I like driving in misty rain or before the sun comes up. I hate driving right into the sun!

When DH drives and I'm the (reluctant, type A) passenger, I have to have something to do so that I'm not crazy by the time we get wherever we're going. I have some solitaire games downloaded onto my Kindle so I don't have to watch his driving.     I can play eight games an hour!  I've been known to have needlework to do, but I often end up frustrated so I wouldn't recommend that unless you've got something easy, like changing out some buttons on a sweater.

Also, I download books for free from my local library to my iPod, and we each have an earbud and listen to funny stuff -- P.G. Wodehouse is good, Tina Fey's biography was funny, Betty White's biography was a little dry.

Bring eyedrops, sunglasses and your blanket for the car. Don't forget a couple bottles of water (especially if you're a cheapskate like I am).  Wear something with an elastic waist! I also like to wear a long-sleeved t-shirt and carry a zip-front sweatshirt in the car.   

Napping is also an option.

As far as flying, I'm a big fraidy-cat. My suggestion would be to ask your PCP for a script for Xanax!   

Hope this helps!

[P.Trish]

Thanks for your suggestions - I will follow every one, including some knitting; since I am the passenger. I am type A, so my husband will be grateful that I am distracted. And the audio tapes/iPod are a great idea!

[CathyO]

I'd recommend bringing water from home. Tap water in another city may taste funny. And a small cooler with ice and fresh drinks. Recommend some favorite foods, like fruit (I love bananas!) apples, grapes, carrots. There's a lot of fast food on the road, salt, and that will hurt my stomach and constipate me, so the fresh food helps a lot. Load up on books and music on itunes/book reader if someone else is driving. A seat cushion for your back. Ice packs  and heat packs for your back. All your regular medicines, and any advil stuff for headaches or backaches. And eyedrops. Have fun!!!

[Pisces24]

Whenever my mother and I would go on a short trip (4-5 days) she said it was like we were preparing to be gone a month on safari. LOL 

It helped me cut the anxiety by:  making a list of what to take - meds, etc. ; printing out the route there and note-ing all the possible necessary stops (ie gas station, pharmacies, restaurants, hosp or instacares), List of phone numbers,  I sure there is more but I don't remember off the top of my head here.   It just cut the anxiety for me because I felt prepared. You can't prepare for any eventuality, but you can try. LOL 

[P.Trish]

I shall go forth, armed with a bag full of 'goodies' and ohter stuff - thanks so much  for your ideas and list of items.