Landing Safely: Travel Tips for Life with CVD
Aaaaannnd… safe! Stuck the landing! Finally back in Germany after four months on an unplanned medically necessary hiatus, but damn it’s good to be back! However, when one is traveling with CVD and arrives safely, that does not necessarily mean that one is entirely safe from complications. In my experience, there’s always something of a backlog cost that catches up with me after I land. It’s never the same thing twice, but my heart and body come up with creative ways to remind me who is still in charge. The first half of the battle is preparing to travel with CVD, ensuring all your doctor appointments are in order, booking lodgings, as well as planning the sights you want to see and the things you want to do. However, one factor that does not get enough attention is the inevitable problem or problems that occur after you arrive at your destination when you have CVD.
Sometimes it's simple, normal things like a missing suitcase or a forgotten charger, but other times it’s an unforeseen medical problem, a misplaced medicine, or a new heart complication. The threat of these things alone often gives one pause and causes people with CVD to hesitate from even jumping on a plane at all. However, it should be remembered that something will always go wrong, but all you can do is prepare for it.
An example of this is how I arrived back in Germany a week ago and have been navigating airports, moving apartments, going to doctors' appointments, dealing with new medicines and a new diet plan, meeting new roommates, getting essentials at the store in a foreign language, applying for jobs, and attending concerts with friends, all while dealing with serious jet lag.
Luckily, my experience with CVD has allowed me to keep my footing to achieve this, but that does not mean that there were no complications upon my arrival, as there always, ALWAYS are.
Whether in China, the USA, or Germany, there is always a sudden issue involving my health. One time, my suitcase containing all my medicine was taken by the flight attendant because it was too heavy, and I lost it for a week. Another time, my INR (which tests the ability of my blood to clot) spiked for no discernible reason, and at another point, it plummeted. Another time, my passport was stolen in a robbery, another time a guy stole my suitcase out of my hand… there’s always something.
This time, my return to Germany included a medical scare the day before my departure that required new medicine and diet expectations for this trip, which was irritating and unprecedented. This led to some difficulty adjusting upon my arrival that required me to take the “as needed” medicine in order to mitigate the temporarily worsening heart failure symptoms… but all things considered, it was handled.
But that didn’t stop me, and the threat of it never has, nor should it stop you.
It is the nature of travel that something will go wrong. That’s part of the adventure, and oftentimes it is the more insane events that feature the brightest in stories after the fact. Plus, something goes wrong for people who land on any end of the medical spectrum. From a non-cardiac perspective, problems like accidentally leaving the TV on, forgetting their passport on the dresser, a door being left unlocked, or forgetting to make a phone call just before you step on a plane for vacation are just a few examples of how something inevitably is going to go wrong for people going on vacation, regardless of their medical status. However, it can be more serious if you have a medical condition like CVD, as I described. Since its potential cannot be entirely eliminated, it is best to prepare for this likely eventuality.
There are some things you should consider before your arrival.
Medicines:
Make certain your medicines are in your carry-on and that you never get separated from them. I say this because I had a few close calls because of this, and I find it best to avoid this problem if I can. Personally, I have had issues with this almost every time, and only once did they manage to take my suitcase from me, and I was without it for a week. Thank goodness I had backups of my essential medicines. First off, I recommend keeping a week’s worth of medicine in your purse or coat pocket. However, should they take the carry-on with all the rest of your medicine, I recommend keeping your medicines in a dopp kit within the carry-on. This makes it easy to take out and carry in situations like this.
Lodging:
If you have issues walking long distances, make sure the place where you will stay is either close to the airport or train station or accessible via a taxi. Sometimes this is easier said than done, so it is best to double-check. I once arrived at a train station in the middle of the night and my hotel was comparatively nearby but up a very steep hill. Luckily, a stray cat came by and accompanied me to my door, but it was rough pulling my suitcase with me. Granted, at the time, I was not in peak health, so it is important to gauge your physical fitness when choosing a hotel.
Rest and Recuperating:
Traveling is stressful and exhausting for anyone, but can be especially so if you have a heart condition. It does not matter what level of CVD you are in or your age; it is important to take a rest when you arrive. So, I recommend making adjusting to the time zone a top priority and managing your sleep appropriately on the plane, which will make your acclimation easier in the long run anyway. It should be noted that this is easier said than done, but it is worth the effort. Personally, adjusting to time zones has always been difficult for me, and I need a week to fully acclimate.
Once these factors are in order, then you can land on two feet and be more primed to have a wonderful vacation, trip, or job abroad! Yes, things can go wrong, and trust me, it is a matter of “what?,” “when?,” and “how?” than “if?” While this certainty can be a deterrent, I find it a north star one must navigate with and around rather than ignore or avoid. Preparation is worth it in the long run, and the potential risks should not stop someone from living a life as free as one can be.
May luck be ever in your favor!
Can you relate?
Comment below.
Tune in next Monday and Friday for more! I will be writing more now that I’m finally feeling better, so I’m getting a new, more frequent schedule.
Keep ticking, everybody!
P.S. Are there any aspects of CVD health or pacemakers you’d like to know more about?
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