A lot of people travel during the holiday season — and it’s seldom a fun adventure for anyone. However, when you suffer from a chronic illness like mesothelioma, the difficulty of traveling takes on new proportions.
Here are some helpful tips that can get you through the trip:
1. Pack your medication carefully
If you fly, all your medication should go into your carry-on. Pills and solid medication don’t need to be declared at the security checkpoint. However, any liquid medication in your possession over 3.4 ounces must be declared before you can pass through security. Generally speaking, as long as you’re carrying under a 90-day supply of your medication you won’t receive any extra scrutiny.
If you require additional medical equipment for respiratory ailments, like most mesothelioma victims do, pack all your tubing, power adapters, cords and other supplies in your bag as well. Never check any of your medication or equipment with the remainder of your luggage. You risk losing it if the luggage gets rerouted or mislaid.
2. Take a medical history with you
Type out a copy of your most important medical information, including:
- Your prescriptions
- Your drug allergies
- Your diagnoses
- Your physician’s name, address and phone number
This can be an incredibly helpful piece of paper to have if you fall ill while you’re on vacation and require emergency care.
3. Check out the hospitals where you’re headed
Do you know the location of the hospitals closest to your destination? Spend some time in advance of your trip finding out what medical centers are nearby and look up their reviews online. That way, you can make an educated decision about where you want to be treated if you fall sick.
You should also find out which hospitals are covered under your insurance plan. That way, a small medical crisis over your holiday trip won’t turn into a major bill later.
If you’re suffering from the devastating effects of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, there may be compensation available. Talk to an attorney about your options.
