It is with great joy that I was able to spend the weekend in another city to receive the acknowledgement of finishing my degree. But, that is neither here nor there. I am writing to let you know about how my physical traveling went with being as ill as I am.
I have to first give credit to those who helped me get the POC (personal oxygen concentrator). I would not have been able to venture beyond the confines of Miami without it.
Here are some of the things I noticed….
I started having extra coughing attacks about two weeks before the trip. I am assuming that the increased anxiety about the trip caused a flare up of my symptoms.
Of course, the day before leaving, I had the nervous stomach and my period started. Don’t you just love stress.
It took a little longer to get through the ticket counter. This is due to the fact that not all airline agents are familiar with the new portable systems.
- Do request wheelchair assistance at all phases of your traveling. This can be done after purchasing your airline ticket. You will get a phone call a week before explaining the limitations of the use of the particular machine you are using. I happened to have a unit that has no limitations during the flight.
- Do get to the airport early (2 hours) as suggested. Some airports provide a wheelchair immediately, others make you wait in a designated area.
- Do dress comfortably with easy slide on shoes, yoga type pants and a sweater.
- Do have your medications in the top of your carry on in their prescription bottles in a zip lock.
- If traveling with a POC, make sure all batteries are at a 100%. Pack all batteries and chargers. I packed an additional nasal canula hose in case there was problems. The POC does not count as a carry on.
- If you have dietary problems, pack snacks in your personal carry on (purse) near the top for inspection. The airline I chose did not have gluten-free snacks. I was grateful I packed my own.
- If you are staying at a hotel, at time of making the reservation, ask for a room with at least a refrigerator and foam pillows. If you are in a wheelchair or using mobility equipment, you may want to ask for a handicap room. This reservation should be made well in advance and any specifications (refrigerator, pillows, etc) should be reiterated in the comments field. Call the day before and confirm reservation and check in times.
- Pills, eye drops and the other medications. Take two-day extra supply. With using restasis, the prescription label is on the outside of a fairly cumbersome box. I was able to tape my supply to the lid and use that as the prescription instead of carting a whole box. I did not need my extra days of supplies, but it was nice to have them.
- Stock up on baby aspirin. I had three little bottles of baby aspirin in my personal item. I was not questioned, where I saw others with bigger bottles of pain killers were examined.
- Do expect to have extra body aches if suffering a related condition. Aspirin and I were best buddies during the trip.
The one thing I did find I had a hard time with was staying hydrated. Once in the wheelchair, you are taken straight to the gate. So, bathroom break and getting any drinks is out of the question. Upon arrival on the other side of your destination, you are taken directly to arrivals section to be picked up by your chauffeur. I was fortunate that I had a friend who met me at my destination and took me grocery shopping to get snacks and water for my room.
I did take advantage at the restaurants of any free refills. I also used the coffee maker in my room for tea and coffee. Be advised that the water in other cities may taste different. I found brushing my teeth unusually ucky at my destination due to the different mineral composition.
Eating can be a challenge. Of all the places I ate at, only one waiter announced that he would be more than willing to help with selections for food allergies. I was impressed. It was an upscale setting though. Most others, you just have to read the menu carefully and ask if you are unsure. I did not have to starve through anything. 
Five Roses Pub
Graduation 
At the Green 
Burger without the bun and fresh made fries.
As you can see, I wore my POC for the event I was in and during all outings. Sometimes I needed it when eating, sometimes not. Most times I had the oxygen going anyway. It just made talking all that much easier. I did have a couple of coughing attacks. But nothing like I have in the past.
Also, I did find myself feeling light headed at about 30,000 feet when the plane levels off. I checked my hands and lips, they were normal color. I put the oxygen on and the light headedness went away. So, feel free to oxygen up as needed.
When we were in a park area, I actually saw someone else with a POC. It is nice to see people allowing themselves to not be contained by the limitations of the 25 foot cord to a machine.
I will admit that after two days my back was spasming something awful. But, I am not used to wearing it almost all day for days in a row. I guess I will have to work on that this summer. (So, I look like a mini tank. At least people will get out of my way.)
I only had two people ask me about my need for the oxygen. I explained that I had a condition that affected my lungs from working properly. They were fine about it. They then congratulated on me being mobile and taking on the world.
I even met a gentleman getting his doctorate after suffering a brain aneurism two years ago. He was told he would never talk, walk or eat alone again. He walked to get his doctorate and plans on getting another one soon. He even has plans to start something to help people like him and me to continue our education even despite our physical limitations. Also crossing the stage was a woman with a walker and a gentleman in a scooter getting their master drapes for their bachelor’s.
What is the bottom line…..plan head accordingly for travel. Be prepared to be a little dehydrated. Try to have a connection at the destination to help with dietary and hydration needs. Don’t be surprised if your hormones and conditions flare up before the event. Do pack light. (I wish now I had used a slightly larger carry on and put my purse in it to make things a little less cumbersome.)
Most of all, thank God that He has allowed you the opportunity to travel.