Monday, June 10, 2013

Travel Ready . . . . . .

Over the weekend Pete and I took a quick overnight trip to New York City.  I love travel adventures, but packing really stresses me out.  I know I’m a chronic over-packer.  And even still, I’m always terrified that I’m forgetting to pack something very important.  Of course, in reality there is very little I could forget that I couldn’t live without for my time away.  But diabetes supplies . . . . well yes.  Some of those things I quite literally could not live without.

A while back I got the idea to keep a small travel pack ready with about everything I need, diabetes-wise, for a quick trip away.  I pulled out a small clear bag I picked up one year at Friends for Life and tucked in a bunch of supplies.

TravelBag
Here’s a closer look at what I keep inside.

TravelBagInside
It’s filled with spare Tegaderm, IV prep wipes and alcohol swabs, a new vial of test strips, two AAA batteries and the wall charger for my meter, an infusion set and reservoir and two full travel packs of GlucoLift.  All I need to do is throw in a bottle of insulin and I’m good to go overnight or for a long weekend, because I know I also always have more test strips, batteries, low treatments and supplies for a full pump site change in my purse.

When I return home from a trip, I restock the bag before stowing it in the drawer where I keep my diabetes supplies.  Knowing it’s organized and waiting makes packing a bit less stressful.  I also like knowing it’s ready and easily accessible if I ever need to quickly leave the house in an emergency situation.

Our weekend trip was a quick one, but Pete and I had a fantastic time walking around the city, eating a wonderful dinner, finally seeing Wicked on Broadway (something I’ve been dying to do for a very long time and it was more than worth the wait) and just sharing an adventure together.  Travel should be all about the fun and not about the stress, and my pre-packed travel bag helps fend off some of that travel stress.

7 comments:

  1. Wow... I can't believe you can fit all of that into that little bag. That's a great idea. I'm going to start working on mine soon.

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  2. That's such a great idea. I travel a lot for work and am always rushing last minute trying to make sure i packed everything. I'm definitely stealing your idea ;-)

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  3. That's an awesome idea! A ready travel pack, I'm going to have to do that now. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. That is a GREAT idea...I'm always worried I've forgotten something. That advanced planning sure would help. Thanks:)

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  5. You nailed it with that idea! I keep a bag for traveling with general items. Not that I get to travel very much but I always forget something. The pre-packed bag really helps. Even better to have the discipline to restock when you get home. That is where my mistake is! I usually just shove it back in the cupboard...

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  6. Great minds think alike! I have a very similar bag. And I am also a chronic over-packer, so my travel bag is much bigger and contains at least 3 of every item :)

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