Aa
Yes, PwMS CAN travel far and wide! (long)
Once again, your humble servant and fun hog has been AWOL from the boards, and for a darned good reason. I've been traveling!
I was gone for a whole month (after saving my $$ up for 2 years) in France, Italy, and England. Sorry, no meetups with any forum friends - I had family and an anniversary party as obligations.
I traveled ALONE the first two weeks! I did this for three reasons:
1. I needed time alone to try to compose new music and just plain think.
2. I've always wanted to explore far-away places on my own.
3. Though I get around with a stick, nowadays, I'm still ABLE to travel alone.
Unfortunately, in the middle of my two weeks, I got acute appendicitis! I was in Annecy, France, when I decided 36hours with that crazy pain was long enough. I presented at the Clinique Generale, and a surgeon saw me within 15 minutes of my walk into the door! I was able to give him my history (in French), and he had me get up on the table, and he examined me. He palpated my belly, and when he got down around the right lower quadrant, it was getting darned uncomfortable. He pressed deeply (ugh!), and let go suddenly. I let out a cry I'm sure could be heard across the lake!! He confirmed my suspicions, and 20 minutes later, I was in ultrasound. An English speaking anesthesiologist met me, and an hour after that I was in surgery. I was only in hospital for 23 hours, and I was discharged with paracetamol (that's Tylenol to those in the US), and instructions to eat bland stuff for three days (in France?!?), and NO vigorous activity for the next week. So much for my plans of cycling and kayaking on that beautiful lake.
I have to say, I had absolutely no fear when I walked into that clinic. I absolutely trusted everyone who participated in my care, and trusted everything in my course of healing would be uneventful. French healthcare ROCKS! 1 1/2 weeks later, I was swimming in the Mediterranean, two weeks later, I was riding a bike. My three tiny buttonholes (one on my navel, two on the bikini line) healed perfectly.
After the two week solo, I met my DH in Venice where we met our neighbors, with whom we're close, for a 10 year anniversary party. My little town here in the mountains has all of about 800 people, and 14 of us converged on this party! What a hoot! We sang songs, read poetry, shared stories, and held the happy couple in a circle while they re-recited their vows. Magical times, indeed!
From there, we explored the Cinque Terre, and spent a week with my cousins in the Midlands in England. They're in Matlock, Derbyshire. Great people. Lots of walking, some cycling, pubs, tea, family reunion. We can't wait to go back!
All of this gets down to - don't stuff your dreams just because you have MS. Stay as active as you can. Dream big. Make a plan. I know saving any kind of dough in this economy is really hard, but little by little, it can be done.
I'm still paying off the last bits of the operation, and I'll file a claim with my insurance company when I get the operative report (I have the ultrasound report and the labs). And, no, I didn't have travelers' insurance. But the operation would have cost $30,000 here, and it was €2,500 there! I'm considering moving there!
I never did write a new tune, but the guitar was played!
Do you have all the fun you can? Even without traveling? We don't have to be far away to have solo adventures!
I was gone for a whole month (after saving my $$ up for 2 years) in France, Italy, and England. Sorry, no meetups with any forum friends - I had family and an anniversary party as obligations.
I traveled ALONE the first two weeks! I did this for three reasons:
1. I needed time alone to try to compose new music and just plain think.
2. I've always wanted to explore far-away places on my own.
3. Though I get around with a stick, nowadays, I'm still ABLE to travel alone.
Unfortunately, in the middle of my two weeks, I got acute appendicitis! I was in Annecy, France, when I decided 36hours with that crazy pain was long enough. I presented at the Clinique Generale, and a surgeon saw me within 15 minutes of my walk into the door! I was able to give him my history (in French), and he had me get up on the table, and he examined me. He palpated my belly, and when he got down around the right lower quadrant, it was getting darned uncomfortable. He pressed deeply (ugh!), and let go suddenly. I let out a cry I'm sure could be heard across the lake!! He confirmed my suspicions, and 20 minutes later, I was in ultrasound. An English speaking anesthesiologist met me, and an hour after that I was in surgery. I was only in hospital for 23 hours, and I was discharged with paracetamol (that's Tylenol to those in the US), and instructions to eat bland stuff for three days (in France?!?), and NO vigorous activity for the next week. So much for my plans of cycling and kayaking on that beautiful lake.
I have to say, I had absolutely no fear when I walked into that clinic. I absolutely trusted everyone who participated in my care, and trusted everything in my course of healing would be uneventful. French healthcare ROCKS! 1 1/2 weeks later, I was swimming in the Mediterranean, two weeks later, I was riding a bike. My three tiny buttonholes (one on my navel, two on the bikini line) healed perfectly.
After the two week solo, I met my DH in Venice where we met our neighbors, with whom we're close, for a 10 year anniversary party. My little town here in the mountains has all of about 800 people, and 14 of us converged on this party! What a hoot! We sang songs, read poetry, shared stories, and held the happy couple in a circle while they re-recited their vows. Magical times, indeed!
From there, we explored the Cinque Terre, and spent a week with my cousins in the Midlands in England. They're in Matlock, Derbyshire. Great people. Lots of walking, some cycling, pubs, tea, family reunion. We can't wait to go back!
All of this gets down to - don't stuff your dreams just because you have MS. Stay as active as you can. Dream big. Make a plan. I know saving any kind of dough in this economy is really hard, but little by little, it can be done.
I'm still paying off the last bits of the operation, and I'll file a claim with my insurance company when I get the operative report (I have the ultrasound report and the labs). And, no, I didn't have travelers' insurance. But the operation would have cost $30,000 here, and it was €2,500 there! I'm considering moving there!
I never did write a new tune, but the guitar was played!
Do you have all the fun you can? Even without traveling? We don't have to be far away to have solo adventures!
I think it's vital to our well being that we are as defiant of our MS as we can be :-)
Kyle
Kyle
Terrific account of what can be - I'm so glad you shared the story, including the medical woes. We can get out there and go solo, as you said. It all starts with the first step...
I love that so many people here have taken on new adventures- travels and other things - and share their experience and encouragement here.
There's bound to be a song or two from this journey that will show up soon - maybe about leaving a part of you behind in France?
hugs, L
I love that so many people here have taken on new adventures- travels and other things - and share their experience and encouragement here.
There's bound to be a song or two from this journey that will show up soon - maybe about leaving a part of you behind in France?
hugs, L
Guitargirl,
Wow - what a post. I was excited reading it the whole way through, and could envision your travels. Despite the urgent appendectomy - least your care was top notch!
You say....
"All of this gets down to - don't stuff your dreams just because you have MS. Stay as active as you can. Dream big. Make a plan."
I couldn't agree more - Sometimes it's hard to see through the weeds, especially when they are seemingly strangling you, however, one step at a time gets you to the next. Any I encourage all to never give up on that next step.
Glad to read this. Happy Anniversary, and thank you for sharing this. I'd bet a new song is just around the corner :)
(((Hugs)))
shell
Wow - what a post. I was excited reading it the whole way through, and could envision your travels. Despite the urgent appendectomy - least your care was top notch!
You say....
"All of this gets down to - don't stuff your dreams just because you have MS. Stay as active as you can. Dream big. Make a plan."
I couldn't agree more - Sometimes it's hard to see through the weeds, especially when they are seemingly strangling you, however, one step at a time gets you to the next. Any I encourage all to never give up on that next step.
Glad to read this. Happy Anniversary, and thank you for sharing this. I'd bet a new song is just around the corner :)
(((Hugs)))
shell
I do envy you for most of your trip. While I have traveled quite a bit in my life, there are still some places I would love to visit, but are now out of the question with my health. So now I am stuck with only the more local trips that I can make.
Dennis
Dennis
So sorry about your intimate look at a foreign hospital, but other than that, your trip sounds lovely!
In my life I've done a great deal of traveling, to many countries on several continents, and I envy anyone who's setting off. I have to be real about travel now, since I just can't schlepp like I used to. I just get too tired, and then I'm miserable, because I want to go and do, not sit in a hotel room. So I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.
However, I haven't given up. I'm not a huge fan of cruises if the object is to see new places, but something is better than nothing. Next summer, if I can afford it, I may take a river cruise in France. I've seen some great ads. I think I could manage that since it really doesn't involve ports, more like docks, and the things to see would be quite nearby. Then too, poor me, I'd have to eat all that French food, not to mention drink the wine :-)
What a way to go!
ess
In my life I've done a great deal of traveling, to many countries on several continents, and I envy anyone who's setting off. I have to be real about travel now, since I just can't schlepp like I used to. I just get too tired, and then I'm miserable, because I want to go and do, not sit in a hotel room. So I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.
However, I haven't given up. I'm not a huge fan of cruises if the object is to see new places, but something is better than nothing. Next summer, if I can afford it, I may take a river cruise in France. I've seen some great ads. I think I could manage that since it really doesn't involve ports, more like docks, and the things to see would be quite nearby. Then too, poor me, I'd have to eat all that French food, not to mention drink the wine :-)
What a way to go!
ess
What an adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed it minus the surgery. France is the place to be for that sort of thing. Glad the rest of the trip went well.
Alex
Alex
Kyle...that sounds great! I am impressed with all the folks on this board, who have such a great attitude...even when I know some of them, have much more serious issues, than I do, currently. I am inspired by all of you folks...truly! Thanks. Jan.
I agree, travel is good for the soul! I just spent 8 days putzing around Umbria :-)
Kyle
Kyle
Guitar Grrl and DoubleVision...I am thrilled to read this post! I recently began to feel a strong need to 'get out there'...so, I am currently scheduling my first trip abroad...an eight-day, relaxing tour around central Tuscany, Italy. It is a walking tour, which will be good for me to keep up with some exercise, and we will be getting a cooking lesson in a 16th century farmhouse, sampling wines at the local wineries, and visiting two abbeys, while there. After the tour ends, I will then be staying by myself for four days, just to kick back, and enjoy Tuscany in a quieter way. I may take a day tour of Cinque Terra.
It will be a small group on tour, and I will be going by myself, as my girlfriend decided she can't afford it now. But, I am really not too scared. I am good at meeting people, and not afraid to ask questions. I have a AAA agent, who is a peach, helping me with all of the arrangements. Since my brain injury, making all the logistical arrangements is the hardest part for me.
So, this is a pretty big deal for me. I am soooo excited...and a bit proud of myself, for doing it. I love your attitudes, and I am trying to foster that attitude myself, now! I agree...life is short...let's enjoy what we can! Thanks for listening, all. Jan.
It will be a small group on tour, and I will be going by myself, as my girlfriend decided she can't afford it now. But, I am really not too scared. I am good at meeting people, and not afraid to ask questions. I have a AAA agent, who is a peach, helping me with all of the arrangements. Since my brain injury, making all the logistical arrangements is the hardest part for me.
So, this is a pretty big deal for me. I am soooo excited...and a bit proud of myself, for doing it. I love your attitudes, and I am trying to foster that attitude myself, now! I agree...life is short...let's enjoy what we can! Thanks for listening, all. Jan.
Well, appendectomy notwithstanding, it sounds like a wonderful holiday. If you had to get sick while travelling, it's good that it happened where it did. My friends living in France have had nothing but good experiences with the health care system there. You saw some beautiful places on your travels and I agree with your thoughts on solo travel. When you're on your own, you experience things in such a different way and have encounters you'd otherwise miss. But also fun to be with loved ones. You definitely had the best of both worlds. I'm really pleased for you, and a little jealous!
To answer your question, I'm not sure that I have ALL the fun I can.....I can get bogged down with mundane tasks and irritable when I feel unwell. But I don't let myself wallow for long.....it's so much more pleasant to have fun and enjoy the people in my life and appreciate what I have. Travel is my #1 favourite way to spend my time, even more so since dx when it took on a certain urgency, with the uncertainty re: progression, disability, etc. Next stop, Rome and the Amalfi coast in May....unless I can get a seat sale to London between now and then to visit a friend.
So, when are you coming to Canada?! :)
To answer your question, I'm not sure that I have ALL the fun I can.....I can get bogged down with mundane tasks and irritable when I feel unwell. But I don't let myself wallow for long.....it's so much more pleasant to have fun and enjoy the people in my life and appreciate what I have. Travel is my #1 favourite way to spend my time, even more so since dx when it took on a certain urgency, with the uncertainty re: progression, disability, etc. Next stop, Rome and the Amalfi coast in May....unless I can get a seat sale to London between now and then to visit a friend.
So, when are you coming to Canada?! :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Welcome back, oh and apart from the quick appendix rip out, i'm sooooo totally jealous! Sounds like you have a heavenly time..........never ever give up on your dreams, you go girl ;o)
cheers.........JJ
cheers.........JJ
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
