Okay, I'm alive.

my backpacking route 

When I think of diabetes, I am constantly reminded of all the things I can't or shouldn't do. Most of these rules I break on a daily basis---like the fact that I am inhaling a bag of Wavy Lays as I type this. My backpacking trip was a small break from all of these rules because I accomplished something I thought I would never be able to do.

Some of my fears, doubts, concerns:

• What if my bag gets lost/stolen and my medicine is in it?
• How will I keep my insulin cool at all times?
• What if I slip into a low blood sugar and nobody knows that I am diabetic?
• Most importantly, how can one travel lightly when having to balance 3 months of medical supplies with a clothing addiction?

I started doing research online and with my doctor to figure out the best way to go about this trip. I was NOT about to lug around a cooler and ice packs, so I asked my doctor to be real with me...I asked how important is it to keep my insulin cool? She admitted that it is not about keeping insulin cool, as much as it is from keeping it from getting hot. My dad had a great idea: pack my pens in a thermos. This worked out great, because it was light and easy to cram in my backpack. If need be I thought I could drop a few ice cubes in the thermos, but I never ended up doing that.

My doctor wrote long letter with my list of prescriptions on it. I made one copy for my backpack and one for my purse. This was just in case my bag was lost /stolen and I needed to walk into a hospital and DEMAND insulin. Unfortunately, I am on a 90-day prescription cycle. So if I ran out when I was traveling, my insurance company said they would not be able to send me a refill. I never had to utilize this letter, but I felt much safer having it with me!

Another thing recommended to me was to pack 3x the amount of medicine that I would usually take for that time frame. 3x the needles, 3x the pens, 3x the pills. I still do not understand how I can walk onto a plane with 30 needles in my carry-on (let alone 300) without being stopped by security (Check out my post here).

And in case you were concerned about what I consumed..I did not hold back on drinking or eating anything...Sorry Dr. Aleppo.

Mykonos, Greece

Munich, Germany 

Ios, Greece

Paris, France

My trip was more than just seeing the world. It truly made me feel like I could accomplish something without my health holding me back. It was a great reminder that I can still do human things without feeling like I am on a regimented medical course everyday.


Contact me with any questions or similar traveling advice!
The DiaBlogger