Leaders for Life: Women’s Heart Health

Before October 22nd 2009 I had no idea what a pulmonary embolism was nor did I care. To me that was something that happened to the elderly and at 26 it didn’t even touch my radar. My radar was off. I was 26 years old when the doctors gave me the news that I had a blood clot in my lung. At first I didn’t think it was serious. I was in a lot of pain, could barely breathe, yet thought I would be out of the ER in no time.

I wouldn’t be leaving Wood Winds anytime soon. In my life time I never thought I would hear my name followed by the words “code blue.” The moment the blood clot was discovered the staff was set into a furry. Ivs started, clot busters injected into my chest and pain medicine was given to me like candy. They explained ” You have a blow out in your lung. Some of your lung sacks ruptured.” An then these words came: “You’ve suffered a very mild stroke.” I never thought I did hear AmandaJean and stroke in the same sentence either. But I did. It was real and each moment was uncertain. Each moment my heart raced towards that mark, soon I heard “shit she’s in sinus tack.” More meds were injected to try to help my heart, the heparin slowly dripped into my veins, and this this was my new life.

A new life that I accepted with grace. Upon leaving the hospital it set in. It set in that I was no longer the same. I felt jaded, cheated, and robbed of my youth. Everyone I encountered in the hospital said “wow you really were born in 82, I am so sorry. Your young you will bounce back hun.” I get that alot about being so young. However I am living proof that stroke and blood clots know no age. There only goal is to rob you of the life you lead.

For three weeks my life became a schedule of Lovenox injections. That shit burns, my stomach looked like a war zone, and with each prick I grew angry. Angry because my primary care doctor failed me, angry because the warning label lied, and angry that my government would let this product in. Twice a week for six months I showed up to the INR clinic and chatted with the nurse. We never did get my numbers right as I swallowed the warfarin sodium each day hoping my INR would change. That was my life, pills, injections, pricks, and doctors. My family life suffered, my job drove me nuts, and I became jealous of the healthy 27 year olds around me.

Yet with each day the bruises faded, the anger withered away, and my jealousy dwindled. I was getting better and feeling well enough to take on the world. I armed myself with all of the information I could. So that I could turn around and educate other women about the warning signs. Maybe I could save someone from enduring my fate. Save them from my hell and just maybe in a way I’d save myself too. To my surprise people listened, they really listened. With each person I encountered my passion grew stronger. Heart health is important and so is educating women about the dangers of birth control. This is my passion, my purpose on the planet. To travel the country and share my heart journey with all of you. So that a woman you love will never have to endure my fate. I have endured enough pain and struggle for all of us.

Warning signs / symptoms of Blood Clots and Pulmonary Embolisms:

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of your body, usually in your legs.

■Swelling, usually in one leg
■Leg pain or tenderness
■Reddish or bluish skin discoloration
■Leg warm to touch
These symptoms of a blood clot may feel similar to a pulled muscle or a “Charlie horse,” but may differ in that the leg may be swollen, slightly discolored, and warm. Contact your doctor if you have these symptoms, because you may need treatment right away.

Pulmonary Embolism: Signs and Symptoms
Clots can break off from a DVT and travel to the lung, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be fatal

■Sudden shortness of breath
■Chest pain-sharp, stabbing; may get worse with deep breath
■Rapid heart rate
■Unexplained cough, sometimes with bloody mucus
Call an ambulance or 911 immediately for treatment in the ER

350,000—600,000 people in the United States develop blood clots every year. About 100,000 people in the U.S. die each year from blood clots, which means that about 1 of 3 may die.

Warning Signs of StrokeWomen may report unique stroke symptoms:

•sudden face and limb pain
•sudden hiccups
•sudden nausea
•sudden general weakness
•sudden chest pain
•sudden shortness of breath
•sudden palpitations
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms
Every minute counts for stroke patients and acting F.A.S.T. can lead patients to the stroke treatments they desperately need. The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms. Actually, many Americans are not aware that stroke patients may not be eligible for stroke treatments if they arrive at the hospital after the three-hour window.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:
F—FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T—TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Getting Healthy: Mind, Body & Spirit

I have struggled with my weight most of my life and built up some bad habits that have been difficult to break. I am now in my mid-thirties and on the cusp of breaking that “I’m invincible” mentality.  I’m not young anymore, I have aches and pains, more recently I’ve had really bad migraines.  I’m not entirely sure what is causing them, but my doctor has suggested I get labs completed to ensure that there aren’t any chronic conditions that are causing them, like hypertension.  

A few days later I bought a blood pressure cuff, but have yet to use it, because I’m a little concerned it will be high. Heart disease and diabetes run in my family.  I also have anxiety, but know it would be better if I ate healthier and exercised.  

I get my labs taken on February 2nd at the ass crack of dawn and then I hope and pray they all come back good, but even if they do, it’s really only a matter of time before I do get diagnosed with a chronic health condition.  Especially if I don’t change my bad habits. 

So here I am, writing this blog post on January 24, 2021 a day after I spoke to the listeners of our Podcast declaring I am starting on the WW program on February 1st in honor of Women’s Heart Health month. 

My goal is to lose 25 pounds in 3 months.  I plan to set my intentions of meal planning, prepping, and preparing my workouts 1 month in advance. I will be freezing meals to keep them fresh so I don’t have to cook all the time.  I am going to post daily on the WW (previously Weight Watchers) app as @SherriGoesFit – so make sure to follow me and keep me motivated and I will do the same for you.  In 2020, I lost 25 pounds on the WW app, but gained back about 8 of those pounds.  I know I can do this if I set my mind to it.  

I announced in our 2020 episode that my New Year’s Resolution was to lose 50 pounds in 2021.  I feel like I set the same goal every year… lose weight.  I’m going to add a little bit of spice this time around and work on meditation, visualization and affirmations.  I know, I think it’s silly too!  However, I’m willing to try anything once.  I recently started meditating more often and found that it has really cleared my head and helped me focus better for my day job, so I’m hoping I can focus it towards my weight loss as well.  

I do believe a healthy lifestyle change isn’t just physical, but mental and spiritual too.  I want to add those components into my life more often to help me stay consistent.  

Because consistency is key to losing weight!  

Next Sunday, I will post about my meal prepping, workout routine, recipes, meditations, affirmations, etc.  and continue to post weekly about my success and well, struggles as well.  I know I will have struggles, not every journey is going to be a straight and narrow path.  I know mine won’t.  I will post daily on the WW app starting January 30th as I meal prep!  

Don’t forget to tune into our Podcast Maybe Swearing Helps to follow our shenanigans and hear about my journey. 

-Sherri

The Dumpster Fire that was 2020

Grab your wine and come hang out with the ladies as they dish about the ups and downs of 2020. It was definitely a year to remember.

Episode 1 Dumpster Fire

Show Notes:

The ladies sat down to discuss the year that was…..2020. A year that neither of them will ever forget.

In January the ladies were motivated and after attending Oprah’s 2020 vision tour they were ready to become their healthiest selves. AJ got a gym membership and she actually used it too! Sherri was impressed by this achievement and talked AJ into an aquafit class aka water aerobics for old ladies. AJ learned that there are spots in the pool and if you take someone’s spot, she’ll cut you. AJ & Sherri still have no idea what they are doing in class because the music was too loud for their liking. So they just floundered around in the pool like lost fish.

February was all about the CRUISE!!!!!! Yes they went on their first bestie vacation that did not require a tent or bug spray. The ladies loved Key West & Cozumel. They spent their days laying out on the Carnival Victory’s pool deck. AJ may or may not have eaten way to much. Both ladies definitely drank to much. And there was an epic storm that AJ slept through while Sherri questioned her life decisions that night.

Covid! Covid! Covid! Covid! If you friend won’t buy you a 48 pack of toilet paper, then you need a new friend! Because friends don’t let friends go without toilet paper. AJ realized that Jay was possibly trying to knock her off by designating her as the gatherer who went into the stores as he stayed in the car. Sherri avoided the world and we all gained weight!

The summer wasn’t summer in minneapolis. Tensions were high after the George Floyd murder and riots. The ladies watched their beloved uptown burn on the news and donated food/water to help out the people that live in that area. Sherri went on vacation, AJ did too. And then they decided to go camping in southwest MN…. with the air mattress from hell! Sherri turned 36, which AJ reminded her that she’s 4 years closer to 40. Oh and…..AJ went through IVF and got two frozen embryos, we are so happy for her!

The fall brought a small bit of calm. Sherri lost weight (Yay) & AJ went to Yellowstone with her Dad. Then the debates happened and eventually Biden won!!!

Grab your wine and tune into the podcast to hear the full review of the dumpster fire that was 2020. We promise it will make you laugh.

7 Ways to Invest in Your Long Term Friendships

If there is one thing I’ve learned in the last year it is that those friends that have stuck around for year and years and years are the ones you need to keep close to you.  I am not a perfect person and often I like to separate myself from people. I would consider myself a little anti-social. 

When I crawl out of my shell my closest friends always welcome me back with open arms and we go right back to where we left off.  They don’t get mad, but instead they give me space, but make sure I’m ok. 

There are a few things I do to invest in my long-term friendships even if I don’t talk to these friends every day.  I like to show my appreciation for them and ensure they know that I love and care about them even when I am being distant.

Check in with Them Occasionally

You don’t always have to wait for them to reach out to you.  If you take the initiative occasionally, it’ll show how much you care.  It’s important to ask how they are doing and to listen.  If you haven’t caught up in a while, I’m sure they will have plenty to tell you!

Also, ask questions about the details they give you.  Hopefully this comes naturally to you, but when friends talk about their kids in sports or their significant others it’s important to ask questions so they know you are interested in their life.

Treat Them to Brunch or Dinner

I have a few friends I see every few months and when we get together I like to treat them to a meal at a nice restaurant.  I appreciate their friendship and always sticking with me even when I’m not at my best.  Of course, if they are good friends they will pick up the next check.  It’s that crazy friendship back and forth that we always do.  Neither of us want to take advantage of the other and we always want to make sure we are fair!

Be There for the Important Events!

I am not much of a wedding person, but when my friends ask me to be in their weddings I always say yes!  A friend of mine wanted me to be her maid of honor and while I wasn’t super excited about this situation I said yes with no hesitation, because I knew how much it meant to her.  In the end, she decided to not get married so I get the brownie points for saying yes. 

The one thing I do regret is when my friend’s father passed away and I wasn’t there.  We are friends but talk a couple times a year and always get together around our birthdays.  I knew her father passed away, but I just couldn’t get myself to reach out. I didn’t know what to say or do. She never held it against me, but it still haunts me.

Say Yes!

I am such a homebody that often I will forgo events that involve their other friends or family.  I always feel awkward considering I do not have a significant other to tag along.  There are certainly times I say yes, especially when it is something important to them. 

When my friend had a housewarming party she invited me and even though I tried to wiggle out of it, she would not take no for an answer.  When I arrived, she made me feel like part of the group.  That is a true friend!

When Something Reminds You of Them, Tell Them!

We all have those moments when we see something and instantly think of that one friend.  Please share this, don’t think, “this is dumb” and write it off as being silly.  They will love to know you were thinking of them and it’ll be a special moment between the both of you.

I am sure if this is a true friend they will see something that reminds them of you too. 

Invite Them Out Even When You Think They Will Say No

I enjoy going to concerts, but not all my friends do.  The one friend that does enjoy going, we don’t always agree on the same type of music.  However, I have learned that inviting him to concerts I enjoy is always a good way for him to listen to new music and we get some friend time together too.

I have another friend who isn’t as interested in going to shows, but if she doesn’t have other plans she will go with me.  We may be different, but we do celebrate our differences by doing things the other person enjoys.  She wanted to attend a candle making class once, so of course, I was willing to be her plus one to this class.  That’s how friendships work!

Keep Your Opinions to Yourself!

I am crazy opinionated on what I would or would not do in a situation.  When your friend is going through something it’s always best to just listen and not to insert your opinions.  I have gotten into a lot of trouble in the past when I let my opinions go wild and don’t have discipline with myself to hold back.  If your friend asks for your opinion, let them know nicely, but don’t make them feel bad if you would have picked a different path than they did.  We also travel along our own ways and need to make our decisions in life.

We cannot go through life completely alone.  We will always need a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with and sometimes get a second opinion. Friendships are vital and the longer you’ve been friends with someone the more likely you are to trust them. 

I hope this post helps some of you out to ensure that you are being a great friend and give you some ideas on how to make your friendships stronger!

-Sherri

How to Make Friends as an Adult

It’s not easy making friends as an adult and especially as you get into your 30’s and 40’s.  Everyone has their own life, family and friends. Their own circle they stick to, but if you are looking to meet new people outside your social circle, it’s not the easiest thing to do. When you’re a kid all you do is find a kid on the playground and ask them if they want to be your friend.  If you got a yes, great, if a no, then you move on with your life. 

As you get older, things get more complicated and we all carry around baggage.  We all have our trust issues and damaging effects of relationships piled on our shoulders.  When you try to make new friends people have a strong idea of who they are looking for, but sometimes this person we have created in our heads doesn’t even exist! 

However, there are still ways we can make friends, but we do have to be open minded about the type of friends we make.  I have friends that I have nothing in common with and those are the ones that I trust the most! These friends are the ones I wouldn’t give them up for anything.

I would still like to meet new people that have the same interests as me to get me out and about more often. The more friends that can get me interested in new and different things, the better!

Join a Group That Covers a Subject You Are Passionate About

Meetup is a great place to find a book club or a group of people that are interested in the same thing as you.  They have groups for hiking, sports, outdoor adventures, dog lovers, cat lovers, etc.  You are bound to find like-minded people on Meetup.

However, it will take some work to get to know the others in the group.  Please make sure you ask questions about them and listen.  If you see each other often enough in the group maybe invite them to do something with just you or find a local event that you both would be interested in going to together.

On The Job

This can be a bit tricky, but I have met a couple of my close friends at work.  I worked at a call center and in between calls this girl a few cubes away from me would constantly show me what she is picking out for her wedding (dishes, table linens, etc).  We’ve been friends for 10 years now.

I met another amazing friend of mine while working at Target in college. I was training her in and she just kept talking.  She hung around me and although I wasn’t looking for a new friend, she was new to town and was looking to make more friends!  This friend invited me to her parties and always made me feel part of the group. 

The tricky thing about meeting people at work is that if you don’t get along after a while you still must see each other.  It’s never a good thing to be real awkward with each other, especially at work.

Meeting Friends through Friends

The friend that invites me to all the parties, we ended up with one mutual friend.  We were both singletons and vegetarians.  We rarely did anything on our own, but it was always nice to have another friend at her party. 

It can be a lot of fun when you meet friends through other friends and do things as a group.  It certainly makes the social situations with people you don’t know easier when you have more than one friend around.

I do have a lot of social anxiety so knowing others in a big group can help me move around from one person and talk to others.

Dog Park

This only works if you have a dog, but you wouldn’t believe how many people you can sit and have a conversation with at a dog park.  You obviously all love your pets to the moon and back.  This is the place to sit and gush over your fur babies!  Your pets are the conversation starter and as you watch your pups play together you can get to know each other.  I mean, really, the next outing will definitely involve your dogs!

You could also have a good conversation starter like the cute sweater you have on your dog or the extra fancy collar. 

I love the dog park and I don’t take my dog there often enough!

Volunteer

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding and makes you feel great, but you can meet a lot of new people just by giving your time to those less fortunate.  If you enjoy hanging out with other animals, you could volunteer at the Humane Society or another pet shelter.  You could also help feed the homeless or volunteer in a homeless shelter.

The people that you volunteer with share the same love of helping others and using that as a conversation starter will be helpful.

If you are political you could also volunteer for a campaign and meet others that share the same passion as you do!

I hope this list is helpful in you making new friends!  I know that all of these have been helpful for me to meet new people.  I’ve also made a few good friends from doing some of the things on this list.  There is always a risk in meeting new people, but sometimes it’s worth the risk. 

Especially when you gain a lifelong friend in the process.

A Best Friend Is?

While scrolling through TikTok to waste time that I didn’t have I came across a sound with the following quote:

What is a Best Friend?

Best friends are people who make your problems their problems, just so you don’t have to go through it alone.

That quote resonated with me and I listened to the video a dozen times. That quote sums up the entirety of my friendship with Sherri. In on October 22, 2009 my life changed forever. I had a massive pulmonary embolism with infarction and a stroke. I almost died five days before my 27th birthday. Our innocence was shattered that day. On that day we learned bad things do indeed happen to good people. We learned that birth control has side affects besides mood swings and weight gain. In an instant we learned that the hormones contained in the Nuva Ring can cause blood clots that lead to pulmonary embolisms and stroke. But mostly on that day we learned how to survive together one step at a time.

It wasn’t until years later that I realized Sherri’s life changed on that day too. No one expects to get a text that their friend is in the hospital fighting for her life. Especially when she seemed perfectly fine when you last saw her. Yet Sherri, she got that text and my pulmonary embolism and stroke became hers.

She stood by me as I figured out my new normal, a normal that no longer includes running or strenuous workouts because of lung capacity. And then there is the choking on cold air which is slightly funny and not funny at the same time, because we live in Minnesota and it’s freezing nine month out of the year. Together we have figured out activities that I can do, like brunch! I’m really good at showing up late for brunch. Oh and camping! I can build a fire and cook over said fire like a champ. Mostly, when I get frustrated and mourn the body I once had, Sherri listens and asks me questions to help me realize that my new normal is much better than the old. In truth Sherri did what no one else did, She faced my problem with me, so I didn’t have to face it on my own.

Lord knows if it weren’t for Sherri, I would have ran away to Antarctica and I’d be searching for penguins to have a snow ball fight with. Which I’m pretty sure if I did make it to Antarctica and Sherri caught me in mid throw she’d look at me and say “lady,” with a WTF look and a head shake. No judgment would be passed, just a WTF look and a head shake. Because that is who Sherri is, she is someone who doesn’t judge, she takes on your problems as her own, then lays the unsugar coated truth down, and if necessary she will cut a bitch for you. And that is why she is my best friend.

Bonus… and because she accepts me for who I am, a swearing dinosaur obsessed sometimes tipsy woman with a multitude of bad ideas that we never execute (probably for good reason).

Last Minute Gifts for your Camping Obsessed BFF

Does your bestie love visiting state parks? Would she rather camp than sit in a swank hotel room? Can she light a fire like no buddy’s business? Can she cook over a fire like an Iron chef? Does she have tons of Gadgets that makes you feel like your glamping? Does she love a good roasted marshmallow along with her wine?

Well then! You’ve come to the right place! Let me help you find that perfect gift for your camping obsessed bestie.

Ozark Trail Teepee Tent

Walmart – Ozark Trail Teepee Tent – $56.00

Duraflame FireStart Cubes

Walmart – Duraflame Firestart Cubes $4.97

Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Amazon – Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – $26.99

Roast EM Marshmallow Sticks

Amazon – Roast’EM Rotating Sticks – $24.70

XO Champagne Marshmallows

XO – Champagne Marshmallows – $9.99

High-Powered Headlamp

Amazon – High-Powered Headlamp – $24.99

LED 1000 Lumen Lantern

Amazon – LED 1000 Lumen Lantern – $19.99

Outdoor Coffee Pot

Amazon – Outdoor Coffee Pot – $24.95

Thermacell Lantern

Amazon – Thermacell Lantern – $26.98

Handy Blue Tarp

Walmart – Ozark Trail Blue Tarp – $19.86

-AJ

Last minute gifts for your Travel Obsessed BFF

Is your BFF always on the go? Do you find it hard to schedule a brunch, because she’s always gone on the weekends? Will she try anything once? Does she live out of a suitcase? Does she run on hotel reservations and caffeine? Does she live by the phrase, “adventure is out there!”

Girl if you answered “yes” to at least one of the questions…….. I am here to help! Travel is my jam and over the years I have discovered products that ensure a quick getaway and make great gifts!

Vera Bradley Hanging Travel Organizer

Vera Bradley – Hanging Organizer – $80.00 (you can find them for cheaper at the Vera Bradley Outlet store. I repeat the outlet store is your friend!)

Vera Bradley Compact Hanging Organizer

Vera Bradley – Compact Organizer – $50.00 (you can find them for cheaper at the Vera Bradley Outlet store. I repeat the outlet store is your friend!)

Vera Bradley Weekender Bag

Vera Bradley – Weekender Bag – $150.00 (you can find them for cheaper at the Vera Bradley Outlet store. I repeat the outlet store is your friend!)

Dirty Bee Hair Care

Dirty Bee – Shampoo & Conditioner Bars – $25.99

Spongellé Travel Sponge

Spongellé – Travel Sponge Gift Set – $25.00

Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light

Amazon – Glocusent LED Neck Light – $18.99

Starbucks Instant Vanilla Latte

Amazon – Starbucks Instant Latte – $5.36

Starbucks Via Instant Pike Place

Amazon – Starbucks Via – $4.99

Addalock Travel Lock

Amazon – Addalock Travel Lock – $17.99

-AJ

Last Minute Gifts for your Beauty Guru BFF

Do you have a BFF who is always up on the latest and greatest beauty trends? Does she drive you nuts with her unsolicited skin care advice? Does she hold nothing back and tell you “girl that smokey eye has got to go!” Does she have every beautify subscription box known to woman kind on her doorstep!?

Then Girl! I’m here to help! I love this time of year! Tis the season for gift sets! The trick is you really need to evaluate and ask yourself “will this be useful to my bestie or will it collect dust for thirty years?” You don’t just want to buy a gift set to buy a gift set, make it personal and she/he will love you for it!

Raw Sugar Gift Set

Target – Raw Sugar gift set – $9.99

Best Gift Ever Skincare

Target- Best Gift Ever Skincare – $14.99

Best Gift Ever Clean

Target – Best Gift Ever Clean – $14.99

Best Ever Gift Box Men

Target – Best Ever Gift Box Men – $14.99

Dr Teals Gift Set

Walmart – Dr Teal’s Gift Set – $9.98

Love and Planet – In store purchase only

Walmart – Love and Planet Gift set – $9.98

Bath and Body Works Advent

Bath & Body Works – Gingham Advent Calendar – on sale $50.00

Ulta Daily Fix

Ulta – Daily Fix 6 piece set – $14.99

Nurtured By Nature

Ulta – Nutured By Nature gift set – $12.99

Treat Beauty

Treat Beauty – Treatment Stick Duo – $24.00

-AJ

Medical Conditions Holding You Back?

Hey there, I’m AJ and I love to travel. On the outside I look like a perfectly healthy traveler. In truth I have a few medical complications that can make travel a bit tricky, but totally doable. Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks to make traveling easier.

First, if you are traveling with someone be upfront about your medical condition and the limitations you may encounter. For me I am always upfront with my food allergies. That way if I get tipsy my bestie or my Dad can steer me away from the chocolate tequila and mushroom risotto. Don’t be afraid to speak up to waitstaff to let them know about your food allergies. You are not a Karen and they want to ensure you have an amazing experience at their establishment. Latex is my enemy and I’ve made it a habit to scan my accommodations to ensure there are no latex products in my room. If I do find latex products I asked that they be removed immediately.

Food, Environmental, and Latex allergies are not my only complication, I also have damaged lungs. Which means I don’t breathe like you do. A pulmonary embolism with infarction is what did my lungs in, I have 70% capacity in my left lung and 90% capacity in my right. Fun fact I choke on cold air, winter is no match for me. In summer, I choke on really humid air. I can’t win, I live in Minnesota, so I can’t win. Anyways, hiking is one of my favorite things to do during the warm months. For me it takes a little extra planning as I need to look at maps to determine the route. If there are to many hills, I pass. Sherri understands that my lungs are crap and will walk ahead. She knows I’m alive because she can hear my huffing and puffing my way up the hill. She also understands that we need to take more breaks than the average person. Which is completely OK! Don’t be embarrassed if you need to stop for a rest while hiking, you are out there doing it! So pat yourself on the back.

Allergies and damaged lungs are not my only woes. My bladder likes to throw a wrinkle in my perfectly crafted plan. I AJ have a broken bladder, which means I need to self cath. At first I was afraid to travel because who wants to be that 38 year old walking around with catheters in her purse. Not to mention the first time I flew with Catheters the TSA agent flagged my bag for inspection. I spent twenty minutes explaining to the agent and his supervisor that the box was filled with self catheters and not bomb supplies. Thankfully I put the invoice for the catheters in my carryon and presented it to them. The invoice convinced them and they let me go with my box of catheters in hand.

I called Carnival Cruise Line prior to boarding our ship to let them know I would have medical waste. Normally a self catheter can be thrown in the trash. But on a ship it needs to be placed in medical waste and not regular trash. So the cruise line ensured that a red hazard container would be in our cabins bathroom. And upon arrival the container was in our cabin’s bathroom. Our room steward never mentioned it to us and it was no big deal. Carnival deals with all kinds of guests with medical needs.

I’ve gone from cruise ship, to hotel room, to camp site and have not run into any issues with the disposal of self cathing supplies. Yes! I said camp site! Don’t be afraid of camping. The majority of state and national park camp grounds have modern toilets and in most bathrooms you can find a bio hazard disposal container. It’s usually bolted to the wall. If you don’t see one, done fret. You can dispose of the catheter in the regular trash or reach out to the Park Ranger to see if there is a preferred disposal method. If anything you can keep a ziplock bag in your car and dispose of the catheters/syringes or whatever supply you have when you return home.

When it comes to necessary medications, be smart and plan for the unexpected. If you have a controlled substance make sure it’s in the original bottle and have a copy of the script on hand, just in case TSA or authorities ask for it. You can fly with syringes/needles and a small lunch bag with an ice pack if meds need to be kept cold. Ask your doctor for a letter that lists out the injectable medications and that they need to be kept cool until you reach your destination. That letter will help you fly through TSA and will ensure you make your flight on time. You most likely won’t need it, but it’s good to have a little insurance policy in your back pocket.

I always bring more medication than I need on my trips. That way if there is a delay in my travel plans, I do not have to worry about running out of medication. And I cannot stress this enough!!! DO NOT PUT YOUR MEDICATIONS IN YOUR CHECKED BAG!!! Always always put them in your carryon!! There is no exceptions to this! If your bag is lost your medications are lost and it will cause you more stress than it’s worth. And it might ruin your vacation, because some meds are hard to get in foreign destinations. Especially controlled substances and injectables. So again play it safe, pack more than you need and put your meds in tour carryon!

Lastly, don’t be afraid to travel and don’t let the thought of traveling with a medical complication scare you. There is a whole big world out there waiting for you, so go on now, go out there and explore it!!

-AJ