The Social Aspect of Traveling

[MeghanRF]

Thanks everyone!

I'm taking 2 main things from this:

1) Getting over the unnecessary embarrassment!

I think this might really have to my other inclinations to not want to inconvenience people, as well as not wanting to wear the mask and do that whole thing in front of people. Time to get over it, and you all are right. It educates people, it may inspire others to either check in to having sleep apnea, or wear the mask and such themselves. And do I really want to be hanging out with anyone that would have a problem with me wearing the mask? No way!!! Okay, I'm going to have to do if for no other reason than getting over my "issues."

2) Preparation

I will take all your recommendations and get my traveling with cpap plan in order. So next time it's not time to pack up and I'm like... ah, what do i need? How do i carry all this stuff? Ah, i give up. I'll get it all in order so I'm prepared and ready to go. Now that I know what sleeping with the mask is like, I just can't even handle the idea of one night without it.

This leads me to a question... anyone have a reference for using a battery? i.e. where to get it? where to put it? what kind? etc...

Thank you to all! This has certainly given me compassion for others that face medical conditions such as diabetes or cystic fibrosis. In fact, I am in such awe of people living with cystic fibrosis, complete and udder admiration and awe. It's time for me to proudly take care of myself everywhere I go!

<3

[DocWeezy]

Good for you, Meghan! Go for it!

I had my first "social" trip with my cpap a few weeks ago--to a stitching retreat where there were about 8 people together in a cabin. I roomed with a friend who knows about "Darth," and was not surprised to discover that another woman in the house had a cpap and everyone else seemed to someone who used one!

My cpap was the topic of conversation because...silly me....I packed everything except the power cord! And I was so darned careful! But I use my travel machine as my nap machine, so it wasn't completely packed up, and I just forgot the stupid cord. Drove home 2.5 hours that night to get it. Went back to the beach the next morning. Everyone was very understanding and in the bigger group (there were about 40 of us), when someone found out about my driving home the previous night, they all had to tell me their own cpap stories or stories of a friend or relative who has one. I was surprised at how many people know about them.

The bottom line is: you having a cpap makes you even more cool and definitely special!

Weezy

[Uncle_Bob]

I'm sorry you feel that way
I'm proud of my machine, it gave me my life back
I'd make everyone else jealous they didn't have one on their nightstand

[carbonman]

CPAP-going far beyond the mechanics of
blowing air up your nose.

Okay, I'm going to have to do if for no other reason than getting over my "issues."

It's a journey into ourselves,
to help us learn who we are and
what we are about.

It's time for me to proudly take care of myself everywhere I go!

To help us learn what our strengths and weaknesses are.
To help us learn what our limitations are.
.....and in the end, how to use those strengths to overcome
the weaknesses.....how to go beyond our limitations and
expand our horizons.

Be a warrior!
Be proud!

[archangle]

Good luck finding the electrical outlet on an Amtrak train

Not all of us are from the US .... but I enjoyed my trip with Amtrak between Washington DC and Chicago and from Chicago to Emeryville in a roomette and had an accessible plug and an excellent quality of sleep!

Yes, the roomettes are great. Finding the one or two plugs per car and getting access in "regular" class is another thing entirely.