Traveling with Lupus: Lessons Learned and Loving the Love

Last year, way before my disability became evident, we received a wedding invitation to our close friends/family's wedding. We were super excited, but once my health took a turn for the worse, it was questionable if I could go. After being cleared by no less than SEVEN people, I was allowed to go as long as I promised to rest. Now, I've traveled a lot in the past and I always get sick b/c I don't follow doctor's orders. So how do you think I did this time?

Well, we know how good I am about my healthcare. Not great. But this time, I decided to follow all advice to the letter. I'm not playing around.


I went to the beach, slathered in sunblock, and played in the gulf. It was amazing. After 2 hours, I came back hungry and tired. So I ate, napped and woke up with hives all over my friggin triceps of all places. Thankfully, I was able to get some caladryl and cover my body with it. I also had some anti-anxiety pills that just so happen to have an anti-histamine effect. So I thought I was in the clear. I was, until I woke up with a migraine.

I skipped out on last night's festivities, and am feeling a bit sad about it, to rest. I felt/feel bad that I traveled all this way and am sleeping a lot, but I'm here for the wedding (today). I hope my presence is enough of a testament about how much I love and care about the couple. It's bad timing with all the stress I've been under.

Here's what I've learned in the short few days I've been here.

Lesson 1: Stay out of the sun.
Lesson 2: Bring anything you think you might need, including stuff you don't normally use, like calamine lotion.
Lesson 3: Listen to your body. Sleep as much as necessary.
Lesson 4: Do not sleep on hard pillows. They may just give you a migraine.
Lesson 5: Hide the tramadol.
Lesson 6: Enjoy the moments when you're feeling well enough to socialize, make the best of each moment and tell the folks you're with how much you appreciate them.

Life is challenging, even (or especially) when on vacation, but it's a life worth living when you get to revel in and celebrate love :).


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