It’s vacation season!

Well, it depends where you are in the world. And when you read this. And what the weather’s like. Alright, it’s vacation season in some places – and let’s not allow our health to stop us travelling if we want to. There might be a few bumps in the road, a few obstacles to swerve around… but that’s European roads for you. So until they invent an app that tells you where your nearest toilet is worldwide (oh, there is – Toilet Finder and Flush both do something like this, though I’ve not used either, so don’t blame me if they just direct you to the nearest drainpipe), there are some other things that can help avoid a bumpy ride.

Firstly, where to? Personally, I’ve favoured vacation destinations near where I live, so if things go south (as in my health, not my plane), I can get to the comfort of my own bed/hospital bed in a few short hours, rather than wait for connecting flights from the Kazakh Steppe.

I’ve taken more adventurous vacations too, including Kenya, Bahrain. All are doable, just need a bit of extra care and attention. That means packing lots of caths (I have different ‘at home’ and ‘out and about’ caths, so pack plenty of both – but more ‘out and about’ ones, because I’m going sightseeing).

Travel insurance is a must. Some insurers won’t cover pre-existing conditions, but some do for a bit extra. Worth shopping around – but also worth being honest about our health conditions and making sure we get cover. Happy landings!

The opinions expressed here are of a personal and anecdotal nature, and are in no way a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your doctor or nurse if you have any questions.