I’m beginning to wonder why so many of my articles begin with song references these days. But, yet again, another tune is playing in my head. This time it’s Peter, Paul, and Mary with the classic:“My bags are packed, I’m ready to go…I’m leavin’ on a jet plane…”
In my case, I do know when I’ll be back again though. I’m traveling for work this week, to Vienna, Virginia (Washington, D.C.) for three days, and it’s the first time (a) I’ve traveled alone –or anywhere for that matter – since being diagnosed and (b) the first time I’ve flown since the big reveal. I’m both excited and nervous at the same time.
For years I had problems traveling. It all came out of nowhere. In fact, for 12 or so years now I was certain I suffered from panic disorder, mainly whenever I was to travel – whether by car or plane, whether for work or for fun. I would get terribly dizzy, suffering bouts with vertigo or motion sicknesses. I’d have hot flashes after the first indication of wooziness, and then a variety of other physiological symptoms would roll out. And, the vertigo/symptoms didn’t only happen while in movement mode. They sometimes would hit day two or three into a trip – out of nowhere. I became a miserable person with whom to travel. And, worse, I did begin to develop an anxiety issue related to travel. I started to avoid it at all costs, despite loving it at the same time. In fact, the vertigo and dizziness began to extend to areas outside of just travel situations. I began to suffer these “attacks” out of nowhere, usually in stressful situations, in situations where folks were really depending on me, in situations where I was frequently tired – often after long days at work. It was exhausting and eternally frustrating. (Starting to sound familiar)? After years of suffering, I began to try a variety of medications and relaxation techniques to take the edge off of the physiological symptoms.
Just last year I traveled to Tucson, Santa Barbara, New York City (twice), Las Vegas and Cancun. And on each trip (other than Cancun when the heat brought out some symptoms that later led to a full exacerbation), I didn’t have a travel problem at all. I had worked it all out. I had a system in place! And, then I was diagnosed with M.S.
It all makes sense now; the vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, all the goodies – all from the M.S. The rest of the physiological symptoms – I would say they were derivatives from the three above (the upset tummy, hot flashes, and even exhaustion). I now have medications to offset these major three travel “treats”; I have a year-long history of great trips behind me, so everything should be fine. But, I need to get through the “first time” all over again - -the first flight, the first busy schedule over three days, trusting the meds to do their thing, with the knowledge that I have M.S.
So kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you’ll wait for me (here in the Sunshine),
Hold me (in your thoughts) like you’ll never let me go.
‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again (ok, it’s midnight on Friday)
Oh friends, I hate to go. (But at the same time, I can’t wait)!
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
I’m beginning to wonder why so many of my articles begin with song references these days. But, yet again, another tune is playing in my head. This time it’s Peter, Paul, and Mary with the classic:“My bags are packed, I’m ready to go…I’m leavin’ on a jet plane…”
In my case, I do know when I’ll be back again though. I’m traveling for work this week, to Vienna, Virginia (Washington, D.C.) for three days, and it’s the first time (a) I’ve traveled alone –or anywhere for that matter – since being diagnosed and (b) the first time I’ve flown since the big reveal. I’m both excited and nervous at the same time.
For years I had problems traveling. It all came out of nowhere. In fact, for 12 or so years now I was certain I suffered from panic disorder, mainly whenever I was to travel – whether by car or plane, whether for work or for fun. I would get terribly dizzy, suffering bouts with vertigo or motion sicknesses. I’d have hot flashes after the first indication of wooziness, and then a variety of other physiological symptoms would roll out. And, the vertigo/symptoms didn’t only happen while in movement mode. They sometimes would hit day two or three into a trip – out of nowhere. I became a miserable person with whom to travel. And, worse, I did begin to develop an anxiety issue related to travel. I started to avoid it at all costs, despite loving it at the same time. In fact, the vertigo and dizziness began to extend to areas outside of just travel situations. I began to suffer these “attacks” out of nowhere, usually in stressful situations, in situations where folks were really depending on me, in situations where I was frequently tired – often after long days at work. It was exhausting and eternally frustrating. (Starting to sound familiar)? After years of suffering, I began to try a variety of medications and relaxation techniques to take the edge off of the physiological symptoms.
Just last year I traveled to Tucson, Santa Barbara, New York City (twice), Las Vegas and Cancun. And on each trip (other than Cancun when the heat brought out some symptoms that later led to a full exacerbation), I didn’t have a travel problem at all. I had worked it all out. I had a system in place! And, then I was diagnosed with M.S.
It all makes sense now; the vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness, all the goodies – all from the M.S. The rest of the physiological symptoms – I would say they were derivatives from the three above (the upset tummy, hot flashes, and even exhaustion). I now have medications to offset these major three travel “treats”; I have a year-long history of great trips behind me, so everything should be fine. But, I need to get through the “first time” all over again - -the first flight, the first busy schedule over three days, trusting the meds to do their thing, with the knowledge that I have M.S.
So kiss me and smile for me,
Tell me that you’ll wait for me (here in the Sunshine),
Hold me (in your thoughts) like you’ll never let me go.
‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again (ok, it’s midnight on Friday)
Oh friends, I hate to go. (But at the same time, I can’t wait)!
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)