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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Be prepared with a traveling kit.


See this outgrowth from the big log? It reminds me that strange things can happen to you at the most inopportune moments.
My husband's first visit to a doctor after we retired occurred as a result of us not being prepared. We had gone out to eat at a seafood place in Florence, Oregon, with the entire family. Seeing that oysters were fresh and reasonably priced, he ordered and consumed way too many of them, in various combinations.  By bed time, his face had begun to change shape, growing unusual protrusions and changing colors.  He was having a mean allergic reaction and we rushed to the hospital.

There, he spent a night being cared for, medicated and watched over.
Since then, he has given up oysters, but I still carry something in my purse for such an eventuality.

Back pain, allergies, headaches and stomachache can interfere with your daily life away from home.
So, what do I carry in my purse at all times?

Always:
1. Aspirin
2. Benadryl for allergies
3. A list of medicines and doctors
4. A snack
5. A water bottle

Sure, the car has a first aid kit too. But, I could be stuck on an elevator, and having an aspirin, a snack and water can sure make my/his wait for help a lot more enjoyable.
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37 comments:

  1. Rosaria WilliamsJuly 17, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    In my bag, I carry an additional wallet,RED, with just the medical information. That way, it is easy to pull out when needed.

    I bet there is an app for the new phones to carry all this info with you without any paper.

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  2. DonnaJuly 17, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    WOW!! I knew you were smart but your carry list is remarkable!! I carry a med list for my husband and his parents as well as medical history and think I am doing well. You had to be a girlscout...always prepared!!! Have you heard that Bayer is putting out a new asprin that is to go under your tongue for quick absorbtion? It is to come in individual foil packets for easy carrying. I'm going to get some AND a red wallet...thanks for the ideas!!

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  3. JoaniJuly 17, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Great post Rosaria. On your cell phone you can put ICE (in case of ememrgency)and put the phone number of your contact. I always carry diarrhea meds, indigestion meds, migraine meds, and an epi pen for allergies that can't wait anyone such as bee sting and etc. The history I haven't thought much of....I tend to think when it's my time it isn't going to matter what I'm doing or who I'm doing it with...It's gonna happen. Have a great day. We're having horrid HEAT.

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  4. Brian MillerJuly 17, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    wow yeah better to be prepared...wish i would have been more prepared for the chiggers yesterday...

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  5. Rob-bearJuly 17, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Good plan, Rosaria. Got me thinking.

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  6. BernieJuly 17, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    This is a great idea. I have the Benedryl and a Valium to handle a crisis which really was invaluable when Bill had his TSA at a St. Olaf Christmas Concert (for me. that is)

    I think I will get together some other emergency stuff and keep it in a separate container like Rosaria does.

    Great topic. Useful info.

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  7. dsJuly 17, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Great idea, rosaria. Smart, smart, smart.

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  8. Terra July 17, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Wow, so you can suddenly develop an allergic reaction to oysters, after decades of no problem? I did not know that. Thank goodness your hubby is ok, and you are very prepared now.

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  9. UnknownJuly 17, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Wow! Excellent plan! Thanks for the idea!

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  10. Jocie's MomJuly 17, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    That's me when it comes to red wine. Good kit :)

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  11. kenjuJuly 17, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Good advice!!

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  12. Arkansas PattiJuly 17, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Me too. It only takes one time for me to need some sort aid for me to be prepared for that event the next time.
    I even carry an eyeglass repair kit.

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  13. AnonymousJuly 17, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Well said. I'm all for being prepared, especially if I travel any distance with my daughter. I have lots of stories about needing help away from home!
    Ann Best, Memoir Author

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  14. Rosaria WilliamsJuly 17, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Donna, thanks for the info about Bayer.

    Pat-Yes, i do have ICE on my cell phone. In fact, when I selected my model, I chose one with two extra buttons, one for emergency, and one for contact info.

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  15. முத்துலெட்சுமி/muthuletchumiJuly 17, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    You are right.
    This holiday we visited USA. There my little kid got rashes on his cheeks after we eat at a Thai restrant.

    Then we bought the benadryl from the walgreens pharmacy.Thank God we found it nearby.

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  16. Dr. Kathy McCoyJuly 17, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Wonderful advice, Rosaria! I'm getting my purse/travel kit organized today!

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  17. DianeJuly 17, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    I certainly never go anywhere without headache tablets and also ones for allergies. I also wear a bracelet which caries what I am allergic to on it. Diane

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  18. SGJuly 17, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Very useful tips. It has made me decide on an emergency kit I should be carrying always in my purse.

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  19. rjerdeeJuly 18, 2011 at 2:57 AM

    The oyster experience must have been life-changing! Living on the edge, you are...but appropriately ready for anything!

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  20. UnknownJuly 18, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    Great list Rosaria. I just make sure I have a bottle of antiacid pills because it can strike suddenly and hurt something awful.

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  21. cheshire wifeJuly 18, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    That's good advice. There is nothing worse than being away from home and not feeling well.

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  22. A Cuban In LondonJuly 18, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Forewarned is forearmed. Good on you.

    Greetings from London.

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  23. A Cuban In LondonJuly 18, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. How rude of me!

    The beautiful dancer is from the Alvin Ailey company, one of my favourite dance troupes ever. They're based in New York. :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  24. DimpleJuly 18, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Good ideas. I never considered the doctor/medication list before...

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  25. TomJuly 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Thanks for the helpful list. I'm going to make up my first aid kit right now.

    Don't forget the bandaids

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  26. UnspokenJuly 18, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    OMGosh that is scary. I need to get some Benedryl on hand. I think I will do a car kit too. Good idea!!

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  27. yayaJuly 18, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Good ideas Rosaria! We also have a 72hr. kit that we can grab if we have to leave home in a hurry. It has many of the items you mention as well as easy foods to prepare. It's amazing what you can put into that and it's not too heavy or bulkie.

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  28. RNSANEJuly 18, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Nurse that I am, my carry along med list includes your items...benadryl, eye drops for eye emergencies, aspirin, antidiarrheal medicine, meclizine for travel sickness/nausea/vertigo,
    MD phone numbers, insurance cards and numbers, Tums, etc. Usually, I end up giving them to other people who need them!

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  29. CloudiaJuly 19, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    LOL- Yes!



    Aloha from Waikiki;


    Comfort Spiral

    ><}}(°>

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  30. SuzJuly 19, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    you are singing to the choir on this one
    I carry all that and more
    ...you never know
    I can't count on how many times I've saved people with my bag of tricks
    My daughters just laugh....we'll see in 20 years whose laughing..God willing

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  31. Cheryl CatoJuly 19, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    I like the idea of the phone app to carry the info. I do have a "note" app that should do the trick.

    Pity your husband had an allergic reaction to the oysters. I love raw oysters, but have them only on occasion because like all shellfish they are loaded with cholesterol of which I don't need!

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  32. Amanda SummerJuly 19, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    this brings out the minnesota raised girl in me. i never traveled anywhere in my car without jumper cables, a bag of sand and de-icer, not to mention extra outerwear and a blanket. and an emergency flash in the glove compartment.

    nowadays we all have cell phones in case of an emergency. but i like your idea of taking a snack everywhere.....

    ;-)

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  33. Sally WesselyJuly 19, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Thanks for the advice. I usually have most of those on me in case of emergency, but just when one needs something, that is when it is remembered that the resources have not been replenished. I like the red wallet idea.

    I remember when my dad was alive, I also made sure I had band-aides. His skin was so thin from aspirin therapy that he bled if he barely scratched himself.

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  34. Sally WesselyJuly 19, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. PseudoJuly 19, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    You have more common sense than most people. Great advice.

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  36. Step-parent's CoveJuly 20, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    Great advice!

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  37. #1NanaJuly 20, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    I had to chuckle at this post. I've been with my granddaughters for the past two weeks and my purse is heavy with the emergency essentials. In addition to your suggestions I've got wipes and bandaids. So far the only one of us who needed bandaids was Nana because of new sandals. I'm restocking the snacks on a regular basis.

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