By Travis
Spouse of a patient with vEDS
My wife and I love to travel, but because she has vEDS, we need to make sure we plan well and take extra precautions. Below are some tips to help you prepare for a vacation, business trip, or wherever life takes you!
Talk to your doctors
When we were considering taking a cruise to the Caribbean, we told my wife’s vascular surgeon, and said we were worried about being away from the hospitals and doctors that were familiar with her condition. He gave us his cellphone number and said, “Go have fun. Live your life.” Those words weren’t magic, but I realized he was right. You have to be careful, but you have to live, too.
Research hospitals in the area
When we’re going on vacation, I always look up the closest trauma center from where we’ll be staying. If we’re going on a cruise, I’ll call and ask if there are physicians onboard, then research the hospitals at all the ports where we’ll be stopping.
Take all your information with you
When my wife went to Maine with her friends, I sent them a sheet with all her information, including her medical history and the facility they should take her to in case anything happened. Whether you’re traveling alone or with others, it’s a good idea to keep all your information in one place for easy access.
vEDS Travel Information Sheet
A helpful download form that stores all of your important information in one place for easy access.
