What Do I Need To Take?

The day after tomorrow, I leave for my trip to England to visit my sister.

I've done a fair bit of preparation ahead of time. One of the big things was going over to having my medications pre-packed by the pharmacy.

I also had my doctor write a letter for me to explain all of my drugs.  She's also given me sleeping pills, so that I will definitely sleep enough on the plane, and get sufficient rest while overseas so that I shouldn't get sick from being tired.

I've been back and forward to the shops over and over again.  I've got all my medication together with my letter from the doctor in a snap-lock plastic bag.  I've got all the liquid products I need to carry in bottles of less than 100ml, and all together in another snap-lock plastic bag.

I've weighed and measured my suitcase and carry-on bag.  I've been to the bank to get some English pounds. I've checked with my phone company about "global roaming", and decided just to buy a English sim card at the airport. (So, friends and family, my usual phone number won't work... but my email and Facebook and stuff should all be OK.)

Everything I can think of that needs to be done, I've done.

But as I'm packing, I'm struggling to make the final decisions: do I need to take my laptop, or can I live without it? I decided I would take it. Then I decided I didn't need it. Now I'm trying to remember why I'd earlier decided I would take it, just in case that was important.

Do I need my wheelchair?  I can get around without it. But everyone else has to slow down or wait for me. Is it more convenient if I take the chair and someone can push me, so I keep up with everyone else? Is it more convenient for them all to wait for me to hobble along, and not have to push me? With someone pushing me I can last longer at doing things before I need a rest. Will that make a difference for doing "touristy" things? As with the laptop, I've decided I need it and then decided I don't need it, then wondered if I do need it.

Should I take my tens machine? At least I'll take it out of the big case, and put it in my hand luggage.

At 9.15am on Thursday, the airport transport comes to pick us all up. Whatever the most recent decision is at that time is what I guess I'm doing.

Apology, if needed

This message (sender's name deleted) was sent to the Sometimes, it is Lupus Facebook account....

I can't believe you people call yourself christian and you denying other religion into your group telling them they make you sick the fact that they practice another religion ill like to know what kind of bible you own I tought this was a free religion country telling people tey make you sick because they pagan a real christian would try to convert you are out. Of respect sickness has nothing to do with religion, or gender, or color I hope you get hit so God doesn't preach that you are fully ignoran and stupid and you certainly not preaching the bible you are holy mother...

Now, while I don't make a secret of my personal faith, I certainly don't intend to disrespect anyone of any other faith.

The only thing I tend to censor as it comes into the Sometimes, it is Lupus social media pages or in comments on the blog, is when people give "advice" that suggests lupies should abandon their medical treatment (especially without consulting their doctors.)

While I was in hospital chaplaincy, I worked as part of a multifaith chaplaincy department, and I would hate to think I have disrespected anyone's strongly held faith.

If I have done so, I apologize unreservedly.