No, I have not taken pictures of equipment, but I do take pictures of all my prescriptions, carry hard copies as long as the pix. Also a copy of the doctor's letter about where all the metal is in my body. This applies whether we are traveling in the US, Canada, Mexico or abroad. We have not had issues, but are quite a bit older this time, with all the fun that includes!

Our Europe trip is postponed to autumn as our hosts in Slovenia are preparing for their daughter's wedding and some "doctoring" and PT need to be done here so we can travel comfortably. We have not had an issue with language as I can get along in Spanish and my husband in German, both common alternative languages in Italy, Austria and Slovenia where we will travel, We look forward to using Google translate as well - it was in its infancy last time we were in Europe. I also think it will be a better time for Italy - when we were last there in August, daily temps often approached 100F and many buildings, including the pensions where we like to stay, do not have AC.

We will also be going back to Quebec to visit in September, so I am ramping up my French study - my grandmother spoke it almost exclusively in her last years, and my ear picks it up again - at least the most common terms and directions. Interestingly, English is less common there than in Europe, although the schools now require it again.

Back to lungs...whenever you get that "lump" in your throat, perhaps you could try a few sips of water or tea - warm or cold, to see if it helps you to bring it up? Do you use Mucinex or NAC to help thin your mucus?