Your best traveling tips

@jodeej I would take alot of water and safe drinks . The phone in case someone wants to just say thanks for the inspiration. God bless jerrydrennan

Always carry hand cleaner! Slippers or flip flops, don't go barefoot.

@rosemarya I keep hand sanitizer in my purse! I didn't think about slippers or flip flops. I'm thinking about taking sanitizing wipes to wipe down the remote and bathroom counter. Is that excessive? Lol

@jerrydrennan good ideas! I always have my phone Incase someone wants to chat!

At your stage in post transplant, I say , "Go for it!"
I have a small travel size Lysol spray that I take in my suitcase. It comes in handy when I feel the need for extra safety.
Depending on the situation (an extended stay), I have been known to take a hand sanitizer with the pump dispenser, and kept it in a convenient place in the our motel room.
I encourage your husband to also carry his own sanitizer. Men are so lucky to have pockets in their pants!!!
And of course, take the meds on schedule - a pocket pill box and a bottle of water if you are on the road!

Jodee, Did you get a packet of information from the transplant dept when you were discharged? I think that there is a section about travel in it. I will hunt for mine after while and see what I find. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from our other members:-)

Here are a few suggested items:
1. List of phone numbers transplant clinic, etc. in case of emergency. If going far out of town the location of a near by transplant clinic where you will be located.
2. Masks for any crowded situations or when someone is coughing or sneezing near by and you can't relocate;
3. List of over the counter medications allowed if you should start feeling like your coming down with something;
4. Letter from your transplant clinic explaining your a heart transplant patient and traveling with medications (especially if some are liquids);
5. Portable urine container and a few depends, just in case. 🙂
6. Be mindful of eating out concerns: Try to not eat from the buffet, no lettuce or no undercooked eggs, seafood or meat.

Good luck on the trip!

I believe our donors helped us regain our health so we can live our best lives! My husband and I travel a lot (even to less than developed countries) and I have always been fine. Here are a few tips...

You can eat breakfast at most "make your own" buffets just choose wisely like toast or a waffle you cooked or anything sealed when you are in this country (yogurt, syrup, butter pats, a banana).

I agree with @rosemarya those little Lysols from the travel section go with us everytime. I hit the doorknobs, remote, the bathroom, pretty much the whole thing.

I travel with my own pillow - but I'm just a baby about it. 🙂

In resturant follow the transplant teams advice on well cooked food etc. Remember the dirtiest thing is THE MENU. yuck!

Handsanitizers are with with us constantly. Nothing beats hot soapy water.

If you are even going out of the country call the transplant nurses to find out what shots you should have, the transplant nurses know EVERYTHING or they'll dig untill they find you an answer. Love my nurses at Mayo.

We started traveling internationally when I was 5 months post transplant (kidney) with the blessing of the transplant team. We both wore masks in the airports and on the plane,

I always drink water bottles that were packed in the United States or Canada.

That's what I can think of for now. Go live your beautiful new life!

Jolinda

@rosemarya I'm sure we did, I'll have to look for it. I need to get some masks for just Incase purposes, but I don't know if I'll be able to get my husband to wear one. We've got pill boxes and our water bottles go with us everywhere!

Hey @jasgto welcome to Connect. I see that this was your first post. Nice entry into the community with such great information.

We look forward to getting to know more about your. Are you a heart transplant recipient? I invite you to tell us your story in this thread:
- This and That and Talk - My Transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/this-and-that-and-talk-my-transpant/

Hi Colleen, Not much to tell except that I got my heart transplant later in life and have been very fortunate with great support. When I hear what others have gone through (and are going through) I know I have been blessed with just the usually problems from immunosuppressants and old age. 🙂 John