I Am The Ouroboros, goo goo g' joob

It’s like this – I’m aggravated, worn out, and just generally annoyed as hell with this demi-invalid shit. I mean, it sort of feels like I’ve gone a bit Ouroboros-y.

That is, the less I go out because:

1. eww, people
    a. what if they accidentally bump into me and knock me over?
    b. what if they cough deadly germs on my immunocompromised self?
    c. what if they’re assholes?
2. staying upright is hard with all that wind coming off the water!
3. walking up hills is exhausting!

...the less inclined I am to go out.

So then, it's time for me to snap the fuck outta this funk! What’s the first step? Book a trip to Iceland. Of course. 

I know I talked about Jen and I possibly visiting her nephew in Helsinki next spring but I think I need something closer in time. My thought being, if the trip’s a year off, I’ll procrastinate prepping for it.

What’s involved in prep? I need to get out of the house and walk – work on my leg strength, endurance, balance, gait, and confidence. Right now, my exercise is primarily cardio, done on my recumbent elliptical. While this strengthens muscles and helps me build stamina, it’s not weight bearing and does nothing for my wonk-ass balance. I want to walk around as much as I can in Iceland – not be confined to a wheelchair.

So, Iceland is booked for November – right after the mid-term elections. Hopefully this will be a celebratory trip. I haven’t traveled in six or seven years so I’m not entirely sure what to expect. Things have changed for me. As I mentioned above, I'm in the demi-invalid ranks now.

I’ve got to bring a pill box with a dozen meds to be taken daily. Do I need to travel with my pills in their original bottles and packaging so it’s clear that I’m not not smuggling illicit shit? On quick googling, yes. That and much more. This could be quite problematic.

I need to:

Check Destination Laws: Contact the foreign embassy of your destination and any transit countries to ensure your medications are permitted.

Original Packaging: Keep all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled with your name, doctor’s name, and pharmacy information.

Carry Documentation: Bring a signed letter from your doctor listing all medications (generic names), dosage, and the conditions being treated. (THIS is going to be difficult to say the very least. There are more than a few doctors in the mix here.)

Carry-On Only: Pack all medications in your carry-on bag to avoid loss, and ensure you have enough for the trip plus a few extra days.

Declare Items: Declare all medications at customs upon arrival.

Good thing I'm the type to think way ahead – always looking for hurdles and potential roadblocks. It's gonna take me more than a wee bit of time and organizing to put together all the paperwork I'll need. 

Frankly, even with all the documentation, I'll be fearful that my meds will be confiscated. One of my pills keeps me from having nasty seizures. We're going to be in the middle of nowhere in ultra rural Iceland. Without that pill, I'm pretty much fucked. I'd truly hate to spend all this money just to have to turn around and come home because some customs official has decided to play officious asshole.

Of course, we'll be flying into Iceland NOT the US so odds are in my favor.

Next – how do I pack my rollator so it doesn’t get destroyed by the baggage handlers who stow it in the cargo hold? A quick googling turns up this info:

Walkers and rollators are typically transported as free checked baggage, usually through “gate checking,” where they are used up to the boarding gate or plane door and returned immediately upon landing

Booking & Notification: Inform the airline at least 48 hours in advance to pre-book assistance.

Gate Check Process: Upon reaching the gate, inform the agent you need to gate-check your walker. They will attach a tag, and you can use it down the jetway.

Preparation: Fold the frame and lower handgrips to the lowest position before turning it over to staff at the plane door.

Storage: If the device is small and the plane has space, it might be stored in the cabin closet, but typically it will be stored in the cargo hold.

Security: Walkers can go through security; if you cannot walk through the metal detector without it, request a manual pat-down. (Joy!)

Damage Protection: Use a padded bag to prevent damage from handling.

Where do I buy I padded bag for my rollator? Once again, google is my friend but this will take some investigation to make sure I get a padded bag that's the right size. Shopping online is convenient but also annoying as hell. I'd rather go into a shop and speak with a nice, knowledgeable salesperson. 

Do they exist anymore – shops and salespersons? I know, I know. If I ever left the damn house I would maybe know the answer to that.