<p class="msonormal">Hello Everyone!
<p class="msonormal">Well, I know I wasn't on the list but I am who
has been away due to two vacations back to back (one to Italy and
the other to a local retreat get away) and because we were
reorganizing the study our computer was off line for a few
days. And today we brought our oldest back to college (a
junior this year) early with a van load of stuff as he has required
training for a position that he accepted. His sister will be
joining him (a sophomore) in two weeks.
<p class="msonormal">A big thanks to those who made
suggestions which made my trip to Italy more enjoyable. We
had a connecting flight in Germany and the security there was a
nudge about my nebulizer. Even though I had my doctor notes
and they scanned everything they stilled pulled me aside to a
separate room and did a scan of the machine (looked like just a
piece of paper that they were running all along the machine.
But finally I got the go ahead to meet up with my family and we
were off to make our connecting flight to Rome.
<p class="msonormal">My doctor and I discussed taking the Vest but
with all the walking I was going to be doing and with my flutter
and acapella choice on hand we agreed to leave it home.
<p class="msonormal"> The airport in Frankfurt was thick with
smoke. Yucky!! After arriving in Italy, which turned
out to be during a heat wave, I discovered that my inspiration
nebulizer, even with the appropriate European plug attachment and
transformer was working very poorly. Amy's voice kept popping
in my head saying, "You are not getting your medication to
your smaller airways with this low power. You better get
another machine otherwise you are wasting your time and money on
these treatments and your health will deteriorate." So we went
the very next day to the local pharmacy, (thank you Amy for being
my conscience) and with a little Italian, English and lots of hand
motions I ended up purchasing a new one. This one did the job
very well. And at a cost of 65 American dollars it was well worth
it.
<p class="msonormal">So with that behind me and my endless supply
of disposable neb cups and refrigerator to keep my meds cool I
thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Italy, especially our time in
Vatican City. There is just so much art, history and culture
to absorb. The downside was that is seems so many people
smoke. And they smoke everywhere especially when they are
eating. And of course you have mopeds and little itsy bitsy
cars (smart cars) driving right past you as you are sitting at an
outdoor caf?. It really is quite funny to see how these
vehicles can squeeze in anywhere and everywhere.
<p class="msonormal">Another downside was the lack of air
conditioning. Not the hotel but just about everywhere
else. Even taxi's that had air conditioning either used it on
the lowest setting or not at all. We had to beg for it to be
turned on or up. Many restaurants, museums, and other
building just didn't have it or they had portable units that just
didn't do much good in the intense heat and humidity Italy was
experiencing.
<p class="msonormal">Overall though, I was very pleased how I was
able to tolerate that kind of weather and walk here and there all
day long. Wearing large sunglasses and sporting an umbrella
for some sun protection did help. I did, Laura bring
antibiotics just in case but boy am I glad I did not need them as
it would have been nearly impossible to avoid all sun. And
that can cause a nightmare of a reaction, one I have experienced
before and never want to again. Nighttime was not bad to be
out and about so that was at least a break from the relentless
heat.
<p class="msonormal">We ate lots of gelate to keep cool and drank
water practically all day long.
<p class="msonormal">Coming home I decided to pack my two
nebulizers in the suitcase that was to be checked in because I
didn't want the hassle of being stopped in Germany again as we only
had 40 minutes to make our connecting flight. After all what would
be the chance that our luggage wouldn't make the connecting
flight? Well, it seems half the people on our plane did not
have there luggage make the connecting flight and my suitcase was
one of them. Actually 2 of our 5 suitcases didn't
make the flight. So we waited an hour on a line once we
landed to fill out paperwork and by the following evening they hand
delivered our 2 suitcases to our house. Whew! I was
glad to recover them. I did have a pari trek at home to use
in the meantime. I know Amy, it's not approved for Pulmozyme
but desperate times call for desperate measures and it was only for
two treatments.
<p class="msonormal">All in all our 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary
trip to Italy with our 3 children was very memorable. We took about
4,000 digital pictures between everyone's cameras. Isn't that
insane! If anyone is thinking about going all I can say it
"go." There is just so much to experience
there.
<p class="msonormal">It was nice to get back to America, the land
of smoke free airports and very cold air conditioning. I will
never again complain that the air conditioning is too cold anywhere
again.
<p class="msonormal">I think this post is long enough, probably too
long and if you made it to the end all I can say is thanks for
hanging in there. I thought of you all often and hoped you
were doing well. It will take me some time to catch up on
posts but I am looking forward to that. I really learn so
much for all your experiences and I appreciate how you all share so
willingly. I consider you all friends.
<p class="msonormal">In closing I just want to wish everyone a Very
Happy 10<sup>th</sup> Anniversary. This is quite a
milestone. Thank you to those who work hard keeping this
website going so that we cfer's along with our family and loved
ones can come together. <br>
Cheers!