How We Live

 

 

travel - near and far

 

TRAVEL BY CAR

1. When you are planning to travel by car, you might want to consider the following list of "items and hints" to make your trip a little easier and enjoyable. Besides the usual things everyone puts in the trunk of the car or glove box (road maps etc.), We laryngectomees need to add to our wardrobe and toiletries. Of course we know to bring our "every-day" items but you might want to bring the following with you in the car:

2. A small misting/spray bottle, filled with clean water, to spray the stoma or stoma cover to provide humidity. It can also be useful for cleaning hands or face, while on the road.

3. A roll of paper towels is handy and better for stoma cleaning than tissues since there is not as much fuzz. I like select-a-size.

4. The basics, a pad of paper and a pen, just in case your other method of speech fails or it is too noisy to talk.

5. A hand held mirror, normal view on one side and magnifying on the other. This could be particularly helpful when lighting is not great and you want to check your stoma.

6. A small cooler with some water bottles, especially for those of us who had radiation, to combat the coughing spells.

7. A thermos of hot coffee if that helps coughing better than cold water.

8. Cough drops or candy mints.

9. Have a kit containing the supplies you use to take care of your laryngectomy needs right near you so it is easy to grab on stops along the way. These supplies will vary. One kit might have a zip type bag containing: tweezers, pen-light, q-tips, humidity filters, extra stoma cover, while another has a plastic box with small magnifying mirror, TEP cleaning brush and syringe/pipette, and another might be sure to have an extra Servox battery and saline solution. Note what you use at home for everyday care and have it with you.

10. The rest of your equipment can go in your luggage. Some of the things you might want are extra scarves, stoma covers, extra batteries, battery charger, complete TEP prosthesis kit with K-Y and gel caps, tape, small scissors, bright light, mirror on stand, peroxide, extra stoma vent or button and anything else you might need.

 

TRAVEL BY AIR

1.  No special problems with flying except the air is very dry so drink lots of water, keep your stoma cover moist with a little spray/mist bottle and don't try to talk much over the noise. Several of our members recommended a nasal spray bottle as a good way to to counter de-hydration on the aircraft, although this can be overcome by using bottled water and a handkerchief.


2.  Many of us fly all the time and have never bothered to use these information sheets but, it is a good idea to have one of the orange emergency cards with you, flying, riding, or walking! Do what makes you comfortable:

Information Sheet

I thought I'd share a hint that we've used for my husband when we travel by air. We prepared an information sheet which we give to flight attendants when we board the plane, and we request that they read the information and ask us if they have any questions. The sheet says:

"Passenger xxx [name] in seat #xxx is a laryngectomee.

Please be aware of the information below in case of emergency.

I am a total neck breather—no vocal cords.

1. I breathe ONLY through an opening in my neck; NOT through my nose or mouth.

2. If there should be an emergency which requires that passengers receive oxygen, the oxygen supply must go to neck opening—not nose or mouth.

3. If I have stopped breathing, remove anything which covers the opening in my neck. Expose entire neck.

4. Keep neck opening clear and protected from liquids.

5. Resuscitate with air or oxygen to neck opening, or use mouth to neck breathing. Close off nose and mouth while doing this.

6. When I start to breathe again, use oxygen supply to neck opening ONLY."

This is followed by an explanation of TEP emergency care such as the information given on the Orange cards, but that section would be different for users of EL's or for esophageal speakers.

While it would not be quite as comprehensive, you could copy both sides of your laryngectomy emergency card onto a sheet of paper and use that for your handout

 

travel hints from our members

 

PILLOWS FOR COMFORTABLE TRAVEL

For travel pillows and wedges, check in our Everyday Living Section

 

FINDING POWER

Bring a UL rated extension cord for use in the motel room or in case you need to stop someplace and borrow an electric outlet.

 

CONVERTER

I have a machine called a DC to AC inverter which when plugged into a cigarette lighter in the car inverts 12 volt system in the car to 120 volt AC . You just plug your electric appliance into the inverter and it works. I've had mine for years, and it really does work. Mine is made by Tripp Lite, 500 N. Orleans, Chicago, Ill. 60610. It's been so long ago I have no idea what I paid for it. I don't know who handles them, but I'd sure try Radio Shack.

(Bernie Mellecker)

 

INVERTER FOR VEHICLE

You can buy an less costly inverter that plugs into a lighter outlet in your vehicle. They are available from Pep Boys, Auto Zone and similar stores. I bought 300 Watt model which has 2 110 volt outlets. I use it to charge my electric scooter and have another plug available for a small TV or my Servox if I ever need it.
(Roger Jordan)

 

TRAVELING IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Three or four years ago while on a visit to England I was using a Servox Speech Aid. The battery charger was rated US Domestic Supply, 110volts, while the UK system delivers 240volts. My son did me a favor and plugged in my battery charger direct to the wall supply, WITHOUT USING THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER. The charger blew out, so I was left without a means to charge my batteries. We could find nowhere to have the charger repaired, so what could I do? The answer was to find a local hospital with the facility to help a Laryngectomee. I found one in a nearby town and they gladly lent me a charger (240v's) for the remainder of my stay. A Laryngectomee should be aware of the facilities available in the location being visited, bearing in mind that electricity is not always delivered at the same voltage as ours. Consult the IAL Web Site for information on foreign clubs, that is where you can "local information". (Frank Morgan)

 

SERVOX

FYI...Siemens offers 12 Volt chargers with 2 different power supplies. One supply, the 110V, is for the home. The other supply, the 12 volt, is for one's vehicle. Both power supplies can be bought together or separately, depending on your need. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 12 volt charger is $220.00. The MSRP for the power supply is $13.00. The cost to have a 110V charger converted to a 12 volt charger is approximately $50.00. Please contact your Servox distributors for exact pricing.

 

A SPARE ELECTROLARYNX

It would be wise to have a spare electrolarynx that uses a 9v battery which can be bought anywhere worldwide. The other choice is to purchase an adapter from Lumanaud that replaces the bottem cap of the Servox and replaces the Servox battery with a regular 9v battery.

PORTABLE SUCTION MACHINES

There are portable suction machines. One operates on 110v AC power at home or has an optional power kit/battery pack (sold separately) that enables the unit to be used in your car or anywhere. Even the recharger is built in. (See Bruce Medical in Section 5 Med.)

About suction machines. I use the Vacu Aid. It operates off AC until I unplug the AC line from machine, at which time it automatically converts to DC. All that is needed in a small container of water to flush the intake tube. Mine was provided by Lincare and Medicare pays for it. I hope this helps someone, it has been a great help to me.

(Dick)

 

VAPORIZER/HUMIDIFIER

The purchase of a small, steam vaporizer (found in most drug stores for $20 or less) can help solve humidity problems while staying in hotels.  Run the shower for a few minutes and leave the bathroom door open. Leave the steaming water in the tub for a while.

 

PERSONAL ALARM

Also consider a "personal-attack" alarm. This is a small but loud device sold at most electronic stores. Since we can't scream for help, if we get lost in the woods or attacked on a subway, this may be the most important thing you carry with you..

 

FRIENDS EVERYWHERE

There are enough members in WW and enough IAL clubs that a traveler can have almost portal to portal emergency numbers to call. If a person is traveling by car or is going to a location they are not too familiar with, post a short message or look up members/clubs and contact them for names and numbers that may help the traveler in emergencies.

 

EMERGENCY CARDS

 

Emergency Cards to carry with you are available free from the IAL in English and Spanish. If you plan on traveling abroad to a Spanish speaking country, or any place with a high Spanish-speaking population, the Spanish Emergency Cards are recomended.

 

 

Windshield Stickers are available free from the IAL. They can be used on automobile windows and windows in the home to give life saving information to emergency personnel. They are available in both English and Spanish.

 

 

 

For suggestions, contributions or questions about this section, please contact:
Ed Chapman, VP Web Site Information

Len Librizzi, Webmaster