“We interrupt this regular conversation of “LDS: Doom and Gloom” to cover the topic of bags. School bags, knapsacks, tote bags, purses, briefcases, fanny packs, crossbody bags, coin purses, and shopping bags. What do they all have in common? While bags vary in shapes and sizes, it is the contents inside that reveal what you need to know about a person. The truth will shock you! Tune in at 10:00pm tonight for more on this story”. – Fictional TV Anchor Host
While you may already be weirded out by the title and introduction of this blog post, I assume you know it relates to the difficulties of living with LDS. Albeit, not exactly a heavy topic, this one is more light-hearted and fun. Let me set the scene. For those who don’t know, LDS is categorized as a “rare genetic disorder of the connective tissue (the cells that support or connect different structures in the body)” (Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada, 2023). This manifests itself further into five categories of the body: cardiovascular; skeletal; inflammatory; respiratory; and ocular functions (Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation Canada, 2023). In simultaneously dealing with varying bodily systems, this requires constant up-keep in the form of tangible devices at hand. Are you getting it now?
Whether you’re a patient yourself, or a parent caring for your child with LDS, I’m sure you understand the struggle of packing essential (medical) items in a tiny (or perhaps slightly spacious) bag. Going for a walk? Don’t forget your inhalers! (effect on respiratory lungs and breathing). Leaving for a day outing? Bring Ibuprofen (Advil) in case of body aches! (effect on your muscles being inflamed). Going on an overnight trip? Pack your beta blockers in case anything happens to you! (effect on regulating cardiovascular needs). By far, the worse is air travel. In deciding what to bring to your vacation, you have to decide whether or not to leave that nice suit or that cute dress in exchange for your CPAP machine (a medical device that fights against sleep apnea (where breathing stops and starts in your sleep)). With a limit of 1 backpack, 1 hand carry, and 2 checked bags, is it truly enough for all the essential items that keep you alive and increase your quality of life to fit inside your luggage?
In my most recent trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, I was faced with this dilemma in what to pack in my bags, and funnily enough, my brother encountered a problem of what was inside his bag. Remember that CPAP machine I wrote about in the previous paragraph? Yeah…my brother was stopped by the Halifax Security Personnel (when flying back to Toronto) because of a “suspicious looking black bag” that was holding his portable breathing tube and tiny machine.
What was supposed to be a fun (work) trip was quickly reduced to a Random Screening Selection. While my brother didn’t find it amusing, I thought it was hilarious seeing the look of the Halifax Security Personnel treating the device as a bomb threat when in reality, my brother just needs the medical device to sleep. I guess you can’t blame Airport Security for doing their job, but it does bring up the interesting point if other people were to rummage through the contents of my bag.
Picture this. You see my walking across the airport, dressed like a celebrity/model, wearing a gold necklace and bracelet, and you see me sporting a black Lacrosse Body Bag filled with three deep pockets. Not too luxurious, but just enough to be considered a trendy sports brand, do I pull out A) the latest Apple iPhone and Air pods, B) my Louis Vuitton Wallet, or C) a pocket full of cash to pay for duty-free souvenirs? *cue Jeopardy waiting music*. The answer is None of the Above! Trick question! I’m actually busting out my entire medical cabinet to find just the right item I need. But that won’t stop be from wanting to be fashionable. And so, the moral of this story is simple: “Don’t’ just a book by its cover”, because I too am simply trying to enjoy life, expressing myself through fashion, all the while hurling around these essential items.
For a more in-depth list of what’s in my Lacrosse Crossbody bag during airport travel, see the following list:
- 1st Pocket: Passport and Face covering/mask (for Covid purposes and recent wildfire smoke in the air)
- 2nd Pocket: Prescribed medicine (Antiacids), Blue AND orange inhalers; Halls cough drops; Gravol tablets; Tylenol or Advil in a plastic Ziploc bag; Vaseline petroleum jelly; and hand-carry tissue
- 3rd Pocket: Hershel Wallet that cost $20 from Journeys that I have been using since 2017; pack of 5 (Spearmint) Gum; Loose change; and important receipts
And so, to end this segment, I must ask the audience to do their own version of show and tell. The next time someone asks you: “what’s in your bag?” Don’t just describe it to them, show them everything and relish in the LDS glory!
For more information of medical assistive devices and made-to-fit items to place in your bag, see the LDSFC website as well as these recommended sources.
~ What’cha Packing? ~