This T1D went International

I did it! I successfully took a 2 week trip to Europe as a T1D! It is possible to travel long distances and fully enjoy your trips with a chronic illness! Let’s get into this!

In 2019, after our wedding in August, my husband and I took on Europe for our honeymoon. We were headed to Norway and Sweden for 2 weeks! This trip would be both of our first times out of the country. While we were very very excited, we were also extremely anxious. I was mainly worried about traveling that far, this being our first big trip with each other, and only being 2 years into having diabetes. I started mentally preparing for our trip months in advance!

Due to never being to Europe, we decided to use a travel agent! Our travel agent Jess, was amazing and very understanding with our circumstances! She suggested that we start in Norway and end in Sweden! She mentioned that both countries are very well known for their nature and beautiful landscapes. While we don’t mind being outdoors, we decided since this was our honeymoon, we wanted more of a relaxed trip rather than hiking and being submerged into nature. We decided in order to enjoy the landscapes these countries are especially known for, we would take a 7 hour venture on a train through the mountains of Norway. After almost a week of planning, our trip plans were sent to us. Our trip would look like this: Oslo (4 days), Bergen (3 days), and Stockholm (7 days)!

Planning so far in advance for this trip, I was able to make my diabetes packing a little easier than my previous trips. Traveling internationally put a damper on some of the previous ways I packed. I had to make sure I kept things more organized and properly stored for a longer period of time. I found a portable diabetes bag and insulin cooler! This allowed me to keep more diabetes supplies on board our flight with us and also a safer way to keep insulin cooler longer, than my typical baggies of ice ha ha. I am an over packer, one of my flaws with traveling; BUT, I’d rather be safe than sorry! This trip I packed the following things: all of my prescriptions from doctors, 4 boxes of Omni pods (5 each box), 4 vials of insulin, a box of Skin Tac wipes, alcohol wipes, 8 boxes of test strips, 1 package of ketone sticks, spare needles, and 2 tubes of glucotabs. I also packed my old pump/meter with a few spare supplies, just in case my Omnipod malfunctioned.

Once we got to the airport, we did the same things we usually do. I had all of my prescriptions and all of my supplies labeled in case we got questioned while we were abroad. Diabetes is pretty well known worldwide, so that made me feel a little better about traveling with any potential language barriers we might stumble upon. I put a little bit of supplies in each checked bag we had, just in case one of our luggage got lost or separated, I would have extra supplies for when we got there. I also put enough supplies for a site change a day, between my husband’s and my carry-on bags. This is for if I go low/high on board the plane and in case our luggage gets lost completely, I have stuff on hand! This trip we divided and conquered what things we were responsible for at each TSA checkpoint we encountered. My husband oversaw the carry-on luggages and I was responsible for my diabetes stuff and our passports while going through TSA.

After a 6 hour flight from USA to Paris, a slight lay over in Paris, and a 2 hour flight to Norway, we FINALLY arrived! All 3 security check points at the airport were very easy to navigate and we ran into no issues, especially regarding diabetes. They simply checked my supplies and sent it through the X-ray machine. They scanned/patted me down, asked to see my Omnipod and Dexcom sites, and sent me on my way!

This being our first time to Europe, I didn’t realize how much walking we would be doing. I knew they walked and took public transportation most places, but I didn’t realize they walk miles and miles a day! With the mass amounts of walking, different time zones, and weather, my blood sugars fluctuated drastically. I ran lower than I was use to 90% of the time. My husband and I always prepared and had a couple snacks on us while we were out during the days exploring. Being prepared for the longer days out and about made our trip easier and more enjoyable, especially for the 7 hour train ride we took from Oslo to Bergen Norway! The train was very easy to navigate. Our luggage was stored right next to our seats and there was a food car on the train. Once we got on the train, we checked out the food car and stocked back up on snacks/drinks. Sweden and the trip home were very similar to the things we did on our way to and in Europe!

While it seems all I do on trip blogs is reiterate how we travel with food/drinks and diabetes supplies, I promise this is only a little part of the story. Norway and Sweden are stunning and have amazing things to offer! We highly recommend this trip to anyone with or without a chronic illness! Do your research, have a game plan that works for you and simply take the trip! We will be taking on Europe again soon in the near future, this time as a T1D with a baby!