train travel and pain and self inflicted needless anxiety

February 26, 2008

I have to travel back down to Texas again as my son is not well. That

requires going through at least 4 states. I just did that a month or

so ago and traveled by car, train and then plane. That was pretty

rough and I ended up in a flare. This time I'm just taking the train

but it's a 24 hour trip and I have a coach seat - can't afford a

sleeper berth.

I'm trying to arm myself with comfort items so I don't end up in a

flare after being in a seat for so long. I know I can get up and walk

around - there is a dining car and a lounge that you can walk to but

it's still a long time to sit. Can't take a heating pad as I won't

have access to an electrical outlet and I doubt if they will let me

use an of the dining car microwaves to heat up my heat packs (probably

for policy or safety reasons). So I'm thinking about some of those

thermacare patches. Also taking a small pillow and blanket and of

course, pain and anxiety meds.

Because I'm anal, I'm starting to worry about flaring- which of course

WILL make me hurt because I'm going to cause myself to tense up

needlessly. I tend to worry a lot about things I have no control over

and I really need to calm myself down.

I am looking forward to being with my son for three weeks - but this

stupid worrying is putting a damper on things.

Anybody have any advice on train travel or what to do so I stop

spinning out about the travel part of this trip?

Teri (central Wisconsin)

February 26, 2008

Teri, I go thru the same thing and it's usually for not. Think of the good

things and take a good book or whatever and try to relax. /And of course take

you med's. I've had some much anxiety and stress with depression that I had to

do something or have another heart attack. this group has helped me so much.

Just do what you need to do and try and stay calm and think positive. You are

in my prayers and may God bless.

Little

LINDA

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

February 26, 2008

>

> I have to travel back down to Texas again as my son is not well. That

> requires going through at least 4 states. I just did that a month or

> so ago and traveled by car, train and then plane. That was pretty

> rough and I ended up in a flare. This time I'm just taking the train

> but it's a 24 hour trip and I have a coach seat - can't afford a

> sleeper berth.

>

.. Can't take a heating pad as I won't

> have access to an electrical outlet and I doubt if they will let me

> use an of the dining car microwaves to heat up my heat packs

(probably

> for policy or safety reasons). >

>

Teri, I guess back in the days when I took the train to So. Illinois

from Chicago, I did have an advantage as my ex was in management with

what was then the Illinois Central. Over the years, I got to know the

crew that were on the train from Chicago to the Champaign/Urbana stop

and those guys really treated me well. Of course, if my husband was

waiting for me when I made the return trip, they would tell him such

things as " Why did you send you wife off with out any money? She was

panhandling all the way to Champaign! " So, depending on how the crews

are on the train or connections you have to make, I would see if I

could strike up a conversation with one of the conductors. (and if

you can, get them to introduce you to the next crew --- they all

change after so many miles/time; but you might find that they would

help you with using the microwave ovens, etc. But I always found it

fun to travel and depending on how many passengers are on the train,

you might just find a few ways to spread out more so that you can get

the rest you will need. Also, I would do alot of walking -- that can

help.

But for me, as the wife of an railroad manager, I did get good

treatment but part of that is because I never meet a stranger! One of

the conductors and I were even plotting on one trip how we could get

my husband killed while travelling on company business because he had

just gotten his annual statement of what his retirement, survivors

benefits and the extra life insurance while travelling on company

business. We were going to run off and spend the money but then we

had the big problem of how he was going to be able to go home to his

wife once we ran out of money --- that was dangerous as she was the

Amtrack Manager at Union Station in Chicago.

So one of the tricks is to find out what car they are riding in and

find a seat near where they all gather --- once they have checked the

tickets, etc., they have one spot (or they did) where they all gather

to take care of their paper work, and they can be very helpful. I

even road one time seating next to one of my former professor's when I

made the return trip from Carbondale to Chicago --- that was

interesting. But then, as I said, I seldom meet a stranger. So, I

might even ask them if there is a way you could get one of the heat

wraps microwave.

Or call Amtrak and ask what kind of services they have for someone who

has a " handicap " .

Wait a minute --- do they still have outlets in the restrooms? I seem

to remember there might have been one so that the male passengers

could shave if they were taking a long trip

February 26, 2008

Safe trip,May the Lord be with you as you travel.And your son is in my prayers.

Cheryl

wrote:

>