Holiday Safety: Minimizing Risk to Maximize Memories

There’s a reason that holiday romantic comedies are notorious for building plots around problems from canceled flights and lost baggage to minor injuries: Art imitates life, at least to some extent.

And in real life, statistically speaking, a season known for heavy travel, traffic jams, and far more parties than usual is likely to include more mishaps.

Unfortunately, the events that lead to nothing more than quarrels, chemistry and a few moments under the mistletoe in made-for-TV movies may have more serious real-world consequences for people with bleeding disorders.

That doesn’t mean you need to stay home to stay safe, though. Planning ahead can help you not only avoid trouble but make sure you’re prepared to deal with the unexpected — from potential medication issues when luggage goes missing to injuries from slips on icy sidewalks and holiday stress.

Here are some tips to help you celebrate the holidays with a minimum of frustration and risk.

Getting Ready

• Be honest with yourself about what you can do comfortably. If you’ve been grappling with joint pain, you may not feel up to travel, so be honest with your family and friends about it. Video-call technology gives you a backup option for connecting with them long-distance.
• Make lists and schedule preventive care ahead of time. That will help you manage your time and avoid missing infusions or doctor’s appointments because you’re distracted by holiday prep work like gift-buying and party-planning.

On the Road

• Bring a travel letter from your hemophilia treatment center or health care provider if you’re flying out of town with a child who has a bleeding disorder. Though most medications and medical supplies are exempt from checked luggage and carry-on rules, your travel letter will show airport security officials that your carry-on treatment items are allowed. The letter should include:
  • The affected individual’s full name and diagnosis
  • The individual’s hemophilia treatment center or hospital as well as contact information for weekdays and weekends, in case of emergency
  • The individual’s treatment product and dosage
  • The individual’s insurance, subscriber, policy number, and group number
  • A warning that the treatment products and supplies cannot be opened for any reason since they will become contaminated and unusable
• When flying, keep medicine and infusion supplies in a medical carry-on bag. Never put medicine in checked luggage, which might get lost, and don’t forget to pack a sharps disposal container.
• Identify the closest hemophilia treatment center to your destination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of all treatment centers in the U.S., and your HTC can share information with the one closest to the area you’re planning to visit.
• Don’t neglect your treatment. Talk with your team to craft a medication schedule for your trip. Your providers may suggest changes to your routine based on where you’re going and the activities you have planned.

Playing Around

• Sledding/Tubing/Tobogganing
  • Talk with your treatment team about whether to adjust your prophylaxis or infusion beforehand.
  • Choose a commercial course rather than a local hill. It’s more likely to have safety provisions and to be accessible to emergency responders if they’re needed.
• Skiing
  • Since this activity can be tough on joints, work on strengthening them with a physical therapist beforehand.
  • Evaluate your balance and proprioception, your body’s sense of where your limbs are, before you start ski People with bleeding disorders may have trouble with both, which can make you more vulnerable to injury.
• Ice skating
  • Make sure your skates fit well so that they don’t put pressure on your joints.
  • Since this activity can be tough on ankles, consider working with a physical therapist to strengthen your ankles
  • Go skating at less crowded times to lower the risk of colliding with other people on the ice.

Coping with Stress

• Don’t look for perfection: Setting your expectations too high is a recipe for disappointment. It’s normal — and even healthy — for things not to turn out exactly as you planned, according to experts at the Johns Hopkins Mindfulness Program.
• Don’t lose sight of what matters. Remember that frustrations such as traffic jams or not finding the present your child wants are temporary. Rather than focusing on your annoyance, think of things you’re thankful for, the Johns Hopkins experts advise.
• Be kind. Responding thoughtfully to someone who’s irritable can defuse an unpleasant encounter. Remember, many people — especially those who are alone — find the holidays depressing. See if there’s a way you can brighten the season for them.