A canary’s vacation to the Dominican Republic

Posted on Feb 20, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, Franny Armstrong, Leisure, MCS

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was wonderful, but along the journey we sucked in a ton of diesel fumes.

Post by Franny Armstrong.

Not as pretty as it looks; boats give off fumes.

Not as pretty as it looks; boats give off fumes.

My trip to the Dominican Republic was wonderful. I’m paying the price now but in the long run, I believe it was worth it. Even I have to come out of my cave now and then.

~~~

The Dominican Republic is a beautiful island full of lush green grasses, trees, and greenery that takes your breath away (literally). The poverty was stunning, yet the people were kind, happy, and welcomed you with a smile or an “ola, mi amiga.” A twenty year old man sat next to my husband and I as we drank a beer each. Hubby bought the man one and I conversed with him, me with my minimal Spanish, he with his minimal English. It was fun to chat with him. After he told Dan and I we were old enough to be his parents, he gave me his phone number. LOL I guess I’m like a fine wine or an old cheddar, still kicking! HAHAHA

Smoggy street

Smoggy street

~~~

Along the journey we sucked in a ton of diesel fumes. There is no monitoring of exhaust in DR. Dan was told not to drink from the bottles of beer along the roadside as they use them to refill and sell new and used fuel. Sometimes they siphon it out of vehicles.

We saw many motor bikes/scooters with two, three, and even four people on board. Even little children clung to the parents on the back of the bike. The lack of safety for a child stuns me. Dan and I saw three near accidents in the space of half an hour while sitting at the roadside in a restaurant.

This is considered a taxi. I choked on the fumes of the motorbike as the gas is not filtered.

This is considered a taxi. I choked on the fumes of the motorbike as the gas is not filtered.

~~~

When we went on a trip to “Limon Falls” (LIME FALLS), I didn’t wear the mask as we moved along the bumpy roads, inhaling the exhaust fumes even though I tried to cover my face with my shirt (no help at all). I was surprised it didn’t harm me as much as I thought, though I did cough a lot.

Choking on fumes as we drive to falls.

Since I’m not allergic to horses, we rode up the mountain and had to climb down the steep hills, rocks jutting out along with tree roots that were very dangerous to traverse.

Back at the hotel in the afternoon we lounged by the pool. I was so exhausted I skipped dinner and rested in the room. I think I fell asleep at 7:00 PM and didn’t wake up for anything but washroom breaks all night long.

~~~

We had to check out of our rooms early on the last day, but the plane didn’t take off until 9:50 PM that night. We spent another day lounging around the beach and relaxing. How can a vacation be so exhausting? LOL

The airport was small, the size of a warehouse I suppose, but the Duty Free store was right beside the waiting area and I watched as people sprayed on perfumes and wandered around, definitely not wishing I was able to do that! The mask didn’t stop many of the chemicals and I felt ill as the room was also full of toxic exhaust fumes from the jets since the only barrier between where the jets rested a few hundred feet away and the room was a glass door.

I kept the mask on for the entire trip. We left the resort at 6:20 PM and arrived in Toronto at 12:20 AM (one hour behind DR) so that was for 5 hours with only an “I Can Breathe” carbon filter mask which wasn’t the best protection in the face of all the toxic chemicals.

~~~

At home finally, I crashed into my pillow with joy, happy to be in my own bed, my own haven. I slept all the next day, exhausted, sick, and getting a sinus infection. However, I’m pleased that we went on the trip as I feel much better now than I did a year ago. The toxic chemicals would have floored me for weeks back then.

There is hope in the long run that Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is not permanent, at least to me. Each time I run across toxic chemicals I find that I react to a lesser degree. Granted, there are some that send me crashing into my pillow for days now, like air fresheners and scented candles, as well as some perfumes, but being prepared is the best defense.

I still can’t get used to the way people stare at me when I walk past. I prefer to be “incognito” and hide in the background, but having a mask on your face does make you stand out in a crowd. Perhaps the more we meet people with MCS walking the streets with masks on, the less people will stare.

This Canary can fly! Even with a mask on. Keep up the hope and prayers.

To your good health.

Franny Armstrong

Come visit me at ParaNovelGirls and at my MCS site.

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18 Responses to “A canary’s vacation to the Dominican Republic”

  1. Lani

    21. Feb, 2010

    Yikes, I’m glad you survived…and enjoyed!

    Re your reacting to a lesser degree each time you run across chemicals: That was true for me, too, as the years passed after first getting sick. But as I’ve gotten older (into my 60s) I now react to a greater degree. I wonder if others have experienced that…???

    Reply to this comment

  2. jacki

    21. Feb, 2010

    I am so proud of you and so happy you could travel and fly and go into hotel rooms…I an even a bit “jealous” because I do MISS traveling so…but for now that is not possible..maybe one day my body will be able to handle those exposures….every time I hear another canary on a plane or visiting foreigne lands I get hope that will be one day again…I can relate to your story..that is me just going into TOWN….driving…and going into a town/city..is about all I can take..with a MASK on the whole time..that is why you only see pictures of me in the woods or on the water in wide OPEN space’s away from humans and their chemicals…I enjoyed you story thanks for sharing …it gives me much HOPE….love jj xoxoxoxo

    Reply to this comment

  3. Michelle

    21. Feb, 2010

    glad you were able to get away Franny! thanks for sharing. I love to travel and hope it can continue.

    Many of my symptoms were non-existant in Jamaica and after 3 days I felt almost “normal”. Granted we stay in stand alone cottages or houses for the most part or small hotels with less than 20 rooms. It was also not that busy so most restaurants were not even 1/2 full and most sea front so fresh sea air.

    The housekeepers used only vinegar and water for cleaning and many days we did not ask for cleaning. I take all my own bedding, pillows & towels. Only had to wear my mask for air travel which is amazing since I can barely go outside at home without a mask or respirator.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Pamela

    21. Feb, 2010

    You’re an inspiration to those of us who are pretty much housebound! How I miss being able to stay somewhere on vacation. I especially miss swimming in pools. I used to love that!

    Reply to this comment

  5. Suzanne LeBlanc

    21. Feb, 2010

    Congratulations on surviving and enjoying your trip!

    I wouldn’t survive that but I do find that as time goes on and I have opportunities to heal I do get better too.

    Reply to this comment

  6. Sandra Pawula

    21. Feb, 2010

    Franny, Thanks so much for sharing your vacation story. It gives us all so much hope and encouragement!

    One tip I learned about using the I Can Breathe Mask is to use 2 filters instead of one. 2 fit in just fine. It’s still not 100% (no mask is) but it’s better.

    I always feel awkward wearing the mask and tend to resist doing so. But do wear it on a plane, for example.

    Reply to this comment

  7. Susie Collins

    22. Feb, 2010

    Aloha Franny, I love your storytelling and unstoppable optimism! xoxo

    Reply to this comment

  8. Franny Armstrong-ParaNovelGirl

    22. Feb, 2010

    Thank you everyone for your kind responses. The one thing I’ve learned since falling ill is to NEVER GIVE UP your dreams of becoming well.
    Our bodies listen to our subconscious. I imagine myself well every day. It helps when I am home and not reacting to things. LOL
    I’m still sick with a severe sinus infection today, two weeks since returning from the trip and must head to the doctors today for antibiotics. (I try not to go on them at all, but I’ve reached the point of no return) The sea salt solution I stray up my nose isn’t helping at all and my jaw hurts so much it wakes me up at night from the pressure.
    Sandra, I never thought to double up the filters on the mask. Thank you for that, I’ll try it.
    TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH EVERYONE.
    Thank you for your heartfelt responses.
    Hugs
    Franny

    Reply to this comment

  9. Susie Collins

    22. Feb, 2010

    Franny, have you tried a neti pot? Not as a substitute for the antibiotics if you are at that serious stage, but it may help as a preventative in the future. I hope you feel better soon. xoxo

    Reply to this comment

    • Franny Armstrong-ParaNovelGirl

      02. Mar, 2010

      I use a product which is strictly seasalt solution called HYDRA SENSE which uses a gentle mist that fills the entire sinus canal/area.
      It works great. I also have a quick saline solution that I carry in my purse to use when I’m out (which is rarely)

      Thanks Susie. Still fighting the sinuses (March 2) but I’m positive minded that I will get better no matter what the obstacles. I believe in the power of the mind.

      I’m even considering going to a romance book convention (1200 people) but find it still rather intimidating. I know how ill I can get when in contact with something but my heart says I can do it!
      Hugs
      Franny

      Reply to this comment

  10. Connie Rae

    22. Feb, 2010

    Thanks for taking us along, franny…someday, I hope to travel again, but until then, I enjoy those who take the risk and share with us….hoping for a speedy recovery. God bless, Franny!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Kerry

    23. Feb, 2010

    Hi Franny–Awesome that you went on that great adventure in the face of MCS. You mentioned that you are getting better over time…is the mask helping this? (I’m starting to think of using one, as my MCS is worsening. I also have CFS and need to use a walker. What a sight I’d be a mask and a walker. Nothing like chronic illness to help one get over self-consiousness!) Hope you recoup as quickly as possible and know will cherish those memories. Kerry

    Reply to this comment

    • Franny Armstrong-ParaNovelGirl

      02. Mar, 2010

      Avoidance is supposed to be the key to beating MCS, Kerry. I too found it intimidating and humilating to wear a mask in public, but the only other option was to never leave my home (my cave)

      Instead, I ordered an I CAN BREATH mask online and bought a pretty lace one. It has carbon filters inside to block out most of the chemicals you come across.

      THE MCS (try not to say MY as it means you own it) was worsening until I started wearing the mask. Granted, it doesn’t block out everything, but it helps.

      The best suggestion I can offer is to wear a mask, and perhaps a tag on your shoulder that says MCS ‘Fragrances Make Me Sick!’ with a Canary symbol (Susie will no doubt allow you to use the logo on your lapel if you ask.

      Also, keep informed, research the daylights out of ways to regain your good health (this one you can own) and join us on the chats on TCR to talk with others who share the same battles. Together we can beat this!

      I’ll have a new blog up today.

      To Your Good Health
      Franny

      Reply to this comment

      • Susie Collins

        02. Mar, 2010

        Aloha Franny,

        I say “My MCS.” I own it, I embrace it, I honor it as part of my being. That does not negate always striving for better health, helping and educating others about MCS, overcoming challenges, and leading a productive life. It means that MCS is a part of who I am, not the whole part, not the main part, but one part, and I honor and nurture that part of my body that has been chemically damaged.

        I also don’t see it as a battle, I see it as a challenge. Everyone on the planet is struggling with some sort of disability, it’s part of the human condition. I don’t want to feel like I am constantly battling with something so personal as my own health. I just want to do everything I can to assist my body to reach balance and optimum health. I save my battle mode for things like fighting developers who jeopardize the clean air in my own community.

        I also felt the exact same way when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago.

        Just my thoughts on this.

        Aloha,
        Susie

        Reply to this comment

  12. Sandra Pawula

    02. Mar, 2010

    Susie, you bring up an interesting point about the metaphors we each use in relation to our illness. Although I respect that it works for others, the battle metaphor is not the one I myself chose to use.

    I use the metaphor of illness as teacher and guide. I’ve learned so much about myself and grown so much through having this illness!

    I’m curious as to the metaphors others use in considering their illness. We’re all different and I suspect there are many more metaphors among us!

    Reply to this comment

  13. Sandra Pawula

    03. Mar, 2010

    I’ve always been curious to read this book too! Thanks for the excerpts.

    Reply to this comment

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