traveling + eating post transplant?

Hi all, I am trying to spend my time pre-tx letting myself think about all that I would like to do post-transplant. And one of those things is travel. I'd love to hear stories about how you all have dealt with food safety while traveling, particularly in europe or out of the states anywhere. I am totally aware of all the guidelines after transplant, so mostly im just looking for first hand accounts of how you actually make it work. For instance if you're in another country at a restaurant where you don't speak the language, or speak very little, do you play it safe and order little to nothing, unless you are positive it is ok? Or do you try to get your condition across to the waiter -- explaining for example about avoiding pastuerized cheese, asking questions, etc. I am thinking along the lines of...what if i wanted to eat pasta in italy with cooked tomato sauce and cheese, would i need to worry about the cheese? Things like that, the details that you wont find on basic guidelines....and personal stories. Also wondering how often, if at all, you got sick from food while traveling. I definitely tend towards being overly paranoid so if anything I'd like to know what I actually can do instead of just can't so I don't end up eating nothing! And mostly this is just a fun way for me to also think about travel. Best, Caitlin
Source: Cystic Fibrosis Transplants Forum - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Transplants Source Type: forums