JM7119 There are two temperatures that matter. The hot spot and the ambient air temp. It sounds like you have grasped this. The issue you are having is caused by the room temp 68ºF and a glass tank is very difficult manage. It can be done but will take time. I understand there is a time issue? You need to hold the ambient air temp warmer than 70ºF or so ideally 80ºF but 74ºF will do for now. before you leave the best temporary thing is just set the room temp higher. This will manage until you get home and can actually adjust things correctly.

The issue is to make a little slice of Africa in your home for your snake to live comfortably. This means correct temps. Most reptile heaters do not heat air, UTH and RHP in particular are not designed to heat air directly. Lamps, CHE, and tube heaters are they will cause a drop in RH (not actually the humidity it stays the same) BECAUSE they heat air if a heater does not drop the RH it is not heating the air.

Post again when you return for now get the ambient air temp over 74ºF and try to get the hot spot in the mid 80ºF or a little higher before you leave on the trip.