Hi. I'm am getting really nervous about the flight, hotel, and transportation situation to the hospital in New York. Gah!!
I have pre-op at the North Shore University Hospital in New York on the 20th of January. On the 21st I have surgery. The doctor said to expect to be in the hospital for 4 to 5 days afterwards and then stay in a hotel for a few more days after that just to make sure everything is going good. Then the doctor recommends that I fly home because I have an 8.5 to 9 hour drive otherwise - and New York sucks to drive in!!
I am having the PF decompression and fusion for the CCI.
Has anyone flown after the PFD and fusion? How did you do. Was it rough. Were you in a lot of pain. Were you tired?
What happens if I am not released to go home and I've already bought my ticket for a certain day to return home?
What is the best method of transportation from the air port, to hotel, from hotel to hospital, etc?
Should I get the hotel rooms now, even though I don't know exactly what day I will be release to a hotel?
OH-MY-GOSH. I don't want to do this.
Will someone else plan this all for me please? LOL
Do you have anyone travelling with you???? I would think a cab would be fine. I would alert the driver (especially post-op to please drive carefully-the brakes were what bothered me the most. Find a hotel that will accept cancellations or that the hospital recommends. Often times they know area hospitals that are flexible. Also, notify the hospital that you are expecting release but unsure of the time exact date. I would also call the airlines to see if you can get an open ended round trip---you schedule your departure, but then can schedule your return at a later date.
I didn't fly afterwards, but I had a 2 1/2 hour drive home. I was in ZERO pain coming home, but I also had some hospital meds still in my system. Make sure you to move around while on the flight. I PRAY someone is going with you and you're not alone!!!
Ohhhh thank goodness!! I know his small-town panic of GIANT terminals! But it's really easy and if he can ASK for directions or help, everyone is usually friendly! I would definitely go with cabs then. Renting a car would be SUPER panic on his part (since you won't be driving!) Also ask if the hospital offers any kind of transportation-that would be even better because they wouldn't have the crazy cabby driving!
Once you get your tickets, print a map of the airport including terminals and parking. Literally map it all out--just in case. Then give him the info on the hospital reserved and how to schedule if you can get open-ended return flights. Once you HAVE the surgery, I doubt you'll really care where you are or how you got there! I remember getting dressed and the next thing I remember is sitting in the recliner at home and my mom n dad on the couch. Kinda like fast forward! :D
And hopefully he has the "man" thing where you become the damsel in distress so he's in super-hero, clear the isle, here she comes mode!
No real advice on the whole flying thing since I've not flown since surgery. I will say make sure you have a neck brace or or a neck pillow if you are on the HORRIBLE WV turnpike. When we drove from Ohio after my surgery there was sadly a remarkable difference once we crossed over the WV state line in terms of road quality. I felt like I was traveling in a covered wagon with all the bumps! I can't believe we pay to drive that road.
Edit to clarify that I assume you'll probably fly into Charleston thus you'll need to drive 77. lol
I had surgery in California in 2009. We stayed in CA for two weeks afterwards.
When we did fly home, we stopped in Seattle, and did an overnight at a hotel by the airport. Went on the next day to Anchorage. Both flights totaled about four hours in the air.
Seriously, I did not feel well on the trip home, but it was doable with the meds. that I had been given. I pretty much zones out on the flights. I'm so glad I had my husband with me!
Everyone is different. I would just expect the best outcome. Most people do just fine.
The airport thing sounds stressful, I know Best Friend's advice about printing a map of entire airport and parking lot works, as I did that when I flew in to Chicago's O'hare airport. I was by myself on that trip, and a little freaked out about navigating that airport. It really helped.
Most NS say you can drive/fly home shortly after discharge, but if you are able to stay 4-5 days in the city, after surgery, I highly recommend it.
Rebecca,I flew after both surgeries. Did just fine, completely able to navigate the airport and comfortable on the plane. If you fly SW (not sure they fly into great neck?)there is no charge to change flights. It’s stressful to plan all of this and foresee the future, especially with kids at home. You’ll do great, though, and hubby will figure things out fast. You can’t plan for everything, so I say do what Dr Bs office advised and let the worry go.
Rebecca when you book your flight, just let them know you need a wheel chair …this way there will be someone waiting for you with the chair and your husband doesn’t have to worry about going to the correct gate… All he has to do is follow… You will defently need it after surgery you can’t be running around in the airport
