i wanted to get input from those who have travelled long distances for the surgery. I'll be comign from Hawaii to CO. my husband thinks i can fly back fine using only airport wheelchair escort. my questions are particular:
do you need someone with you for travel on planes other than wheelchair escort? i'll have connecting flights)
I need to return to CO for my 2 month post op. would I be okay then to travel solo?
Anything you wish you had during your travels or hospital stay that would make the trip more comfortable?
I would call your NS and ask him if you will be able to fly after surgery. I couldn't. I flew to Pittsburgh & met my family there. They drove. I had to drive home because of the pressure changes when you fly. I hope you do really well with your surgery. I had a very advanced situation, so maybe your NS will let you fly.
hi, i had my surgery in 1999, we wanted to go to florida about six months after my n-s told us to wait at least 12 months. and i was all clear, we were traveling from manchester/united kingdom, with hind sight i am glad i waited 12 months. But 2 weeks before we were due to go i was playing soccer and just collapsed and got concussion and all down one side of my face scrapped i looked a mess, i was given the all clear. You must talk to your n-s for reasureance. good luck.x
Jen, Sorry for the delay in answering your question on flying solo from your other discussion. In my experience the airlines were very accomondating. I am assuming that your cousin would help get you to the airport and your bags checked. I had a wheelchair and escort from the time I checked my bags to getting on the plane. There was an escort with a wheelchair ready when we landed. I think I could have and would have traveled solo it that was the only option I had. I think your should ask the NS. How long is your flight to Maui from the states?
Dr Oro suggested flying over driving to us. I didn't notice and additional pain or problems from the flight. Be sure post op you take all your meds regularly. They schedule your meds to give optimal relief. I was feeling good enough at 2 months to travel solo.
Is it just impossible for your husband to come with you for your surgery? I think I could went through all this without my husband but it sure was nice to have him with me.
The things that made me more comfortable while healing out of state were my comfy jammies, blanket and pillow. My DH did go a buy me a new pillow in CO because the one I brought just didn't work. I slept most of the time.
When are you thinking about scheduling your surgery?
Diana
I forgot to add that when I asked my husband if he thought I could have traveled solo. He thought it was possible with all the airlines assistance.
Thanks for your response(s). My flight from Maui will be 5 hours in air to CA, then change over probably 2 more times. (that's a total of 3 up and downs in a plane until reachgin Denver. I'm glad to hear there were no pain issues with pressure in the flying. i HAVE to fly (duh!) to get home, so there is no avoiding it. Right now, my symptoms with flying is vision worsens after I land (blurry) and focus problems. but no headache. In the air, I feel pretty good. I actually love higher altitudes. Is that weird? Im' thinking about the end of May for the surgery. I'll be scheduling tomorrow. I'll keep you posted! Once I get those plane tickets done and the surgery date, I might start gettign nervous! But right now, every bone in my body says to do it even though my symptoms aren't too delibitating. I'm following the paleo diet that Dr. Oro suggested and I'm on day 4 of NO grains what so ever. It's been a little rough with the carb cravings but i need to do this. I'm prediabetic to boot and i just know this will help in my overall health. what type of pillow is reccommended?
I bought a chiari pillow before surgery. You can add or take out the memory foam filling. I thought it would be good after surgery but I liked a little cheap polyester filled one from ikea while I was in CO. I sleep with the chiari one now.
I feel better in the mountains but I thought it was because the air pressure is lower.
Keep up the good work following the Paleo Diet. I was following it before surgery but fell off the wagon after. I need to get back on because i did feel better on it.
I am 3 weeks post op and I would be fine traveling alone now, but there is now way I could have done it alone even just a week week and a half ago. I think you need to have someone beside wheelchair escort there for the surgery, but the post op at 2 months should be fine. I do have to tell you tho that I seem to be the exception. Everyone here seems to be taking a long time to recover and they have had lots of post op symptoms. I personally think it has been fairly easy as far as recoveries go. Do I have pain yes, but it's not nearly as bad as before the surgery. Oh and I wouldn't even dare to travel for at least a week and a half after surgery. It is really hard to hold you head up for long amounts of time. If you choose to make sure you have the hospital give you a soft neck brace to wear. It really helps so your neck muscles don't wear out as easy. Good Luck!!!
about falling off that Paleo wagon..... I'm about 5 days gluten and grain free and I'm crawling the walls and weak at the same time. did you have this initial experience going cold turkey? Maybe i'm PMS-ing too, but the general weakness and chiari symptoms are fighting back. My body CRAVES anything carb or sugar!
Diana Smirl said:
I bought a chiari pillow before surgery. You can add or take out the memory foam filling. I thought it would be good after surgery but I liked a little cheap polyester filled one from ikea while I was in CO. I sleep with the chiari one now.
I feel better in the mountains but I thought it was because the air pressure is lower.
Keep up the good work following the Paleo Diet. I was following it before surgery but fell off the wagon after. I need to get back on because i did feel better on it.
I'm glad you're doign so well! You're an inspiration to me! I'm planning on it! I'm a teacher also! I'll have the 6 week summer to recoup. I bet what you need to be careful about right now going back so soon to work is the cerebral energy your job entails. It would wipe me out on good days! So get in the zone, only worry about what you're there for and no wasted energy on being too social with kids or colleagues, okay? That wipes me out every time!
Michelle said:
I am 3 weeks post op and I would be fine traveling alone now, but there is now way I could have done it alone even just a week week and a half ago. I think you need to have someone beside wheelchair escort there for the surgery, but the post op at 2 months should be fine. I do have to tell you tho that I seem to be the exception. Everyone here seems to be taking a long time to recover and they have had lots of post op symptoms. I personally think it has been fairly easy as far as recoveries go. Do I have pain yes, but it's not nearly as bad as before the surgery. Oh and I wouldn't even dare to travel for at least a week and a half after surgery. It is really hard to hold you head up for long amounts of time. If you choose to make sure you have the hospital give you a soft neck brace to wear. It really helps so your neck muscles don't wear out as easy. Good Luck!!!
I do not know what a paleo diet is. But I do have a gluten free diet that I do. I have been on gluten free diet for 8 yrs now not by choice but due to medical. At first it was hard. After a year it was like a normal part of my life. Even after 8 yrs I have weekness every once in a while. I see something good or something that smells good. It is hard not to eat it. I feel so much better all around being on a gluten free diet.
paleo diet is basically a gluten free diet. a full grain free diet is even better- no rice, quinoa, etc. glad to know it helps. the past week i've been on it i've been feeling weak, tired, moody, tearful, and ravenous. how long does it last before your body gets used to it? Being prediabetic and now with chiari, this HAS to be the new diet for me.
I'm on a gluten free diet due to I have celiac. I'm only on a gluten free diet,I still can eat rice and quinoa. I do get ravenous sometimes I think its because the gluten free food does not feel you up a lot like regular food does. I eat a bunch little meals through out the day,to me seems to help with the ravenous. For me I say after 2weeks I noticed difference in issue I was having before the diet. I say after 2 months I was feeling pretty good. I'm sure everyone is different. If you need help with what gluten free foods are good or any recipes I can give you suggestions. As I mentioned before I have been doing this for 8 yrs. now. I buy most my gluten free food from Heb,I like there policy. If you eat it and do not like it. Then take it back to store with your receipt and you can get your money back. Which to me is good since the food cost so much. Also if you can get a letter from your Dr then you can take a tax deduction under medical for it.