Flying From Germany

[Cindylou]

Doug, first off....good luck with your upcoming surgery. And you are asking excellent questions. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I am thinking someone here on the boards went recently to Germany, and pretty sure all by themselves. Was that Ken G? He went to Dr. Bertagnoli, but same difference, all alone. I would send him a private message and pick his brain on how he managed his trip by himself. It is certainly not an ideal situation, but I do believe it can be done. Like others said, get those notes from the docs, call ahead to reserve your wheelchair coming and going, and yes indeed...pack light!

I too wore my back brace coming home on the flight, and just gingerly put my seatbelt over it. I used to always say, if we're going down we'll all be dead anyway, but after Captain Scully (was that his name?) landed that plane in the ocean and everyone LIVED, I don't say that anymore!

Especially since you also have a history of blood clots (me too....mine went up into my lung both times tho and became PE's) make sure you have that documentation, that way you should be given more liberty than other passengers for "roaming" the aisles. I did travel first class both coming and going, (my husband's boss paid for my roundtrip) and even tho it was a big help, I still found myself in considerable pain. Just no getting around it sometimes.

I stayed in Germany just under 3 weeks, and fortunately, my husband was able to work remote. I needed all of those 3 weeks after my 3 lumbar ADR's, and it was still no picnic. Just being honest here, but everyone's body is different and responds to pain differently too.

Good luck, and keep us posted by and by.....

[sd59]

Thanks Cindylou

If you every get the unfortunate clot again, ask about a greenfield filter.
My Dr's put one in me to stop any clots from going to the lungs again.
One P/E was enough, and I had so much trouble trying to get a breath when it hit, I told the nurse my time was up.

Now all my x-rays show a small parachute looking device, which is my filter.

I'll keep you posted, but for now, I'm trying to figure out the money, and help arrange a memorial for my father in law who died this past Sat.

Doug

[Cindylou]

Doug, I will definitely look into that filter you referred to. And my sympathies with the death of your father-in-law. My father-in-law also died, just two weeks ago.

Take care,

Cindylou

[ShannaP]

Hi Doug,

I concur with Rhatzy - get a note from your doctor to possibly help with seating arrangements or possible upgrades.

As someone who lives in Germany and has made the US->Germany and back again flight, many times....getting up and walking around whenever possible is key. Try to get up and walk around at least once an hour if possible. If not, you can do many leg exercises in your seat. I am pasting a link below. Just keep moving!

How to Exercise on a Plane | eHow.com

Good luck!

Shanna

[Katie]

I just read about long distance flights a few weeks ago, and one thing that was stressed was wearing the special pressure socks, the kind that diabetics sometimes wear. There are two different pairs, one much stronger than another and are meant to prevent the blood from pooling in the legs. It also mentioned your condition as a reason to use them and to get the stronger pair. Exercises like those already mentioned were important as well.

Another tidbit I got yesterday from an airline was that if I am flying within two weeks of surgery, I will need a doctor's letter stating that I am fit to fly. The airline has to receive it within a certain amount of time, so you should check that out.

Good luck with this. I am facing a minimum twelve hour flight each way next month, so am searching for answers too. I did find out that Air Canada has a separate Medical Situation line, or something like that. They specifically are there to handle questions like this

Good luck with everything.

[Cindylou]

Yes, good reminder Katie. You will definitely be given the compression stockings after surgery to help minimize any clotting. And if you don't have any for the flight going over there, I would purchase a pair, especially since you have a history of blood clots.

Good luck and God speed!

[WPKat]

How to Exercise on a Plane | eHow.com

Shanna, excellent link - thanks! K