Looks like others have you covered. Airport wheelchairs come with someone to push you; they navigate directly to the front of security lines. There are also wheelchairs that can take you from the gate directly to your seat on plane if the walk from the jetway could be a challenge. If you want this option, request it specifically. Always convenient to have your options lined up in advance, but I have an unpredictable situation at this point and have always been able to get impromptu extra help.
Good exercises that do not require a lot of space (which were assigned to my H after his hip replacement, to reduce risk of DVT). Repeat 10x each hour:
• Ankle pumps-- up and down.
• Quad sets-- tighten and release your quads. You can tighten and release hamstrings at the same time.
• Gluts sets. Tighten and release.
It’s unlikely you yourself will get to sit in the exit row since the airlines require a certain amount of strength and mobility for passengers in those rows so that they can assist in the event of an emergency.
Hmmm, I’ve rarely gotten sick from flights and we fly about 40,000 miles/year. I do like getting the economy plus seats when they are available. To me, they are worth the extra money did the added comfort, especially since our fkufhts are generally 5-11 hours apiece!
I try not to put anything in the seat pockets or try tables any more. I like bringing bright-colored nylon bags and putting anything I use during the flight in the bags so I don’t lose them when we get off the plane. I stuff the things back into my backpack. I also like having jackets and vests with zippered pockets so I can be sure things don’t fall out and get lost.
Stretching feet and writing the alphabet with them, as well as walking back and forth to the bathroom are good ideas.
We’ve always drunken the water served on planes and it’s never made us ill. We sometimes have airplane is and sometimes don’t and that doesn’t make us I’ll either. We refill empty water bottles after TSA as well from airport water fountains and that also does not make us ill.
You can make some sandwiches or high protein snacks and pack them in your carryon. As long as they are not liquid or yogurt, it will pass through security. Purchase the water from a vendor past security. I always bring my own water bottle to pour the purchased water into. It is easier than holding the thin plastic water bottles or dropping the cap.
I personally still recommend good old TED hose. Ugly, white, hard to get on and what we use in the hospital for good reason! Get the over the knee style.
Buy large bottle of water once through security and avoid salty snacks.
For exercise you can keep it very simple and still have it be effective. Point toes as much as you can, then pull toes back as far as you can. Repeat frequently. Or…place feet flat on floor and raise heel off ground keeping toes on floor. Repeat repeat repeat.
Ask doc if you can take baby aspirin with your other meds. Take a baby aspirin starting a day before trip.
I am in the minority but I have never had an issue with Spirit…and great fares…even with paying for all the “extras” (read-bags, food, etc). Checking bags is cheaper than carry on FYI and be sure to do it in advance as day of costs skyrocket.
Probably worth it to pay the $40 for a “big seat up front” if any still available.
Bring true sanitizing wipes (not baby wipes)…and wipe all hard surfaces. You can use them in the hotel room as well. You can bring 3oz or less of pocket hand sanitizer as well. If you are really immunocompromised at the time a face mask could be worn.
Have a wonderful trip!!
Thank you all so much for the tips- especially about what liquids I can bring through security. That’s super helpful. Hand sanitizer a must. I don’t tend to put anything in the behind the seat thing so I’m good there. Good call on the protein snacks.
Also good reminder to fill up the water bottle after I get off the plane. We’re renting a car (was just easier with the wheelchair) so I don’t know how long that will take and how long it’ll take to get to our hotel.
Another super obvious thing that I forgot to do on this trip was book a handicap accessible room. (Ok that one was on my father lol) We’re going to call tonight or tomorrow to see if there are still any available.
I’ve been doing pretty good with the pain lately but the last week or so have started to really ache again. I’m really hoping I’ll get over this flare before we go
Ok (at least) one more question. Maybe @HImom especially? I am going to be bringing all of my meds on the plane with me in my carry on. (I had a bag get lost before and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take with my pills.) I was hoping to only bring what I needed for the week and not all of them in all of their pill bottles. Will this be ok? For reference, I take over a dozen different prescriptions every day totalling somewhere around 20 pills (and that doesn’t include any of my pain meds)- so it is a LOT of meds that I’ll be bringing along. Would this set off any flags if they’re not in bottles and just in my regular pill sorter?
I have a print out of all of my prescriptions and I think it says on the list who prescribed them.
I take all of my pills in a week sorter /type gadget except any painkillers which stay in the bottle.
I put these in my carry on.
I also put a smaller amount in my purse-- enough that if I needed to get a refill I would have enough
for a few days. Especially my thyroid as I would crash and burn without it.
I have never ever been questioned about my loose meds.
Unless you are bringing narcotics, I strongly doubt you will have any problems with however you can most easily pack and hand carry your pills. It’s good to take a photo or have a hard copy of all your prescriptions, just in case. Honestly, I’ve NEVER had problems in the hundreds of flights I’ve taken with all my medications. For narcotics, I’d probably leave them in their pull bottle in your name.
I have always carried aboard all my medications and medical machines and devices because if I get separated from them, it could be a major problem. Carrying all of your medications and medical devices does NOT count as luggage per FAA. The bag with your meds and with devices can be put on or under your wheelchair or on your lap while you are seated in the wheelchair.
And make sure that you bring plenty of extra pills if you end up spending unexpected days out there…whether you’re in the hospital or the flight is cancelled.
Yes, if you have problems with insurer because you’re trying to fill/refill before it’s time, talk with the pharmacist and they can indicate it’s for travel and get an exception approved. It’s important to bring a bit of extra medication, “just in case.” There’s no point in stressing out because you didn’t bring enough medication.
I put my 13 meds in a pill sorter for domestic travel. Pain meds in original container. For overseas, I am taking everything in original packaging. Also have a separate sheet with dr contact info, dx, treatment history, dosages, etc. I’m a medical zebra and I want the docs to be scared s#&$less and paying attention if I show up in their ER.
I always keep an updated cardstock card that is covered in clear packaging tape for semi-resistance. It lists my full name, emergency contact, treating physicians & their contact info, diagnoses, medications, etc. so that if anything happens to me, whomever I’m with can just whip out the card and hand it to the EMT or MD or whomever needs to assist me. I would NOT count on my beloved H to be able to convey the needed info–it’s too much and I handle it all myself but would like something in writing if I am incapacitated for any reason.
I have never been hospitalized to date and hope to maintain that record but being proactive gives me peace of mind that I’m doing all I can to help whomever may need to provide me care.
Your pills can be transferred to small zip lock style pill bags and your pharmacy will probably be willing to print up labels to affix to them (they are the same ones as on the pill bottles). They have done that for me and the pills take up little room that way. Never had meds scrutinized while traveling, though.
Yes, the mini-ziplock bags are similar to those used by jewelers. If you give the pharmacy enough lead time, most are very helpful, especially if it’s your regular pharmacy where you fill most of your prescriptions. I sometimes just remove the label from the box and stick it on a ziplock bag of my own (or my inhaler or medication bottle), as it’s easy enough to remove from the pill bottle or medication box. Mainly, I try to minimize carrying excess medication packaging material when I travel. When I first started traveling with medications, in an excess of caution, I brought written prescriptions for all my medications with me when I traveled but haven’t done that in many years.
