post operative pain and flights

[Guest guest]

I haven't been answering much lately as I just had craniocervical fusion

myself. I had detethering in April of last year and both were at TCI. I flew

home to Alabama after each of them. I also have HEDS and take lots of strong

narcotics so I am always worried about adequate pain control.

First the pain issues. During my recent stay, at bedtime, my first night

on the open floor a man came in an introduced himself as the pain management

doctor. We chatted about my concerns and worked out a schedule of pain

control that was great. He also gave me the sleeping pill I take at home so

I slept through the night, my first night out of intensive care. I take a

tremendous amount of meds at home and am always worried about this issue but

I don't know of a time at North Shore, when they weren't ready willing and

able to work out good pain control. They ask you what works best for you and

use the information you give them to work out control in house and post op

too.

Flying hasn't always been a walk in the park. When we flew home from the

tethering, we left variety house and arrived at the airport, paid for

the trip and then waited an hour to be told at 5:30 am, our flight had been

cancelled. The weather was beautiful but the crew needed to fly just

couldn't be found. There were no other flights. going our way, out of NY

until almost lunchtime. I went thru hell, sitting in the airport for over 7

hours, 5 days post op.

With this flight we paid more to fly with Delta and nonstop. It was

worth every penny. This trip was exhausting but it was a million times

better. Hope this helps those of you awaiting surgery.

Good luck and God bless,

Lexie