? about flying?

[bsassy]

Hi everyone.....been away too long, I couldn't handle the pain from the cast being removed from my wrist 2 weeks ago until a few days ago (remember, I came home from the hosp. after my tkr and 2 hours later was back in with a broken wrist and more surgery for plates and screws and pins..thought I could just pee by myself coz my walker worked in the hosp. , didn't realize that I was "doped" and w/the carpet it wasn't a good combo...anyway...) they didn't even give me a splint, just took off the cast, told me it looked good on the x-ray and "see you in a month"......my wonderful PT for my knee got me hooked up w/the OT for my wrist and I'm happy to say I'm up to 2lb weights and and 20 wrist bend at a time, swelling is down but still can't get my rings on but yesterday I picked up my 12lb Easter ham and was able to drop it in the buggy....barely! Anyway back to the topic, I had my knee done Jan 14th , progress is good but I'm still weaker than I'd like to be...therapy 3x a week, ROM 125 , treadmill and bike are pain free , can't do the tip-toe leg stand yet and get stiff constantly......I got a "stim" machine from the therapist w/electodes etc.. to reduce swelling and pain but forget that coz I can't figure out how to hook me up....plug red into white into doubles into black back to red, you get the pic...it will go back. I have made me "reward" to myself and booked our flights to Las Vegas and back for April 12. That will be 3 months post op but now I'm having 2nd thoughts...has anyone flown any distance or length of time yet? Do you think my knee will swell more in the air and will I be able to even stand after the 4 hour flight from here in Pa. where winter will not die!? I asked the airline if I had a Dr's note if I could switch to front row where there is more leg room but they told me only if I was in a wheel chair.......and I'll be darned if I'm gonna ride in looking like a young old crippled when there are people that need that ride more than me.......I'm also second guessing all the walking through the airports etc... so I guess I'm looking for encouragement and hoping someone has already done this and lived to tell about it......I worry about blood clots etc... because I tend to sleep on the plane I don't move around a lot.....
You guys crack me up....I've been reading some of the past posts I missed.....we are def in this together....Thank God this site is a salvation.....hang tight everyone, and see , now that I can type w/two hands I don't know when to quit!!!!
1:45 a.m ..... waiting for the hubby to come in from his golf vay-k in Myrtle Beach ... he should be here by 3 a.m. .... flights are craZy! Only my pain pill is kicking in along w/the baby asprin and I'm getting pretty sleepy...... I'm sure the dog will let me know if I do doze off........
Sleep well everyone.........Marcy

 

[Nursepair]

Hey Marcy, good to see you back. You are doing extremely well, 125 is fantastic. I had mine on 9th Jan and am now 88-90 and am depressed about it. My OS is considering a manipulation, but I still have a lot of swelling.

About the plane journey, I don't really know all the answers. If I were you I would get to the airport in plenty of time and you will be more likely to be able to get the seat you want, or some airlines let you book in online, have you checked that out? As the journey is only 4 hours, maybe you should consider staying awake and getting up and walking around, best to be on the safe side?

Glad to hear your wrist is getting better too, it must be such a relief for you. I broke mine badly in 2006 and it took a good year. I still can't make a fist properly, I had nerve damage too, but I am used to that now. I guess I am just a slow healer.

Also know why you would want to get away right now, we still have a ton of snow around and expect more in th future, it's been a long winter here in Ontario, snow since October/November. Anyway, have a great time in Las Vegas. Josephine will probably be able to help with your questions later. Sue

 

[NuNeez519]

Maybe this will help some what. Since I am a "big" guy I always ask for a specific seat when flying, all you have to do is look at the seating plan on the website of the airline you will be flying. Some airplanes do not offer lots of leg room in the front row, especially the planes with first class since there is a wall that seperates coach from first class. You may not have a seat in front of you but you will have to keep your leg bent more since there is no seat in front of you to put your foot under...Depending on how tall you are. Some aircrafts have an emergency exit seat row that have only 2 seats and are a bit roomier than the other seats, so if you can pick the seat in that row or behind that row you can keep your legs as extended as you want and need. I have never heard of such a thing about being in a wheelchair to require a first row seat especially since your recovery may just be more of a disability than someone who is in a wheelchair (some people in a wheel chair are in better condition than a recovering TKR patient). Look online and check it out. I would call if the seat is available and request it, I travel often and have never been denied if the seat was available. I know Jet blue does not have first class and row 1 seats D,E,F are great for leg room.
Hope this helps.

NN

 

[bsassy]

thanks nuNeez......i did book our seats online when i made the resv...all the front and exit seats were booked already....i am going to talk to the airline employee when we check in and see if we can switch it..you are so right about people in the wheelchairs.......half the time i think they do that just to get to the front of the line......just like the shopping ones at the grocery or WalMart.....I'm embarrased enough to have people think something is wrong , why would we want to "fake" it?! I did speak w/someone tonight who had a partial knee done and flew , she said she just got up once an hour and stood for like 5 mins. ....... figures I booked the window seat.......I would def think that if they can't switch to the front or exit then they'd be able to switch for an aile seat......meantime i'll keep working to get those muscles stronger! Will they ever be "normal" again??!!

 

[beachcomber]

About booking an aisle seat--- I am sure you have already thought of this--- but make sure it is the "correct" isle seat.... then you can extend your KR knee into the aisle and move it around a bit and get in and out easier too.... I have ended up sitting in the wrong seat at restaurants when we have gone out to eat and had to switch with someone.

If you are trying to get one of the exit row seats with more leg room--- don't use your TKR as a reason. You have to be able to operate the emergency exit equipment to sit there... and they won't give it to you if they know about your knee.

We have booked tickets to Cancun in June and are trying to get a comfortable seat for me. Our airline books bulkhead seats to families with children usually, but it is first come first serve. So we are planning on being there early and Scott is planning on going thru security first and heading for the gate while I wait for the wanding and pat-down after I set off the alarm.

We are also looking on e-bay for upgrades to first/business class.... it is a long flight from Oregon to Cancun with a change in Dallas.

But by all means--- go and have fun! You deserve it!