Flying or Driving to travel for surgery?

Katie · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 07:38 PM

Thanks Maria. We actually did this trip just over two weeks ago, down to see Dr. Bitan for a consult. We took it easy and had no problems other than being exhausted by the time we got home. We left on Sunday and came home on Tuesday, after the Monday appointment.

It is the coming home part that scares me. I will be having five levels done, with both fusions (3) and ADR (2). I don't know yet if he will be going in from both the front and back, but his assistant was pretty astounded that the surgeries were only going to be days apart instead of weeks or months.

The passenger seat isn't as comfortable as the drivers', and I'm a bit concerned about laying down without a seatbelt, safety wise, and it's probably not even legal. What are the laws in New York for that? Definitely illegal as soon as we cross the border.

I can use an Obus form for the passenger seat though...it works well enough, and we can stop as often as we like, and take two days coming back if need be, as I said.

I can't believe the cost of an hour & a half flight, and certainly can't afford to book three or four seats, with my husband coming with me. If it was just the flight time, I would probably be OK, but with all the delays, I think I'm going to try driving...with everything open to change, of course

I truly appreciate all the input from all of you. Thanks for caring so much.

mary.mary · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2009, 07:50 PM

Katie,

I noticed that you are in Ontario. I am not sure what part (I can't remember).

Have you thought of looking at what the price of the flight would be from the Buffalo Airport? I don't really know if that would work for you or not, but I thought I would just throw that idea out to you..

Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope it all works out well for you!!

Mary

fortitudine · #3 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 12:29 AM

I can't believe the prices for Air Canada! I know we paid over $1100 Calgary to Vancouver a couple of weeks ago. Are there no seat sales? With your husband travelling, do you have any aeroplan miles you can use to fly?

Katie · #4 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 03:48 AM

It's not just Air Canada...United was almost the same, as were most others I've checked. It is also the amount of time it takes to fly that relatively short distance that is convincing me to drive....hours waiting in airports will not be fun. The direct flights are the more expensive ones of course.

We do have air miles, but have been using them up for family emergencies as well...life doesn't always go as you plan, does it!

It will all work out in the end...still need to get a surgery date yet, so jumping the gun just a bit

But I'm hoping for late May or early June...fingers crossed.

Nairek · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 04:36 AM

Katie,

When I left Lenox Hill after my 6 day stay, I hired a car service & paid $225 for the 2 hour drive home. There was absolutely no way I would have been able to handle the 15 minute subway ride & then the almost 2 hour train ride home. The subways in NY are usually jam packed. Especially on the Lexington Ave. Local. I've been on the subway, with my cane, & never once did anyone ever give up their seat for me. Sad society we live in.

I was told that it was not advisable for me to be sitting upright for the ride home. I was told to sit in the front seat & lay the seat back. Of course I didn't listen

Since I'm short, I was able to more or less stretch my legs out while sitting semi-upright in the back seat. I had my husband bring down some pillows to prop up against my upper & lower back to keep my spine straight. We had a town car so it was comfy & the driver knew I just had spinal surgery & he did everything he could to make the ride as comfortable as possible.

You should also know that with lumbar fusion, sitting tends to be more uncomfortable than with ADR. If you are "blessed" like I was & have incisions in both your belly & back, it's going to be tough to get comfortable.

As for seat belt laws in NY, if you are sitting in the front seat, you have to wear a seat belt. As far as I know, if you are sitting in the back, it is not required. Just make sure you don't play Super Woman if your husband hits the brakes!

There is an "AirTrain" from JFK airport to the local subway. You just have to figure out which line to get on to take you out to Lenox Hill. I'm not very city savvy so I won't even venture to guess on that one.

My sister has flown to Toronto a few times for work. I can see if she may be able to suggest any low cost carriers for you.

Sorry I can't be of more help to you.

Karin

Katie · #6 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 01:07 AM

Why did you have incisions both front and back?

I've talked to a couple of others who have had similar surgeries and had no problem with driving home by dividing up the trip over two days, so this looks like the way to go.

Nairek · #7 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie

Why did you have incisions both front and back?

I've talked to a couple of others who have had similar surgeries and had no problem with driving home by dividing up the trip over two days, so this looks like the way to go.

They went in thru the front to put the cage into the disc space. They went in thru the back to put screws in to make sure the cage stayed in place. I didn't find out until the morning of my surgery that they were going to go thru the back as well.

Driving back home looks to be more economical than flying. Breaking it up over a few days sounds like the best way to go. You should be given a prescription for pain meds the day that you leave the hospital. If you can, try & get it filled before you leave so you have something for the ride home.