L4/5 L5/S1 Mavericks

[runner]

Rest up, Bob.
In the early days, anything like that can tick your back off pretty good.
Make sure to ice, 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off and not directly on your back (please have towel or shirt or something between your back and the ice pack.

runner

[ans]

Glad you made it home relatively intact; terribly harrowing.

[Katie]

Maybe let both companies know that your experience with their terrible attitude has been sent out on an international forum where many, if not most of the members are flying for surgery.

When it hits them in the pocketbook, that will help change their attitude

Usually a pool of tears helps me get assistance when I need it most I realize that isn't manly though

I cannot imagine what you went through so soon after surgery. I think we should all let the companies know that we will be avoiding them unless they issue you an apology and some reimbursement.

[SandyW]

Bob,

I also think you should inform the airlines, I can't imagine they would approve of the treatment you received. Hopefully in the future they will do something about the treatment of surgery patients. But if they don't know about the terrible treatment, then we can't expect any changes.

However, with that behind you, I sure hope you will continue to improve and reach that day when you will be pain free. Keep us informed and God Bless.

Sandy

[trkdoc714]

All,

Thanks for your kind words.

I let Lufthansa know what happened. The ticket agent at Bremen Airport had entered all of the right info into the computer. They're looking into the lapses that occurred in Frankfurt.

As for TSA, I failed to get the name of the guy that told me to tough it out. As you can imagine, TSA was about as helpful as any other government agency (we'll look into it) and I had to force my contact information onto them. I doubt I ever get a return call.

The travel discomfort appears to be behind me now. Although I have distraction type pain and minor spasms, I feel better today than I have for a while. There is no nerve pain. My pain levels are lower than the pre-op levels.

Now the pain is under control, I can concentrate on the really important things in life....daytime TV (kind of like mental sciatica).

Bob

[Justin]

Bob,

It's good to hear that you contacted Lufthansa. I flew with them in 2003 for my surgery and I didn't understand the hype about it being such a great airline.

Anyway, I'm glad you are feeling better and the distraction pain will get better as time goes on.

So you're back to watching the Jerry Springer Show, eh?

[Kathy]

Bob,
Glad you are feeling better. I'm sorry your flight home sucked. Mine wasn't so great either; but it wasn't because of TSA or the airline. We missed our first flight because I realized half way to the airport I left my walker in the hotel. Then, we get there and are almost gonna make it and my friend can't find her wallet. After running through the airport to the gate, while she ran to the rental car to see if it was in there, I find it in my purse (she put it in there). I had to go back to security, wait for her to return and get her id, so she could get through security. We finally get back to the gate and the plane left. We then spent 4 hours in the airport waiting for the next flight out (the airline didn't charge us anymore for missing our flight). We finally fly out, have a stop in Houston, bad weather hits, so we sit on the runway for an hour waiting for the storms to pass. We then have to take the long way to Dallas, 2 hours in the air versus 45 minutes. Anyway, I ended up not getting home until 11pm and I had arrived at the airport at 11am. I do have to say that I flew Southwest Airlines for the first time and I loved them. The flight attendants got me ice repeated times for my ice pack, brought me pillows and were very caring and sweet. When I arrived at curbside check in they got me a wheelchair, pushed me through the airport, let me go through the quick security line, and had a wheelchair waiting for me in Dallas (as soon as I got of the plane, they were waiting for me with a chair). The gentleman pushed me all the way to the curb outside and even offered to wait with me for my friend to get the car pulled around. I was very impressed with them and will fly with them whenever possible from now on.

Note to anyone flying: Take a cane or walker and tell them at the curb you are handicap and need a wheelchair. They will give you a special pass that lets you cut through the security quicker (you get to go in the line where the staff goes through). The pass also gives you pre-boarding and they will push you through the airport and get your bags. I didn't even know this service existed; but they offered when they saw my walker. It was nice to finally get a 'perk' out of this hell of pain I live in.

So glad you are doing so good Bob, I am jealous of your recovery! Were you on pain meds prior to surgery? What were you on? What are you on now? How is your son handling not being able to be carried by daddy? My 3 year old keeps asking, "mommy you back better, you carry me now?" You are in my prayers, Kathy

[trkdoc714]

Kathy,

I'm beginning to think the travel miscues were beneficial in a way. I've gotten back on feet quicker than the other 4 patients in my group after the long flights. Maybe the exercise helped (even if it was painful at the time). I had a bad night last night but had a great day yesterday. During the day I had no more than a 2 or 3 pain level. After laying in bed for a while last night, I felt the pain increase to 7 or 8.

I was taking Percocet 5/325 up to 15 mg daily before surgery. I took it as necessary. After surgery I took a morning and evening dose of Targin. I stayed with that dosage until the trip home. Then I resumed the Percocet as needed.

As far as the cane or walker, I had a cane with me but the gate keeper at Frankfurt was more concerned with getting the small kids onboard first (even though they announced kids and disabled first). I got irritated and walked past her to her supervisor, showed her the cane and letter from Stenum. She waved me through to board.

Justin, I haven't had to watch Jerry yet. I bought a pay-per-view package of Paul Rubin movies that I'm only halfway through with.

Bob