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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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 Posted: 10/11/03 - 19:38 Post subject: Holiday travel with chronic illness?
So Mrs. H is currently up and down from day to day and the Dr. has suggested to us that we put off surgery as long as possible because there's no cure for what she's got right now (abdominal adhesions for those that don't know).
So Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up and we usually travel to TN to see my In-laws for T-Day and KS to see my parents for Christmas.
TN is a 4+ hr. drive, so that's not really what's got me worried although it will be a little awkward for Mrs. H to be at this big family meal and she'll only be able to eat the littlest bits of food.
KS is my real concern. We have to buy 5 plane tickets pretty far in advance to get a good rate. (currently almost $1000 for the 5 of us) Then we have to rent a car and drive 4-5 more hrs. to get to my parent's house from the airport.
So, those of you that currently have a chronic illness in your family or have had one in the past, how did you handle holiday travel plans?
What happens if/when you need to make an emergency break to get back home?
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 19:42 Post subject:
We do not make plans John. I know your pain really. With things so uncertian, better off to pay later higher prices then lose the money if it changes.
Families just have to understand.
We have missed numerous family functions and have spent her first christmas in the hospital. It is not easy. Think carefully.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 19:44 Post subject:
I travelled to MN, although my trip was medical related. I was not worried at all. Be sure to have all her medicines and the medical facilities are able to handle what she has. Also try to see what the doctor has to say
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 19:50 Post subject:
| Cappy wrote: | | Be sure to have all her medicines and the medical facilities are able to handle what she has. Also try to see what the doctor has to say |
That's part of the problem with traveling to western KS, lack of good medical facilities. About 20 years ago, my mom had a super deep cut in her wrist. Dad drove her to the hospital in town, they drove her to a different hospital that was 30 miles away and then they ended up flying her to a different hospital that was 150 miles away.
While the condition that Mrs. H has isn't quite as life-threatening, there is still a very real possibility that she could end up in the ER at any time and need surgery.
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Cappy
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 19:52 Post subject:
What are the Mrs. thoughts on it?
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 19:55 Post subject:
| Cappy wrote: | | What are the Mrs. thoughts on it? |
She's pretty nervous about it. We go to KS for Christmas every two years and the last time we were due to go, we didn't because of her illness.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 20:12 Post subject:
| purple hayes wrote: | | Cappy wrote: | | What are the Mrs. thoughts on it? |
She's pretty nervous about it. We go to KS for Christmas every two years and the last time we were due to go, we didn't because of her illness. |
Is it possible to instead use the money and fly your parents to your house? I think Mrs PH is seriously ill enough to be in her own home. Although getting her out and away is good, she might be the type of person who would be mortified to have to be rushed to an ER during a holiday event. (My mom is like that)
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 20:16 Post subject:
i'd stay home. have your parents come to your house. i wouldn't even think of any other plans - stay put.
putting the possibility of a hospitalization aside, does/will she even feel up to a trip like that?
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crazyfrog
Kermitologist
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 20:26 Post subject:
| rolling rock wrote: | i'd stay home. have your parents come to your house. i wouldn't even think of any other plans - stay put.
putting the possibility of a hospitalization aside, does/will she even feel up to a trip like that? |
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 20:29 Post subject:
| rolling rock wrote: | i'd stay home. have your parents come to your house. i wouldn't even think of any other plans - stay put.
putting the possibility of a hospitalization aside, does/will she even feel up to a trip like that? |
It's a family meet though. Everybody heads to western KS @ Christmas time. Since we have to travel the furthest, we only go every 2 years.
I'm not sure she even up for the trip. Everytime I mention it, I get the  look from her.
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Laurie Ellen
Queenie
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 20:47 Post subject:
She's probably stressing about it. She probably doesn't want to go, but doesn't want to spoil it for everyone. Then if she decides to go, she could end up spoiling things anyway by having an emergency admission. There's only one thing to do, really... just keep her at home where she's comfortable, and shoot for next year.  Lice check for Mrs. Hayes.
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kattzoo
Member
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 21:16 Post subject:
I understand the family meet part, and it would be rotten to miss it again, but I like Aire's idea of flying your parents out, even if it has to be before/after the family Christmas. One of the worst parts of having a chronic illness is knowing that you're getting in the way of everyone else's fun and routines.
My advice (and since it's free, it's worth about that much) is to tell her you're staying put this Christmas, make big plans at your house, and then if she's feeling great, try cheaptickets.com, priceline or something, and see if you can go for a few days. At least the stress will be off her in the mean time.
You're a really swell guy to be so concerned how to make her comfortable.
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crazyfrog
Kermitologist
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 21:20 Post subject:
i know... plan a big RR shindig at your pad and have your parents out before or after xmas...
it will be great! yall can stay at home and be comfy and everyone else gets the benefit of a great party! see its a win-win situation! 
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 22:19 Post subject:
How many family members are we talking about for the KS trip and would it be possible to have them all or some come out here for a change, given the fact that she's been so ill?? Families should understand, they don't always, but I'm with the folks that say stay put and ask them to come to you just this once. How many years have you had to make the trip there and done so willingly, that they couldn't come just this once seeing as you have extenuating circumstances??
Edited to add that I saw the answers to my first two questions after I wrote that.....
Last edited by genie on 10/12/03 - 11:32; edited 2 times in total
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crazyfrog
Kermitologist
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Posted: 10/11/03 - 22:20 Post subject:
| genie wrote: | | Is this your family in KS or hers? Are you guys the only out of towners coming in for it? Where I'm going with that is, how many family members are we talking about and would it be possible to have them all come out here for a change, given the fact that she's been so ill?? Families should understand, they don't always, but I'm with the folks that say stay put and ask them to come to you just this once. How many years have you had to make the trip there and done so willingly, that they couldn't come just this once seeing as you have extenuating circumstances?? |
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