Hi, I have just scheduled my MVD for Nov 27th. Assuming all goes well, do you think I could travel by Jan 18th? Here’s some background; on Jan 18 my husband, my three boys and I are scheduled for a 5 day trip to Washington DC during the presidential inauguration, with school. We would be traveling from Utah. I am trying to decide if I should cancel my part of the trip. I have until Dec 4 to cancel and get some of the money back. I can see how i feel by then, but that is only just over a week of recovery. It will be a busy trip full of activities all day. I will be Chaperoning Jr. High age kids. Am I going to feel up to it? Will the air pressure be bad? I know changes in air pressure about kill me with TN. Is Almost 2 months of recovery enough? It is best for me to have the surgery now and have ruled out waiting until after. If you have had MVD your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
I am only 3 weeks post op now. I was doing really good, but had a bout with dizziness and nausea today. It happens when I bend over. I was trying on shoes. I even had to start taking Zofran again. Other than that things are going well, just moving slow.
I was going to say not to cancel the trip just yet, but then I read you would be chaperoning kids rather than at your own pace. My doc told me to wait on everything for 6 weeks and then I could do what I want as long as it doesn't hurt, but I would need to build up to it.
I would wait until after your surgery, but maybe others can weigh in that are further along in their recovery. Also, what is the advice of your doctor?
Best of luck to you!
Mandie
Hi, My two month mark was last Sunday. I've been back to work for about a month. The only issues I experience now is by the end of the work day I sometimes feel my incision site is sore, I don't know if it's because I am moving aroud a lot as I'm very busy at work. I'm off all meds and have a very clear head. I do find that I'm alseep by 9pm when I normally would stay up to 11 or 12. I would check the flying/air pressure with your neurosurgeon.
@ Mandie, I was told not to bend over at all for 4-6 weeks. I know that feeling, but It doesn't happen anymore!
Mary
I agree with Mandie--follow the advice of your neurosurgeon. I am 3 weeks postop MVD. I flew home 8 days postop and had no problem at all with any cabin pressure changes. I flew from Baltimore to Miami. I could have flown home sooner but visited with friends in Baltimore before my return.
As far as chaperoning junior high school kids--yikes!! That sounds like a challenge all its own!
Talk with your neurosurgeon and family. We are all different and I know you will make the best choice.
Good luck and have fun,
Dixie
I too suggest you talk with your doctor. I am scheduled for my 2 nd MVD this Thur 11/15 & thought I could go back to work in 2 weeks but still not totally myself nor normal schedule.
Do you all think I am too optimistic about returning to work in 2 weeks? I am a VP of a retailer & it is fast paced lots of interaction with my teams but not bending, lifting but fast paced & lots of meetings.
Dixie said:
I agree with Mandie--follow the advice of your neurosurgeon. I am 3 weeks postop MVD. I flew home 8 days postop and had no problem at all with any cabin pressure changes. I flew from Baltimore to Miami. I could have flown home sooner but visited with friends in Baltimore before my return.
As far as chaperoning junior high school kids--yikes!! That sounds like a challenge all its own!
Talk with your neurosurgeon and family. We are all different and I know you will make the best choice.
Good luck and have fun,
Dixie
can you go and not Chaperone?
I think I am going to cancel. The trip will be very fast paced. We would only be at the hotel to sleep at night. Even if I am feeling healed enough to travel I am worried about my ability to keep the pace. It makes me sad to miss this experience with my boys. Even if I waited to have surgery I don’t think I would be myself. The Meds that I am taking zap my energy and the air pressure would probably kill me. Thanks for your advice!
You have made a wise choice, I believe. Perhaps you can start making plans for a special family trip that you all can look forward to. Maybe during the boys' spring break? Or do something really special for just a weekend. Spend some of your recovery time looking at some of your options and get the family excited about doing something when "Mom" is re-energized! Turn this into something positive and try really hard to hide your sadness from the boys. (Easy for me to say, huh?) The entire family will be so happy to see you get your life back--and theirs.
Keep us all posted.
Dixie
Wow, that is a tough one! I guarantee you will not be feeling 100%, but you know that. However, this is a once in a lifetime event I know you would hate to miss. Some lucky people bounce back pretty quickly after a successful MVD, a few are even worse off. Will there be more chaperones in case you need to rest? I would think if the TN pain is gone, chances are you might feel pretty darn good by Jan 18th. I had my MVD 2 years ago and it didn't resolve the pain, but it is less intense and less frequent. However, I had terrible double-vision that lasted for months. I couldn't drive or do a lot of things until my vision came back. A year ago I flew to Chicago with my ex-mother-in-law so that we could attend my son's graduation from Navy bootcamp. I wasn't feeling well, but it was one of those things I wouldn't have missed for the world! Maybe it was all the joy and adrenaline, but I only had 2 attacks the entire trip! I am SO glad I went. If I had a chance to see Obama's inaugaration I would go through Hell and high water, but that's just me. I have noticed that many folks do not share my love for the First Family, unfortunately. I wish I could take your place! It would even be worth chaperoning a passel of pre-teens. Good luck on you MVD, I hope it gives you complete relief.
Suzanne
I just found out that we can't get any of the money back. They will let us do a name change up to 2 day before. My surgeon said I could travel if I was feeling good. So I guess I will have time to see how I feel. I really hope I will be able to go. You are right Suzanne it is a once in a life time event. If I am not up to the trip then some lucky family or friend will get a Washington DC trip on us :)
I would give it a shot then, I am 5 weeks out of my MVD and feel really good and I had a ton of complications, which you wont have...I am allergic to antibiotics, anesthesia, even soap..so have no fear. You may be well enough to go, the only caution I would have is it could be any kind of weather here at that time, so be prepared. I live about 1 1/2 hours from DC (love it there) and the weather is really goofy this year, yesterday it was 70 degrees , today it is 45.
I feel really good this soon out and am going back to work in about 2 weeks, so its doable. Just take it easy and dont stress about it.
PS , i will stand in for you at the inauguration if you cant go, lol, i would love to see that....seriously though, I think you will be fine
Wendy
AlyssaBella said:
I just found out that we can't get any of the money back. They will let us do a name change up to 2 day before. My surgeon said I could travel if I was feeling good. So I guess I will have time to see how I feel. I really hope I will be able to go. You are right Suzanne it is a once in a life time event. If I am not up to the trip then some lucky family or friend will get a Washington DC trip on us :)