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for some time now I still have times that I prefer to be in a quiet setting--this is not as tolerable since surgery, "noise, confusion, and many things going on at the same time around me"!!
Kim Chrane 2x sx falx meningioma 1991, 1999
2x gamma knife, 4'00 and 4'03
-----Original Message-----
From: Trisha Williams
Sent: Oct 21, 2003 8:50 AM
To: BrainSurgery@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [brain tumor] Re: high altitude and my trips this summer
I am so glad Delia responded late... I never saw the first one!
After my surgery I, too, was concerned by altitude. I asked my neurologist and neurosurgeon about the changes in pressure and was told there was nothing to worry about. But, here I was worried about the pressure changes and was totally unprepared for something very difficult for me: noise, confusion, and many things going on at the same time around me.
Once again, I was struck by a comment Delia made... "famous ear plugs". I may have broken a few of those flight attendants in for you, Delia! I thought I was the only one that resorted to ear plugs and headphones (silent, no music).
Is there any possibility, Mary, that your partial seizure may have been brought on by external factors such as confusion, noise, STRESS? This would be great because, if so, at least this is something you can minimize... nothing you can do about the air pressure. I mention this, because I was having a lot of trouble with seizures when I first flew and I've found I can prevent most of it by taking some steps.
Here's what I do to help make airports/traveling and flying easier.
1. Minimize the stress by planning my trip early and starting a packing list as soon as I start to think of things I want to bring. In fact, I now keep a general list of things to bring on trips because I figured why reinvent the wheel? I keep the list on the computer and it's always ready to use.
2. Have all my packing, except for toiletries, complete the day BEFORE the trip.
3. Pack toiletries as I use them on the day of departure.
4. Keep a written list of things to do the day I leave and cross them out as I complete them. (things like "don't forget tickets", "turn up air conditioner", etc.)
5. I ask to be boarded in the beginning of the flight with first class passengers and parents with small children. If you explain to the representative at the time of reservation that you have a problem with noises and confusion, they can mark your ticket so you can board earlier ("special assistance")
6. Wear ear plugs or sound protectors any time you feel you need it, but particularly during takeoff, landing, and being kicked in the seat by a loud child behind you.
7. If flight attendants question you (they don't like the head phones), keep a copy of an operative report or doctors' note in your carryon bag and explain you need this as a result of illness. I come right out and tell them, if they get pushy, "I had a brain tumor. If I don't wear these I could have a seizure. This helps me." I've never had a problem after that. (!)
I used to wear the big headphones that you see them wear at firing ranges. Finally, I found earplugs and smaller head phone sound barriers... depending on the situation, I always have both available. They come in handy at noisy restaurants, too!
I hope you find this helpful!
Trisha Williams
-----Original Message-----In a message dated 10/10/2003 12:25:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MaryDMills@... writes:
From: Camachoent@... [mailto:Camachoent@...]
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 3:03 AM
To: MaryDMills@...; Brainsurgery@yahoogroups.com; meningioma@...
Subject: [brain tumor] Re: high altitude and my trips this summer
Hi Ann and others,
I was confused by your statement of the brain being sensitive to altitude after surgery. I am having surgery in Nov. and specifically asked if there was any limitation to going up to the mountains or flying because of altitude and the surgeon said "no". Do you have more information on this?
Thanks to all for this place.
Mary Mills
3.5 cm olfactory groove
Hi Mary,
I am always posting late and I apologize for that. But I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on this one.
I did extensive flying this year, and on a short 3 hour flight I became rather ill. I was somewhat disoriented and felt just "not there." I also felt a lot of pressure inside my head and sick to my stomach, nauseous. My right hand also went numb, which is how it gets when I'm having a partial seizure. So I guess it was a partial seizure LOL! It was scary. Because of this, I was reluctant to go on a trip to Europe I had planned for a very long time. After consulting with my doctor, I finally did go, and aside from having a weird experience where I got very nervous and felt like all my blood was being drained out of my face and body, everything was better. I just went to sleep ASAP.
I will not say uneventful, because the fact that it was a fast paced trip made it very difficult for me and I needed help with a lot of things. I fell three days into the trip, in Portugal, and badly bruised my knee and broke my brand new camera since it just had to follow! I basically stumbled my way through Europe! Hey, I've got a reputation to keep, and they don't call me the cluts for nothing! Let's not forget my bad back and the muscle spasms I got resulting from the fall!
We were mid air flying back from Europe when the blackout hit, forcing us to land in Montreal instead of Kennedy LOL!
So we had to fly back to Kennedy from Montreal and were forced to stay on the runway for almost 4 hours! It was chaos at the airport.
But it was memorable trip and making memories makes my life rich. I don't plan on ever going again without my husband, though!
I felt very very tired and always trying to keep up. I also had a bout of diarrhea from drinking from a water fountain, (since a major heat wave just had to follow us in Spain) which is always an adventure when you're with about 35 others!
Putting a foot in Spain and another in France, was quite exciting. We crossed the border, and this is were I had to move to the front of the bus to avoid throwing up all over Tom, Dick and Harry, as the bus swerved back and forth through the Pyrenees Mountains. I wonder if the others are secretly hoping I will never travel with them again LOL.
Overall, a trip and a summer I will never forget, and so happy I was able to accomplish.
Then my hubby and I flew to Chicago and that was great even without my famous earplugs.
All the best,
Delia
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