Thursday, June 3, 2010

Life Before Surgery - The Honeymoon


The Honeymoon

Gage and I were blessed to go on an European Vacation and Cruise for our Honeymoon. Prior to the trip, I was terrified of the flight; not of the plane going down, rather, I knew that sitting for long periods of time was a major trigger for excruciating pain for my back. I consulted with both my surgeon and Pain Management Specialist. They offered the same advice: get up from my seat as often as possible, let the flight attendant know of my back condition and request that I be allowed to stand as often as possible, refill my prescriptions and take double-doses as necessary and walk as often as possible when landed.

On the flight down, God was really with us! Our plan was only 3/4 booked so Gage and I were able to convince a fellow passenger to switch seats with us. For the entire 10-hour flight, I stretched across 3 chairs (and my husband's lap). I took a Tylenol PM and slept like a baby. When we arrived to Rome I was refreshed and ready to tackle the city - time change and all!


















The doctors recommended that I bring a good pair of tennis shoes for walking. Gage and I averaged 5-10 miles EACH day while in Rome. There were so many majestic sights that we couldn't allow ourselves to miss even one!

Our vacation started with 2 days in Rome, then we boarded the cruise and headed to Genoa, Italy, Toulan, France, Barcelona, Spain, Palma de Mallorca, Spain & Sardinia, Italy.


The flight back; however, was just the beginning of a long road of pain that I had in store for me. Unlike the trip down, the plane was over-booked. Because I was in so much pain, at a lay-over in Detroit, Gage and I opted to fly out the following morning in hopes that with a break from the long plane ride, my body would better handle the next trip. Eventually, we made it home and 7 days later, I was at the hospital for the first of many pre-operation appointments.

I don't know what I would have done had I not had the wedding and the honeymoon (and my new husband, of course) to take my mind away from the fears of surgery...