Hi Folk,

I'm going on vacation next week, and will be on plane, van, car, and maybe jeep. Sitting is still painful to my left buttock. There are things to do on the trip which I can only do if I can make it through a car trip of about 2 hours on unpaved road. So, reluctantly, I'm passing on these activities. But I'd really like to have the adventures I'd imagined and be comfortable.

I'm soliciting your ideas.

Today I ordered a donut pillow. I don't know if it will work, but my physical therapist thought it was worth buying.

http://medicalproductsdirect.stores....pospilpos.html

Any other ideas? Remember, the big problem is absorbing shock when I'm vertical or sitting. Walking is usually okay; lying down is fine.

Well, the only things I can think of that have ever helped with a pain in the butt were two things: a divorce, and then an ice pack for PN pain...

I seem to recall that you can't tolerate cold, but maybe this is not right. Anyway, if you can, frozen ColPak ice packs wrapped in a hand towel are great for PN pain. I could not stand to ride in the car without these when I was first diagnosed. Sitting on one numbs the pain a great deal.

Cathie

What about one of those elastic belts for around your waist? You know the kind that is designed for bad backs and sold at chemists? If you wear it while you sit in the jeep, I assume it would keep your upper body from swinging around alot, thus limiting the possibility of strain or injury. It would just keep your midrif area contained and cosy inside the elastic limiting motion.

One of the most painful parts of a car ride for me is the swaying back and forth that the torso does. You are tensing the body in order to hold it upright. It makes me incredibly sore. So I tend to agree with Aussie that an elastic brace might be a good idea. Something like maybe one of these? http://store.orthoathletic.com/merch...ct_Code=31-560 This is just an example and may not be the right one for you.

Billye

My grandma and mom used to wear a torso brace all the time- they called it a 'girdle' and no self respecting female (of any size) would've been caught without one (or more) in the '40's & '50's.
I don't see them around much any more, except for medical or overweight problems.
But it used to be that many women considered them a vital part of the wardrobe- a 'foundation' item, & one of the polite 'unmentionables' All of 'em wore 'em!

I do have a brace and have worn it rarely since the surgery, but with comfort. So you're right, Folk, I should resurrect it (I'd not thought of that) and try it out for car rides. Anything else? The issues are: plane, incredibly bumpy car rides and jeep rides, and maybe canoeing if I can figure this out enough. I have zero endurance, so I can't do anything with too much walking (this is all deconditioning from NOT EXERCISING in 2 years), but I'd like to see the sights.

Please, keep sending ideas.

LizaJane,

I'm new to posting but have been lurking here for many months so I feel like know you all. Can't help on the nasal spray issue..but perhaps the pillow issue...

You might want to try a Boppy. It is a "U" shaped pillow made specifically for nursing a baby (you wrap it around your waist), but it could serve very well as something to sit on too. I've used my boppy for many things besides breastfreeding. You can get them everywhere....try any baby supply store...Also, I have been to Belize, but on Ambergris Caye (an island off the coast of Belize City) and it was beautiful. Take some bug spray too and definately the boppy for you bottom....relax and have fun.....

Ann

http://www.boppy.com/

Sorry to hear about the nasal spray problem. That is alarming that a mistake of that proportion could be made.

About the malaria, You may or may not recall that hubby leads tours every summer into the jungles and bush in various countries around the world. For probably 25 years now, he has been taking 100 mg. Doxycyline 2 days before leaving and continuing it upon return-I believe it is supposed to be daily for 4 weeks afterwards. Neither he nor any of the 30-40 people who go with him have ever had an issue with malaria or some of the GI problems people get when going into other countries. (I don't know if this is co-incidental or not, but I don't think so.)

If you are going to take an anti-malarial, you might want to consider this. I know photosensitivity can be a side effect from this, but they are mainly wearing light-weight long sleeves and long pants and there are practically no mosquitoes biting if they wear Deet... I am not keen on Deet, since I don't know what it would do to PN, but it is effective for healthy people. Then again, you may not be out in the jungles like he is.

Cathie

super diligent about your meds...But, isn't the whole THING scary? As in beyond scary?

For now tho....Just go and be one of those GIRLS HAVING FUN? after you get there, of course! Recharge in the world's beauty, yep, such places are beyond AMAZING and then later go and kick rear-ends! I have faith.

Really, IF I thought I could get 'snuck in' as your pet cat, I'd try....but, having lived in the tropics...my only observed s/e of cats [who eat the lizards/chameleons/bugs] have been a less desirable form of 'hairballs' and growth spurts...into really BIG cats as opposed to cats.

So, I guess, some remote cat 'pusha-pushas' are the best I can do.
GO HAVE SOME HECK OF A BUNCH OF FUN! - j

PICS? Heaps of pics? Pleeaasee?

This is not an auspicious beginning for a trip, but it's a beginning of its own.

My son has a new canker sore and his gums hurt; I have a fever of 100 and my sinuses hurt; I've got pillows packed up the wazoo and a magnet on my butt and a suitcase full of pills, water pik, and something for every contingency I could imagine.

We're off!

See ya guys later!