My sister, who lives in Arizona, called me yesterday and told me that she will have surgery for cancerous cysts on the tail of her pancreas, at the end of April '09. Hubby and I decided, we are going to be with my big Sis, and her family when she has to endure this surgery.

Do you have any suggestions on how I can make this long drive more pleasant/acceptable,..acceptable pain levels? My hubby WILL NOT fly.

There is no way that RSD will stop me from being with my sister, when she needs me during this difficult time for her and the family.

I knew something was wrong when she visited me about a month ago.We had not seen each other for 17 yrs. before her visit to me, our Moma's funeral. We had chatted alot on the phone those 17 yrs.

I encouraged her to see the doctor; her coloring was so off, I saw some yellowing in the whites of her eyes.. and she was having pain that radiated from her upper left side of her tummy area to her back. She said that she was just tired from her business meetings and travel. We really had so much fun being together. She was worried about me and the RSD.

The diagnosis of my sister having pancreatic cancer is overwhelming and I am still processing the chat with her from yesterday. She was afraid to tell me as she didn't want me to go into a pain flare from the stress of knowing what she was going through. She gets this diagnosis and she is worried about me..sighs. I am staying positive and We decided that everything will be ok.

Thanks,
Dew

I am so sorry for the challenging news!
I understand your concerns for travel. There were times on trips that I literally thought I could just jump out of the car. Thank God I didn't, cause that would have hurt soooo much worse. I really need to be able to lay down when I am traveling. If, that is not possible, then recline with your feet elevated. Also, I always pack plenty a pillows, the bumps and jabs can leaving you feeling beaten by time you arrive. When you have a chance to stop, get out and move around a bit. Gentle stretching will help. Select relaxing music (don't put the driver to sleep though) to keep you from being anxious. Keep meds in a convienent, safe place.
I agree with keeping the focus of your sisters condition in the most positive light possible! I will too! One of incredible strength, continual healing, and amazing resolve.
Image her healthy,peaceful, active and joyful. All my best to you my friend. Love to you and sis ..Di

Hello, Dew

I'm sorry to hear about your sister. I have been there you won't regret one minuet of the time you spend with her. As you know a positive attitude is so important.
When I need to travel I take extra pain medication a few days before I start the trip. I drink lots of water to keep it moving through my sytem. If you don't have one and can afford to lease one get a luxury car. It makes for a really comfortable and smooth ride. I have a mercury grand marquie and it is so comfortable to ride in and there is plenty of leg room.
I agree with Diane about the stretching and moving around. Stop every few hours if only for these things.
Listen to your body and remember to take time to rest once you are with your sister and her family. If you need someone outside the family to vent to you can PM while you are there or anytime.
Take care,
Sherrie

I have traveled a lot by plane and car with rsd. Actually more then when I didn't have it. Is your husband going to do the driving? I hope so because that will help. It is key and I mean this to get out every few hours and move. Even if you don't feel you need to because I found for myself if I don't and I allow myself to get too stiffed and cramp and then get out it is too late so to speak and the pain has gotten to bad. I would bring meds,where comfy clothing,eat and drink in a proper way. How far of a drive is it? If it is real long I would stop and stay in a hotel so that you can get full rest. On a side note is there anyway you can fly and your husband could meet you there? I hope your sister takes care. That is so wonderful of you to want to be there for her. Many thought to you and your family

Hi Dew,

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister! I really hope that the surgery goes well and that she gets to feeling better real soon! Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time and please keep us updated when you can!!

Me and my mum have travelled 4 and a half hours to get to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, by car and the journey was pretty painful for me. There are so many pot holes in the roads over here and no matter how much you try and avoid one, you still somehow manage to hit one!! The pot holes and speed bumps really set my pain off and it goes up quite a lot for a few minutes.

If I could suggest anything to you, it would be to wear the comfiest clothes you have. If I am travelling a long distance, I sometimes travel in my PJs and then change when we get there. When we went to London, we were going straight to an appointment so I travelled in my tracksuit bottoms and a lose fitting top. The tracksuit bottoms are the comfiest thing that I have as they are three quater length and don't touch my foot too much. I also love leggings as they are comfortable and don't touch my foot and lower leg!!

Also, it might be worth taking some extra medications to try and get rid of any flares. We travelled to Vegas in March by plane and the journey was really tough for me so my doctor gave me an 'emergency pain pack' with extra medications and anti-inflammitaries. It might be worth speaking to your doctor to see if he/she can suggest anything that may help.

I'm unsure where your RSD is but it might be worth taking some pillows with you. When we are travelling long distances, I sometimes take some pillows with me so that I can sit of them to try and stop me from feeling the vibrations in the road as much. Of course I still feel them a lot but it doesn't tend to be as much as if I haven't got any pillows with me.

Keep moving as much as possible also. Stop every few hours for a drink and walk around as much as possible. I know it can be extremely painful and tiering but it should help improve the circulation. Try and move in the car as much as possible also - even if it is just by doing a few simple leg stretches or something.

Keep hydrated as much as possible and drink lots of water. That should hopefully get rid of any increase in swelling and make you go to the toilet so you have to keep moving!!!

Take care of yourself and please send your sister my love and best wishes. Please keep us updated on the situation when you feel up to it!

Alison.

I'd suggest regular stops, so your muscles don't stiffen up and you get out of the car for a while.

Take a comfy pillow, make sure you are comfortable in the car and that you sit in a good position. Maybe lower the seat a bit so you can lay down and sleep a bit? If you can sleep through a large portion of it, maybe that's better?

I hate the car (I am only a passenger, am no longer allowed to drive), mostly because I feel the bumps in the road and the vibrations. It's painful.

My hubby says he thinks it is about a 2 day drive, maybe a little less. We own a luxury car, Buick Park Ave, and it does have a smooth ride. The most I have had to travel since I have had RSD is 210 miles(round trip), to see PM.

I will keep all of your suggestions in mind, and will be able to contact everyone while I am staying w/my sister and her family, while in Arizona. I will be seeing PM and psychologist just before we are to journey west( I am in OK).

Thank you for your prayers and feedback.


Dew

Just wanted to say that I hope she'll beat this! Your support will be a blessing to her, I know that much. Family is important in times like these. RSD is not easy to deal with and you are so willing to make the sacrifice, to go through so much pain to help her out. Wishing you lots of strength!!!

Thinking of you both!

Dew, My prayers are with you & your sister. I am sure a positive attitude helps with this. I belive that to be true. You have gotten alot of great advice. I have travelled alone doing all the driving myself since getting RSD. ANd with family. I did 1200 miles in 3 days. It was very very hard. I also have a luxury car. I have a 1995 Cadillac. Rides like a dream. Still I needed the extra pilows like were suggested. I wear loose clothes. And I get the heck out of that car as often as I can or feel I need to,. Period. Otherwise its way worse. I have made the same trip for years & used to just shoot on through like a bolt of lightneing. Not anymore. Take your time & take care of yourself & it will pay for itself when you get there. Have a very safe trip.
Hugs, Denny

I would fly. Southwest has some amazing deals right now.

I have severe difficulty just going the 60 or so miles to Boston from Providence every 3 - 4 weeks for my blocks. The last time my husband drove me up there I had an excrutiating headache and it was truly tortuous for both of us (it's a very good thing you aren't allowed to eat or drink anything 6 hours before the procedure, because I likely would have been sick in the car!). It doesn't help that the roads in Mass are really bumpy and full of potholes.

If you decide to drive, it might be a good idea to find out about the condition of the roads, the availability of rest stops, etc before you leave so that you can plan your trip accordingly.

I'm so very, very sorry about your sister.

Please take care of yourself, Sandy