Carrying suitcases on holiday
Posted , 9 users are following.
My wife and I are hoping to go on holiday to Mauritius in November (long haul flight fromUK)--by then I will be approximately 13/14 weeks from my THR. I'm recovering well (I'm 4 weeks now and walking without sticks) and I fully expect to be given clearance to drive etc at my 6 weeks check up in 2 weeks time.
I'm aware that despite the all clear I will still have to be careful for some time about bending and sitting down, sleeping, playing golf and, I assume, lifting heavy objects.
With that in mind will I be able to carry a 20kg suitcase when we go on holiday in November--for example, putting the case into the car/taxi, lifting it onto the scales at the airport etc etc. My wife isn't able to do this for me so I'm not sure what's going to happen if I am restricted at what I can lift and carry.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Don
1 like, 20 replies
michelb don25191
Posted
For what it's worth, personally, I wouldn't be worried about it BUT every person heals differently and it also depends on the surgery approach.
FWIW, I travelled approximately 9 weeks after my left hip replacement with a posterior approach (25 hour drive in our caravan there (I'm the only licensed to drive it) and 3 hour flight back home (Ottawa,ON to Orlando, FL). During the drive / flight, I would alternate between sitting and standing and walking about every hour. 20kg is not light but it's probalby not that hard to request help - people are usually pretty sympathetic - I think in all the scenerios you mentioned, you'll be able to get assistance. That said, it might be wise to get 2 10kg suitcases instead.
I could walk unassisted but brought my cane, a four-wheel walker and a wheelchair (there's lots of storage room in the caravan) because some of our activities involved a lot of walking (e.g. day at DisneyWorld).
At the end of the day, only you can gauge how you feel, personally, I'd plan the trip and then adjust the suitcase and activies at travel time accordingly. (i.e. if you can't lift 20kg, pack light and just bring a 12kg suitcase ...)
don25191 michelb
Posted
Hi Michelb--thanks for your reply. I'm beginning to realise that I might be a little optimistic planning a long haul holiday so soon after my op.
Don
Soos2016 don25191
Posted
Hi, Don
My son is the hippie - LTHR 6 months ago, RTHR 9 weeks ago. He flew 4500 miles in 2 legs at about 10 weeks 3 almost 4 hours, then 5 almost 6 hours, and was - as you would say - knackered. It took him a day to recover, so he had factored that in for the conference he attended. He presented on the first day, and there was a lot of walking, so he took time out the next day, to recover again. I asked the Lyft driver to put luggage at the curbside checkin, requested wheelchair to gate (REALLY long distance at this airport). Also long distance in jetway to plane. At destination, asked for wheelchair to baggage claim, got cart to take luggage to transport curb.
We are leaving this town to relocate him in less than a week - 10 weeks after RTHR - and have a 4 hour flight. We will call for a Lyft SUV or van as we each have 2 checkin cases and a carryon each. The checkins will be heavy, as we are bringing everything from a one-month hotel stay after son's apartment lease was up. I'll ask the driver to help load and unload. We'll do the wheelchair thing again, get carts for the baggage claim, ask the taxi or Lyft driver to help us load luggage.
Everyone is different - son gets really tired after being out for 3 or 4 hours including walking 8 or 10 blocks round trip.
Wishing you well whatever you decide, Don.
don25191 Soos2016
Posted
Thanks for your reply Soos.
I'm not surprisd your son is knackered after the sort of trips he is doing. Thanks for the advice on travelling and I will certainly consider them if and when we go on a long haul holiday--I must admit I'm beginning to go oiff the idea so soon after my op so might plan something early next year when I should be able to lift the caes more safely.
Don