Should both parents fly to Chicago for IVIG or can 1 handle it?

[anneca]

I am flying to Chicago this week with my son to do our first IVIG. My husband is concerned that it will be difficult for me to handle alone and wants to know if he should go with me. Our son is not hard to handle (11 yrs. old) but wondering if any of you could advise me. We are booked into the La Quinta and have a rental car. Is there any difficulty between the first and 2nd day? I feel like it will be no big deal, but what do you all think? thanks very much.

 

Anne

[JAG10]

Hi Anne,

 

Last May, I took my then dd10 on a flight from Phila to Chicago, managed the airport, rental car, navigation, and infusion on my own. My hubby stayed home with our 7 y.o. We were fine and my dd, like your son, was not hard to handle.

 

On the way back, our flight was a little delayed and she got the "big headache" in the air. That was a little challenging. It was a crowded flight and she thrashed around until the prednisone kicked it, then we hit turbulence. It wasn't easy, but another adult wouldn't have made that big a difference. When we landed, I told the flight attendant, my dd had medical treatment and needed a wheelchair. This was so she didn't have to walk the length of the airport and I could carry our bags while a stuart pushed her. I also told the crew checking us on the plane she had had medical treatment and they let us board first; just do it.

 

It was a lot, but one parent/one child...I think you will be fine.

 

Hope this helps

Best wishes and health!

Jill

[mama2alex]

Hi Anne,

 

We went to Chicago last July for IVIG with Dr. K. My son had just turned 10 and was relatively easy to handle too. I told my husband I could go without him, but he insisted on going and I was really glad to have him along in the end. During IVIG, I was able to go get coffee, pick up a movie from Walgreen's or just take a walk to clear my head. Without him there, it would have been tough b/c of my son's separation anxiety. After the 2nd day of IVIG our son got really sick with a bad headache and vomiting for an entire day. It was good to have someone else there to help make decisions about medication and calling Dr. K, and it was comforting for my son to have his dad there. I was also able to get out of the room, get a break, go buy popsicles when he started to feel better, etc.

 

I think you'll be fine either way, but having my dh there made the trip much easier for me.

[butterflymom]

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Edited October 9, 2015 by tampicc

[Doug]

If you can money wise..

I would have him go

we have been there twice and yes on the second day after it is all over with it all hit's at once

Have him drink LOTS and LOTS of water before it might help

Dr K is Great

Bring a thermometer,and some fever reducer...

and stock up at Wallgreens with food and snacks

if you dont want to eat out all the time

and IF you can give yourself a couple of extra day's after everything is all done just so

he is feeling good on the way home he just might be tired but he will be feeling better after a couple of days

Good luck

keep us posted

Tracie

[anneca]

thanks so much for all the replies. All your info helps greatly. I am going to go on my own because it seems doable, (though not ideal). We have a flight home the late afternoon of the 2nd day, so i am just hoping we make it back before the aftereffects hit. It's good to know i can get a wheelchair if needed. And i am also having him drink tons of fluids before we leave tomorrow. I will hope for the best!