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While I'm laying here I decided to try and book flight to Los Angeles. Is there only one airport in LA? How far is it from Dr Brizman? Is there a place where most people stay that's reasonable and clean?
Do you think it would be rude to call office and try to see if someone's ghat switch an appointment time with us so we could get in earlier or later to prevent us from having to stay 2 nights instead of one? Mine is at 11:30 and I'm having a hard time finding an afternoon flight back on the same day.
Please call the office about
Please call the office about hotels - they've been able to help people in the past and I would think that they still could. I would also ask them if they know of any way that you could get an appt. date that worked better for you. Then, wait and see what they say. I might even ask if they thought it was possible that someone might be willing to switch with you - some of her apt's are local ones.
LAX I believe is main airport
LAX I believe is the main airport. When I was making my arrangements I called the office and they gave me two hotel suggestions. Holiday Inn and Crowne Plazza. I decided to stay at the Crowne Plaza. It was reasonable and also walking distance to many restaurants. It was about 20 minutes away from Dr. B office. My appointment was at 9am. I left the hotel at 8 and I got there at 8:30 due to LA traffic. The Holiday Inn I was told is closer. I believe I read a post where someone did switch an appointment so it wouldn't hurt to try. I really hope you get your appointment soon! Let me know if you need any additional information I'm also from the east coast.
Good Luck!
I found the hotels near the
I found the hotels near the airport to be the cheapest. I spent about $100 for a room at the Best Werstern, it was very nice and had an ok breakfast that was included. It's about 1/2 hour from the airport to her office without traffic but since this is LA COUNT on traffic!
Thanks for everyone's reply.
Thanks for everyone's reply.
I have some further questions. Which crown plaza would be recommended to stay at. There are 3 listed and one close to the airport. The one in hollywood seems like it could be fun if we had to stay 2 nights just to give us freedom to walk around. Someone said there were nice restaurants - was this the one they stayed at?
Also, I am getting anxious about staying on the diet while traveling. How did very one else do this successfully whole traveling? Did most people get a letter for carrying water with them on airplane? Does Dr. Brizman provide this?
I am shaking as I write this as I an so anxious about traveling. It's such a shame that a trip to CA can be so scarey and not a fun adventure. Because of my recent surgery I have so many more concerns on top of the IC, but if course the IC is the worst.
Thanks again for everyone's help.
Sue
Hi Sue,
Hi Sue,
The Crowne Plaza I stayed at was in Beverley Hills. The address is 1150 S Beverly Dr. The location was in my opinion great. 20 minutes away from Dr. B's office (with no traffic). There were quite a few restaurants and shops in walking distance (5 - 10 minutes). There are always cabs parked outside in case you need one. I did not want to rent a car so for me this was perefect. I was able to eat at a steakhouse (steak, baked potatoe, steamed brocolli). I ate at subway (lettuce, cucumbers, grilled chicken) and I used my own olive oil. I had breakfast at the hotel every morning (eggs and steamed spinach). I also made a few trips to Whole Foods and bought rice cakes, water, olive oil and cut veggies. I was there for 3 nights so I needed to have some safe foods with me at all times.
I believe the office can provide you with a letter for the water but in my case once I passed security at the airport, I was able to buy Fiji water at the gate and bring it on board. For me this was an international flight so I'm not sure what you will find at your gate. I did not cheat on my diet the whole time.
I had a lot of anxienty about travelling too. Once I got there and realized that I had options I felt much better. Going to Whole Foods was also very helpful. I kept the veggies I pruchased in the refrigerator in the hotel room.
Believe that you will be perfectly fine! Focus on the fact that you are beginning your healing process and that you are not alone. You will have the support from a community of wonderful women.
Good Luck!
Sandy,
Sandy,
Thanks for your advice and reassurance.
I like the idea of crown plaza but now my husband is getting nervous about how much money I have been spending to recover. So I'm exploring staying at a hotel at the airport and trying to make it just one nights stay. With me not feeling so well I'm not sure how much we can enjoy going around LA anyhow.
My surgery makes everything different from everything others are experiencing as I can't seem to separate what's hurting from surgery and whats hurting from IC. To think I chose this invasive surgery is causing me so much pain and regret. I sit up in terror thinking what a mess I've made of my previously beautiful life.
My father just took my husband and daughter out for a lovely dinner. Eveyone else shared glasses of wine and had bread and desert and cappuccinos and I just sat there so sad inside that I could not join in. Plus I had to get up twice to go to the bathroom and was often thinking of these strange sensations down my leg and up my arm and in my vagina. I just couldn't really be with everyone. I can't imagine living my entire life like this. I want to just sit back and relax and join in the fun. I felt like the weird one ordering special things and , really, I need that wine more than anyone at that table!!!!!!
Im sorry I'm such a downer. And I've gone off such a tangent from this traveling thing. I just had to let it out. I hope and pray each of us who are trying so hard can get to a better place. Like not have to go to the bathroom every hour. Do you think we will ever be able to have a glass of wine without worry again? I was never a big drinker. I just had an occasional one now and then - maybe 4-6 glasses a month.
I really should have started a new post. Sorry again.
Sue
Sue, no need to apologize. I
Sue, no need to apologize. I'm also on a downer so I completely understand how you feel. I also made some poor choices in my life that led me here but I can't cry over it anymore. Lets look ahead and put that energy on getting healthy. We can't change the past!
I too was never a big drinker but I do miss having a glass of red wine. You asked the question if I believed we would one day be able to have a glass of wine and my answer is "YES"! That will be the day we toast to our recovery!
Cheers!
Thanks Sandi. I needed that.
Thanks Sandi. I needed that. I'd really like to do that with you and other women on this forum some day......
Sue
Dear Sue,
Dear Sue,
I have a feeling that there are alot of us, kind of feeling a bit in the shadows because of other health issues. Due to surving breast cancer three times, with extensive reconstructive surgery, taking skin from my stomach to make a new breast - blood supply snaking up from my gut to my new boob, hernia reapir caused from this surgery, with mesh from that, and extensive chemo and other drugs that have dumped toxins into my system, that in my mind, cause additional detox problems, I get what you're saying. I am still alive and kicking, appearing to be cancer free, and here to tell you that I have still been helped by this treatment - alot of the extensive inflamation from these surgeries have dramatically improved after starting this treatment.
I stayed in Santa Monica. I
I stayed in Santa Monica. I ate at two restaurants during my stay, making best choices and taking chances. I ate mostly from Whole Foods and packed a nice lunch bag for the flight home. I bought Fiji water at the airport before and after security.