Categories: Knee Arthritis

You Don’t Look Sick – Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: HAWAII DAY 1

Well, my start to my trip to Hawaii definitely started with a bang. First I got up early and got to the airport well in time. I had a wonderful taxi driver who was very sweet and he took me and my luggage to the airport lobby and arranged a wheelchair for me. I was so early that I was ahead of the people pushing the wheelchairs to your gate. So I had to sit and wait for about half an hour for someone to push me to my gate.

Getting through TSA was a lesson in patience. Since I was in a wheelchair, I was wheeled to the front of the line, but then had to wait for a female TSA agent to check my trunk. My boot had to be taken off and put through the X-ray machine and then my sock had to be inspected. I offered to take off my sock and they can take it to the x-ray machine, but they refused and instead felt all over my foot. It seemed kind of stupid. That whole process took about another 45 minutes.

My flight was very nice. I sat next to two very nice women who both wore masks the entire time and we were super helpful when we landed. In Hawaii the plane lands right on the tarmac and you have to walk down a flight of stairs. The two women carried my backpack and medicine bag so I could hold on to the railing.

Once I had my luggage, I waited in a long line to get the shuttle to the rental car. When I got to the rental car, I went to the Fast Track thinking I would get my rental car, but unfortunately they claimed I didn’t have my fast track for this reservation. So I had to wait in a long line for him to pick up my rental car. Luckily there were some very nice people in line who held my seat while I sat down for a while. It was very hot and I stood for a long time.

Finally I get to the front of the line and pick up my rental car. I drove away happily and went to the supermarket to get food. I drove just 20 miles further and it was clear something was wrong with the car. Every time I drove over 60 miles per hour there was a chattering sound like someone was banging in the trunk. After stopping a few times to see if I could see what the problem was, I called roadside assistance. That was an incredibly useless call because the guy kept asking me where I was, but I just knew I was on a highway in the middle of nowhere in Hawaii. So I finally turned around and went back to the airport.

Once back at the car rental company at the airport, I saw the same service representative I had spoken to twice. I called him and told him what happened and he quickly brought my new car over.

When the car came by, I had some really nice people helping me with my bags and groceries. This time the car was great. I arrived at the hotel and the nice lady at the reception helped me with my bags and groceries.

To give you an idea, I landed at 11:30 AM and arrived at the hotel at 6:00 PM. It took 6.5 hours to get off the plane, pick up my luggage, go to the rental location, get car #1, then a grocery store and drive 20 miles and then drive back and get car #2 and then drive 2 hours to the hotel. It was a lot of standing. Let’s see how my feet feel tomorrow. Oh yeah, I was late for dinner, so I ate snacks.

See you tomorrow…

Source link

Mokhtar

Share
Published by
Mokhtar

Recent Posts

Iliotibial Band Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Introduction If you're an athlete or someone who leads an active lifestyle, you've likely heard…

2 months ago

Expert Advice on Preventing and Managing Knee Pain

Key Takeaways Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial for knee health Proper…

2 months ago

Acute Knee Pain After Running

Ever finished a run and felt your knee throbbing? You're not alone. Many athletes face…

3 months ago

Protecting Your Knees: A Weight Lifter’s Comprehensive Guide to Pain-Free Performance

https://youtu.be/YRrppL1WuCw Introduction As a weight lifter, you're no stranger to pushing your body to its…

3 months ago

The Best Knee Braces for Hiking and Outdoor Activities

Ever wondered why some hikers seem to move easily on tough trails while others find…

4 months ago

Knee Cartilage Repair Options for Active Individuals

Are you an active person dealing with knee pain that stops you from doing what…

4 months ago