Update: 10/28/2014
I arrived at LAX around 12:15 pm yesterday after a ridiculously long flight from Mumbai to Newark and a not so short flight to Los Angeles. One of Hotel Maharana's managers took the cab with me to Mumbai International Airport (which is super nice and much better than Delhi's btw) and helped me with my luggage until he could no longer proceed through security. The security in Mumbai asked me a bunch of questions about my frames but let me through after looking at Dr Parihar's doctor note. I had to go through customs and not only did they need to see the FRRO stamp on my passport, but they also wanted to look at my Stay Visa form allowing my visa extension provided by the FRRO (make sure you don't lose that if you extend your stay). I booked an economy plus seat on United that had a bunch of leg room, and although that helped I had to lift myself off the seat and hold myself in the air many times during the flight to get relief from the butt soreness. I didn't eat or drink the entire day previously so I didn't have to go to the restroom multiple times, but I still ended up going once on the flight. I was allowed to bring my walker on the plane and one of the flight attendants helped me to the restroom across from me, even blocking people from waiting by the door while I was in there. The on flight movies were good and I saw a bunch of new releases, but I got a little nervous when I saw on the flight route that we flew over Pakistan and Afghanistan. I couldn't stop thinking "what if we got shot down?"
At Newark I had to collect my baggage and go through customs again before checking in my luggage and going through security once more. A lady who worked there pushed me on the wheelchair and held my walker for me at the same time, making the process easier. Unfortunately I missed my flight because TSA said they found trace amounts of explosives when they swabbed my hands so I had to be taken to a side room for a private screening which involved another pat down and more attention to my groin area from the TSA agent. At least I was able to get put on another flight to LAX only 30 minutes afterward, but man was I annoyed.
The flight attendants on both flights were very curious about what happened to me so I made up a story about how I had a double fracture landing from a high balcony while trying to perform a stunt. They felt really bad for me and I felt a little pathetic, but hey this procedure was worth it I think. When my mom picked me up at baggage claim the first thing she said was that I became as thin as a rail and looked like John Lennon with my below shoulder length hair and Ned Flanders mustache (which I've really got to shave). My sister met us at the car and she was excited to see me, partly because she got to put her medical assistant work to use and assist me in the car and fold up my wheelchair. She's been a big help and volunteered to be the one to prepare my boiled water and pour the pitcher of water over my hands while I scrub them during dressing changes.
Dr Parihar and Dr Divya both sent me an e-mail asking if I made it home safely. I replied the affirmative and gave them my thanks for my positive experience with them. Haven't gotten a reply yet though.
My legs got really sore last night and my left calf and hamstring began to throb like crazy. I was in so much pain that I took three Ibuprofin NSAIDs throughout the night so I'd stop having to rub them vigorously. I'm hoping the pain goes away completely within the next month. I also saw that my equinus had become less serious when I did my standing with my walker. These new reinforced straps that Mr Shringare attached to my sandals a few days ago allowed me to make my feet stay at a tighter neutral position and really stretched out my calves, which I think is the main reason my equinus seems to have gone down significantly in the last few days.