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[SpeedDialer]

1. What items are probably not worth bringing to Greece that might be tempting to bring?

2. What items can safely be abandoned in the trash can/donated in Greece to lighten the load on the way back?

3. For LL veterans, what did you bring that ended up not being helpful?

4. At any airport in the world, if I ask the desk person to help me get into my seat / move my luggage will they help me or do I need to pay for that?

[zaozari]

1-I consider a fixed bike essential according to many doctors, to complete or even to do most of the physiotherapy (calves at least). It may cost less than 250 euros in place or ebay equivalent.
You can also buy crutches, a walker and a wheelchair in place.
2-Back home you can choose to take everything with you or just a few of that itens. In principle you will have to pay only for the bike transportation (65 euros in Ryanair). Anyway a walker costs around 60 euros and crutches even less. You can buy them again at home if you want and can. The wheelchair is more expensive but there are reasonable ones for 125 euros. But for only one and a half months, depending on where you stay, maybe you don't need all this hardware.
3-?
4-You won't need to pay more, help and a suitable seat will be provided. BUT tell the airline you are using medical devices in anticipation for them to aprove and adjust (lower) the fare. I don't know if you still have to pay for extra leg room in low cost airlines.

[Height Journey]

Can you please provide more information, such as:
1) Which bones and lengthening amount goal
2) Which lengthening method or device

[SpeedDialer]

Sure.

Femur. 6-7 cm goal

Gnail

What items would you consider?

[Height Journey]

I have a blog post on recommended equipment.
https://heightjourney.wordpress.com/2021/05/02/essential-equipment-and-services-for-precice-patients/

For the Gnail, it is a full weight bearing nail like the Stryde. Anything in green in that blog post is optional and most likely not needed, especially for a full weight bearing nail and if you are travelling far away. However, if your doctor recommends using one of those items, then you should bring/buy it.

One thing Stryde patients need during lengthening are forearm crutches. They need the walker for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, then at least a few more weeks with the crutches after that (possibly throughout the entire lengthening phase).

In the blog post, you may or may not need these items that are not in green (it's optional and up to you):
Toilet stool
Back support pillow - Makes sitting on bed comfortable, but not mandatory
Heated pads
E-Stim Machine - Helpful for femur muscles for the first month, but won't need it afterwards

[Height Journey]

I can answer 2 of your 4 questions.

2. What items can safely be abandoned in the trash can/donated in Greece to lighten the load on the way back?
Check with your doctor or limb lengthening clinic to see if you can rent them. If you buy them, see if you can donate them rather than trashing them when done.

Walker
Walker accessory bag
Shower chair with raised handles (if you feel you are ready to stand by yourself in the shower)
Cold packs
Toilet stool
Back support pillow
Mini Exercise Bicycle Machine (you'll be using a full size exercise bicycle machine or treadmill by then)


3. For LL veterans, what did you bring that ended up not being helpful?
My blog post is of stuff that were helpful. The only things I bought and found worthless was a food tray for the walker, and a crockpot because I never ended up cooking.

[zaozari]

Hi, sorry to "insist" on asking to detail your answers, if you can answer this I would very much thank you:
-Did you use frequently the stool and shower "chairs"?
-Can you give examples (brands) of those cold and hot patches? (This is to check how/what they are, I'll be doing tibias externals first and need to know if they "fit" in-between pins)
-Doesn't the E-Stim is of any use really after the first month (to moderate pain)?
Thanks for your time

[Height Journey]

Hi, sorry to "insist" on asking to detail your answers, if you can answer this I would very much thank you:
-Did you use frequently the stool and shower "chairs"?
-Can you give examples (brands) of those cold and hot patches? (This is to check how/what they are, I'll be doing tibias externals first and need to know if they "fit" in-between pins)
-Doesn't the E-Stim is of any use really after the first month (to moderate pain)?
Thanks for your time

Remember I lengthened with the Precice 2, though I talked with several Stryde patients about recommended equipment.

-Did you use frequently the stool and shower "chairs"?
Yes for both. The toilet stool was also necessary because I was using a raised toilet seat with handles.
The Stryde patients I talked with, the shower chair was necessary. The toilet stool is a maybe for full weight bearing patients, because they did not have to use a raised toilet seat with handles. One Stryde patient said the stool was helpful, but others did not use it.

-Can you give examples (brands) of those cold and hot patches? (This is to check how/what they are, I'll be doing tibias externals first and need to know if they "fit" in-between pins)
Cold packs from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/2-Piece-Adjustable-Reusable-Injuries-Shoulder/dp/B07RT24JKS/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1CB7KFHBAZAF7&keywords=cold+gel+packs&qid=1646693678&sprefix=cold+gel+packs%2Caps%2C55&sr=8-4

For the KT massage ball, look it up on the internet.

My list is for internal nails. For external fixators, I'm not sure what is recommended. Best to talk with your doctor or other external fixator patients.

-Doesn't the E-Stim is of any use really after the first month (to moderate pain)?
The E-stim machine is to help stimulate your weakened muscles after surgery, so when you do PT exercises, it provides a boost for PT exercises like knee extensions. It's not for moderating pain. After the first month, it's really no use. This is optional, but helpful for the first month. It's best for femurs, and for tibias I don't think it's necessary.

[zaozari]

Thanks for your time, the information was most helpful!

[SpeedDialer]

Wait so for Giotikas should I buy a shower chair after I get to montaza hotel near Athens BJR? I didn't see mention of it in the emails he sent me, wonder if I missed it

I know that when we stay at montaza hotel, the nurses will help us

[Height Journey]

Wait so for Giotikas should I buy a shower chair after I get to montaza hotel near Athens BJR? I didn't see mention of it in the emails he sent me, wonder if I missed it

I know that when we stay at montaza hotel, the nurses will help us

Your hotel room may already have a bench (fold down or fixed) in the shower. I suggest asking your doctor or CLL staff about it. If the hotel room doesn’t have a bench in the shower, ask if you can rent or buy one there, and how to donate it when you leave.