I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Home Dialysis => Topic started by: Ken Shelmerdine on November 18, 2008, 06:08:39 AM

Title: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on November 18, 2008, 06:08:39 AM
We've just had a fantastic two weeks in Lanzarote Canary Islands. I never thought I'd be doing this again after starting dialysis. Although I knew it could be done I always thought transporting the Baxter and all would be too much hassle but this year I decided to take the plunge.

The Baxter cycler went in it's own flightcase into the baggage hold of the plane with no extra baggage charge as it is classed as essential medical equipment. I had arranged to have the 20 bags of fluid delivered to the destination address the day after we arrived plus a box of tubing cassettes and drain bags and sure enough they arrived with no problems. You have to take your own  mini caps, connection shields  hand rub  hand washing soap and exit site paraphernalia as Baxter will only supply the bulky stuff which would be impossible to take with you.

For those in the UK, the voltage in Spain is the same as Britain so you don't need to take the voltage transformer which Baxter supply you with prior to your departure but just a word of warning. All modern electricity installations  in Spain are earthed but some older buildings are not. So in cases where they are not earthed you would have to take an isolation transformer. This again is supplied free of charge by Baxter. If you have any doubt check with someone at your destination address.


I am really surprised how smoothly it all went apart from having to get to the airport for the outbound flight at stupid o'clock in the morning for a 7 am flight only to be told that there was a delay and now the flight would be at 10 am which eventually became 11 am. :Kit n Stik;
We also had some really bad turbulence during the flight which started while I was in the toilet in the middle of a pee!! :rofl;
Anyway I've got a few pictures to send (not of me having a pee) of the holiday and at weekend I'll resize them and post them them.

We stayed in a villa with  our friends Val and Dave who live there during the winter months (lucky them)  The weather averaged between 73 and 77f and sunny most of the time which is just right for me and Rita. We have really enjoyed ourselves but now it's back to the hum drum and work. :( 

Just one more thing, can anyone direct me to the thread where Epoman recommended a free downloadable image re-sizer as I am using a new computer and I don't have the web link for it?

Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Sluff on November 18, 2008, 06:11:18 AM
Welcome back Sir Ken.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: paul.karen on November 18, 2008, 06:14:30 AM
Sounds great Ken.   :welcomesign; back

The resizer is in the Introduction thread.

I am glad you were able to travel with your machine.  This has been a wonder of mine.

Did you have to pay shipping for your solutions??
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: okarol on November 18, 2008, 08:34:13 AM
Sounds like a great trip Ken. Can't wait to see the photos!

If you look at Sluff's post here he has the photo resizer info in his signature line.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Rerun on November 18, 2008, 08:39:37 AM
I'm so glad that you actually took a real vacation.  Sounds fun!!

                       :yahoo;
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: rose1999 on November 18, 2008, 10:07:29 AM
Anyway I've got a few pictures to send (not of me having a pee) of the holiday and at weekend I'll resize them and post them them.

Well if you're going to resize them I'm glad they're not of you having a pee  :rofl; :rofl;

Pleased to hear you had a good time though, looking foward to seeing the photos, hope Rita is on some of them.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: kitkatz on November 18, 2008, 11:06:12 AM
It sounds like you had fun. Cannot wait for the pics!
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: thegrammalady on November 18, 2008, 12:00:30 PM
glad you got up and went. everyone needs vacation time. looking forward to the pics   :pics;
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Sunny on November 18, 2008, 03:06:08 PM
Gla you had fun.
Post pictures when you have a chance.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: pelagia on November 18, 2008, 08:11:30 PM
It is so good to hear that it all went well.  But, you planned carefully, so of course it did.  Can't wait to see some photos!
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Bajanne on November 18, 2008, 08:26:16 PM
 :clap; Great news!  Glad you had a good vacation.  Waiting for the picts............
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Mimi on November 18, 2008, 10:59:16 PM
Oh you lucky dog you.  The Canary Islands!!!  WOW!!!  I know you had a good time.
Send those pics.

Mimi
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: BigSteve on November 21, 2008, 03:09:17 PM
Great to hear about your vacation Ken. There was no problem with the cycler being put into the baggage compartment?
I was wondering if the padding around it was sufficient to prevent damage when the handlers throw it. Hope this means
I won't have to put it under the seat when I finally can go on a vacation.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: george40 on November 21, 2008, 04:48:28 PM
BigSteve, at my clinic you have to reserve a flight case for flying like 2 weeks in advance. Its one of those hard / shock proof cases so you can check it in. Your clinic probably have one or two.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on November 23, 2008, 03:59:02 PM
Great to hear about your vacation Ken. There was no problem with the cycler being put into the baggage compartment?
I was wondering if the padding around it was sufficient to prevent damage when the handlers throw it. Hope this means
I won't have to put it under the seat when I finally can go on a vacation.
Hi Steve. This worried me too but it got there and back with no damage. When I first got the cycler Baxter provided me with a hard case with padding on the inside and when I went away they also gave me a big label saying 'FRAGILE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL EQUIPEMENT' in just about every European Language. You also check it in down a special chute for fragile items.
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: rose1999 on November 23, 2008, 11:11:28 PM
We're still  :waiting; for the :pics;
Title: Re: Just Back from Vacation
Post by: rose1999 on November 23, 2008, 11:45:37 PM
 :oops; found them on another thread!!