First trip with the Cycler

[mark m]

I am taking my first trip with the Nxstage Cycler. I am flying to Arkansas for four days and having the supplies delivered. Does anyone have any tips for me? I used to fly with my PD cycler and never had any problems. I am a bit nervous and am just hoping that I remember everything.

Thanks,

-Mark.

[monrein]

  All the best.  Sounds very exciting to me and I'm sure it'll go well.

[Roadrunner]

Mark,
This is a list I compiled from various sources.  Hope it helps you.  We haven't taken a trip yet but are hoping to take one soon. 

Enjoy your trip.

• cycler and electrical cord from cycler to wall
• warmer unit and cord from warmer to cycler
• an extension cord that has multiple outlets
• pole for dialysate bags
• iv pole (we never use it)
• saline bags
• cartridges
• dialysate bags
• warmer bags (have the  connectors on them)
• drain lines
• tape
• 2 x2 gauze
• alcohol swabs
• gloves
• tweezers
• tourniquet
• clamps if you use them
• 10cc syringes
• flow charts (record sheets)
• blue underpads
• needles blunt & sharp (in case)
• antibacterial soap (in plastic bag in case of leak)
• paper towels
• epo
• garbage bags
• Disinfection wipes
• blood pressure cuff
• thermometer
• scale
• sharps container
• 1cc syringes (for insulin)
• good light source (I use a book light)
• manuals
• Phone numbers of, your center's 24hr support number, NxStage, doctors etc.
• bring a flashlight
• a small ziplock bag of supplies in case you have a power failure or need to get off the machine quickly.
• Your system settings.... if your cycler dies and they send one to you the next day.. you need to change your system settings before you use the new cycler.  tech support can help you change the settings but each center has different settings

We don’t use these but you might
[li]Heparin[/li]
[li]Lidacaine or betadine[/li]
[li]Band-Aids[/li]

[/list]

[mark m]

Thank you so much for the list! This is exactly what I needed.   

I would have probably forgotten to bring my scale. I am hoping that I remember everything, Nxstage actually delivers my bags, and that the airline is cool.

This is why I have chose to go with home dialysis.

Thanks again! 

[Roadrunner]

 
I forgot to add the needles for heparin
Roadrunner

[Bill Peckham]

Great list Roadrunner I would add packing tape to pack up the boxes - keep this in carry on in case you have to open boxes at airport; and a screw driver for attaching the kidney holder and Saline pole (if you use one).

For flying you should print out Dori Schatell's article "Leaving on a Jet Plane" http://www.homedialysis.org/files/pdf/resources/tom/200606.pdf (PDF LINK) The article has a quote from a Department of Transportation spokesman (on first page right column) that seems to carry a lot of weight with ticket counter agents.

When flying remember that there is a firm 100 pound weight limit. This means that you should not put anything in the case with the cycler - no cord, no stay dry pack - because it is suppose to weigh 99 pounds. In fact if the airport scale is off and it says you are over 100 pounds remember that you can remove the "jewel box" on the back of the machine. Also plan on the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) opening the cycler's travel container for this reason I put a 3x5 card taped to the front bar that says "This is not a handle" and tape on top that points to the two carrying handles that says "These are handles".

Most people I know that fly with the cycler are prepared to tip sky caps and such as needed - bring a bunch of one dollar bills.

[twirl]

you will do fine
and I wish I was more like you
would be to afraid to do what you are doing
good for you
live your life to it's best

[mark m]

Thanks for the tips and support. 

[mark m]

Well I am packing everything up today and leaving tomorrow morning. I will keep you all posted. I am not sure how I am going to pack my pole? I should have kept the tube it came in... Good news is that my supplies arrived where I am staying.

[okarol]

  I hope you have fun in Arkansas!

[paris]

Have a wonderful trip!  Thank goodness for Nxstage----freedom to travel.  Can't wait to hear all about you trip when you get home.

[skyedogrocks]

For those that travel with it, what about when you are done with a run?  Are hotels ok with you throwing it out?  We want to go away for a few days this summer and travel with it.  I'm just wondering if they are ok with the garbage bags of used filters.

[mark m]

OK... I survived my trip.

It is not impossible. Best thing I did was to call the airline in advance and have them put a note in my itinerary. This saved me from having to pay any additional money at the gate. People at the gate have no idea of the law and do not back down. Once they saw the note they were cool.

All my supplies were in my room when I got there. I was able to do three treatments wile there with no problems. The garbage was easy, I just double bagged it like I do at home and set it outside the door. I left a nice tip on the table when I left.

I have attached a pic of my setup in the room. I would start my treatments around 4 in the morn. so I could be off by breakfast, my favorite meal... I slept through most of it. I will post more details as I think of them.

The Ozarks are quite beautiful!


-Mark.

[alrightstill]

Hey mark! 

Congrats on your first trip with the nxstage!

I have a question - what did you use to put the machine on the plane?  I read on the nxstage site that the black "travel case" provided by the centers isn't suitable for planes.  This freaked my mom and I out last summer when we traveled to Cali - so instead we paid $230 to ship the machine ahead of time UPS... That was a bad idea that deserves a post of its own.. but anyway.  Just curious!  Thanks!

[mark m]

Hey alright,

I used the original shipping box. I bought a one of those suitcase wheelie things that collapse down. It worked great.  It is not 100 percent easy but it worked. They gave me a lot of attitude about it being an over sized box but I just kept repeating that it was a medical life supporting device.   

The tricky part was the pole. I carried it on both ways sandwiched and taped between cardboard. It fit in the over head of the 737 but on the small plane they took it from me and put it in the cargo hold.

It was an adventure. You have to have a can do attitude and I don't think that you can over plan. The details in this post are what saved me.

[st789]

Enjoy and have a blast for those of us not on vacation yet.

[monrein]

So glad all went well.   Sounds like you'd do it again and that's the ticket.