11/15/2011- We get up at O'Dark:30 to catch our flight. I had called to get the wheelchair transport service to pick us up at 5:30... they get there at 6:00, but we get to the airport with plenty of time to spare - actually almost too much time as Dad starts to get agitated with the wait. Although we've been talking about the trip, trying to build it up these past couple of days, he's still not quite sure about what's going on. We give him a Benadryl to help relax him say our goodbyes to Mom and wheel onto the plane.
We have to change planes in Phoenix, which was about the worst experience EVER! We landed and had 30 minutes to hike it across two concourses and board the plane to Yuma (recall, airlines start boarding 30 minutes prior to takeoff). Even with the little airport wheelchair guy helping with Dad, we get to the gate for immediate boarding (we're the last ones to get there) and we have to go down an elevator to go outside and load up a ramp! The little boys that were supposed to be helping us were no help whatsoever. *I* lifted Dad from the airport wheelchair to the aisle chair, with no help from either one of them, then, thinking they had the ramp to plane thing under control, I went on up to my seat on this puddle-jumper aircraft (seats two/aisle/two) thankfully we were in the second row (or at least that's where I saw two seats and I took them!) They're taking unusually long to board, so I get up to check and see if maybe he's being difficult. They've gotten him up to the last three feet where the ramp narrows and I hear him yelling, "You're breakng my arms!" One's in front, one's behind and they're just clueless. Dad isn't even sitting on the seat and the seatbelts they've got crossed in front of him are,...and I yell, "You're choking him!" so, the one fellow between me and Dad scoots in a little closer to him and I reach between the guy's legs to boost Dad back up onto his seat. About five more minutes of ordeal and he's in the seat. All fired up! But he gets settled down and the flight attendant offers him a bite-size Snicker from her own snack stash as this is only an hour flight, there's not even drink service. He takes a 1/4 bite of that little candy.
Finally, we land! to the two BEST wheelchair assistance guys! I said, "You guys need to go train those boys in Phoenix!" ;-) Anyway, this is one of those sweet little airports like you see in the old movies, no big terminals/gates, just walk in off the tarmac, across the hall and you're out the door! 
So, we were met, practically "at the gate" by Dr. Fredda Branyon, Clinic Founder/Director, and Larry O'Toole who has become my best friend in the last five days. I just cried! It's like a deep sigh of relief, we finally made it! Hope is in sight! Larry & Luis take Dad to "the facilities", then we load up and we're on our way into Mexico!
BY THE WAY.... THANKS SO MUCH to Dad's friend Doug who flew down from Indiana to help with the transition from the hospital, being home for a couple days (needed that forklift strength!) and making the plane rides with us to Yuma. Even though we were seats apart, it was such a comfort just knowing you were in the near vicinity if I needed your assistance. ;-)
HELLOOOOOOO YUMA!
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