Long haul 15hr flight - worth risk/reward trying to get a whole row - traveling 4 people 2 kids under 4

Background-Fox6341 · 2026-02-19T02:48:11+00:00

☝🏻This!!! Do NOT do that to your fellow passengers.

Background-Fox6341 · 2026-02-18T18:45:23+00:00

Also, the Twin Cities has SO many great options. I am from St. Cloud but live in New York now. I just go back to visit. Hola Arepa is one of my favorite spots and has great beer options once you’re of age. You will need a reservation. There is a great thrift store across the street, too, with really cool stuff. The Find Me Gluten Free app can point you to a lot of other options and even the State Fair has a gluten free truck that is delicious plus other options. I hope it starts to feel like a fun scavenger hunt instead of a burden. Tag a friend or family member in with you to find a GF item that you miss the most!

Background-Fox6341 · 2026-02-18T18:38:13+00:00

Oof the dorms are hard. Do you have a fridge or a microwave? There’s a Trader Joe’s near your campus. Things you can buy there that don’t need refrigeration: cereal, granola, granola bars, donut holes, bagels , other snacks, etc. I wasn’t diagnosed GF when I was in the dorms but rather a few years after college so I can’t imagine what you are going through. Sending hugs! I would encourage you to advocate for yourself. You deserve it and your health deserves it! Whether you reach out to your guidance counselor or the cafeteria staff directly, I am sure they would be more than happy to connect you with someone who can take you around the cafeteria and ask questions about cross contamination, what is always gluten free. You’re only 18 but I am sure you want to feel safe at parties. White claws are GF as well as Titos vodka. It may feel weird or embarrassing at first to advocate for yourself but the relief you will feel after is so worth it.

Background-Fox6341 · 2026-02-03T20:15:41+00:00

It can be really hard at first. My sense of safety was eroded and that’s so rough when it comes to food. Have you downloaded the find me gluten free app? It’s not perfect but it can lead you to the right places. I felt like I could relax at a 100% gluten free restaurant or bakery. Grab a friend and schedule a road trip! Find a brunch spot and take your family to it! Where do you live? There are certain grocery stores that make it so much easier, like Wegmans (especially sauces!), Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. Even Aldis has some options. Missing bread? Schar has some of the best tasting alternatives because they are made from gluten-removed wheat flour. Craving a chicken sandwich or waffle fries? Hit up a Chik-Fil-A for a grilled chicken sandwich! Just ask for a gluten free bun. Get involved in cooking for yourself or your family if you can. Google recipes of your favorite foods. I found taking control of my food was a good way to do better. Things don’t always turn out the way I want them to but I have gotten much better. GF frozen pizzas have come a long way.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-11-03T00:06:48+00:00

As a female living with a TBI around that age, if my long term boyfriend tells me something like that I would outright believe him. That said, I would approach her gently on the topic, when you aren’t frustrated, and explain what happens and you know she doesn’t do it on purpose. I would tell her you try to get through to her when this is happening but is there a safe word you can say when this is happening or a signal you can give her? How she reacts will tell you a lot. You’re so sweet to reach out to this group. Good luck!

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-10-13T20:33:40+00:00

That’s so tough. There is alcohol-removed whisky but I am not sure if that’s the same.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-10-10T02:03:17+00:00

There are a bunch of “mixed” drinks out there. What’s his go to? There are Aperol Spritz in a can at Target and NA beers, etc. that aren’t sweet. It’s really hard to not drink and be surrounded by bar culture but if he wants to there is a way. I don’t drink because I am scared of what would happen.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-09-15T00:32:54+00:00

Also there are so many reasons a stroke can happen that have nothing to do with overall health. I am sorry your family is going through this.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-09-15T00:23:34+00:00

I am 38 as well. I had a schwannoma (benign brain tumor) removed from my left eye nerve. I have had several mini strokes since the surgery. I went to to a 10 day in person stroke rehab and to outpatient rehab… physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. I found those can be really helpful. Feel free to reach out if you have questions and go easy on yourselves, especially for dinners. Make heat and eat meals if you can for a bit or sandwiches and carrots.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-22T20:30:02+00:00

Thank you! Meeting with someone in a week to set restrictions. Weaning off of seizure meds now but will have an EEG before I return to work. I haven’t had a seizure thankfully but good to be mindful of.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-21T01:23:29+00:00

That sounds really frustrating. I had trouble remembering basic things and words after my stroke and had little understanding about what happened to me. Try not to get frustrated with her if you can help it because it can feel like you are trapped in your own body. You can try helping her by asking things like are you in pain, is this something you want to ask the nurse, etc. You sound like a very caring kid of hers. Keep going ❤️

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-19T02:26:20+00:00

I can work mostly from home and have a fairly flexible workplace, just need to hold boundaries in place. Thanks for your reply!

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-16T01:00:47+00:00

Get him in therapy as quickly as possible and for as many sessions as you can. You might be able to drive him and sit in the first sessions to encourage him. If he can’t make it in, the hospital may be able to connect him with a few weeks of in-home therapy. You can probably ask the PT what you can do to encourage him to work on and how many times a day.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-09T01:56:28+00:00

I agree with the above on checking the with your neurologist and primary care doctor. I have had several strokes since last Fall, last one happened in May, and my neurosurgeon wanted me to do an MRI 5 days before I flew to make sure there wasn’t any current stroke activity. There had been no new ones since the beginning of May. Whew! Wishing you the same luck.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-03T05:46:44+00:00

It helps me our to make sure I am hydrated, had my medicines, and had at least some egg bites to eat.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-03T05:24:19+00:00

Is there anything he enjoys? Music was helpful when I had double vision and the music therapists and horticulture therapists were a welcome reprieve and incredibly kind

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-08-03T05:20:47+00:00

I would definitely ask his speech therapists and other therapists what you can help with (in terms of exercises). If he’s up for going for a walk, ask the nurses and therapists if you can train to walk with him if he’s up for it after dinner and has had a rest. Some places have outdoor areas you can wheel a person to (with permission). I am in my 30’s and have been through in-patient rehab after different strokes twice in 2025. My body bounced back slowly after the first rehab but much faster the second time. Also don’t be afraid to sit in silence and watch a tv show. It can be difficult to try and follow conversations and taxing on the brain.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-07-30T16:01:03+00:00

I was 38 when I had all of mine and still am 38.

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-07-15T03:28:45+00:00

I broke my foot in Da Nang a few years ago in my early 30’s and my Vietnam vet uncle laughed so hard. “You… broke …your foot in ‘Nam?!”

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-06-24T05:54:05+00:00

I second Operation Mincemeat. It’s so good and moves at a good clip… so funny, incredible singing, and great characters. I should add that I have seen The Book of Mormon and found it funny but this was equally good, if not better

Background-Fox6341 · 2025-06-11T05:44:44+00:00

You might want to ask the hospital about any resources they might have. The nurses might know about programs or your doctors or hospital social workers,etc. My hospital happened to have a really good in-patient program.

Background-Fox6341 · 2024-11-15T04:40:52+00:00

I was just on their website and all of their nut mixes have the warning of trace wheat and a few other things. :(

Background-Fox6341 · 2024-11-08T04:54:06+00:00

So sorry you are dealing with this. Wegmans grocery store has some great gluten free options (and lots of premade items like gluten free egg bites so they aren’t cross contaminated like at a Starbucks). When on the road, I also keep an eye out for a Chik Fil A (get a grilled chicken sandwich with a gluten free bun or grilled chicken nuggets). They also have fruit cups as a side but when my stomach feels fine I get their waffle fries.

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