DARREN
Hi Alison
Arrived home today after 16 days in Florida and managing to survive Irma (the most terrifying experience of my life to date)!!!
I thought i'd let you know how i got on with the flights. Please feel free to share with anyone else with a fear of flying who approaches you for help......and to that person from me.......
Before seeing Alison, my fear of flying was up there with death itself. This was my last attempt at quashing my fear of flying before hanging up my Holidays abroad by plane for good. I was absolutely terrified of flying; panic attacks,sweats,palpatations and shear fear of falling out of the sky were just the tip of the iceberg.
The flight out was ok. I think the mere fact that Hurricane Irma was in the vicinity of our flight path put me more on edge than i would have normally been. Take off was better, i actually manged to look out of the window as we climbed up through the clouds. Mid flight again was ok, although as i said,Irma was still in the forefront. We landed safely, i certainly wasn't the usual sweating mess on landing.
Holiday over, i found the last few days far more pleasant than previous trips abroad. Historically the thought of the flight home would certainly put a dampener on the last few days. Didn't even think about this time until the morning we were due to fly. Again , no butterflies or anxiety which was a very pleasant change.
Got to the airport, has a couple of whiskies and boarded. Sat chatting with James as we taxied onto the runway which was most novel. As we took off i was fine, again managed to look out of the window. Hit a bit of turbulence as we climbed, not a problem; just kept reminding myself 'air-bumps'.
Mid flight was ok, lot of minor turbulence which i managed to deal with fine.
Stress and anxiety levels were nowhere near to previous flights, managed to eat my in flight food and quite enjoyed it.
My fear of the landing gear not opening on landing was still in my mind, but that was it. I managed the flight very well.
While i will never say that i enjoy flying, i can now do it as a means to an end without making my self ill.
So just wanted to say a big thank you for alleviating a lot of my fears and for allowing me to deal with them in a rational manner allowing me to jet off with my family for the first time ever without crumbling into a complete mess.
Will definately come again for a top up prior to my next holiday.
Thanks again
Darren
22 September 2017 via email
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