Patient Advocates/home health care?
I was just approved for surgery. (no date yet) My biggest concern is that I am going into this alone. I don't have any family in the area, and my friends all work during the day. I am concerned about having problems in the hospital and not being able to get help. During a previous hospital stay, I had a problem with one nurse who would take her sweet time getting into my room when I needed pain medication or was having a reaction to something.
Also, does anyone know if there are home health care providers from Penrose? Being home alone for the first few days could also be a little tough. My neighbors will check on me when they get home from work, but I am just a little worried about that too.
Congratulations on your approval for the surgery. It will begin a wonderful new chapter in your life! I just had WLS on July 25 and your questions really hit home with me. Good news on the pain medication front in that you should have a morphine pump hooked up which allows you to push a button to medicate yourself. Very effective. I am sorry to say the nurses are still not as attentive as one would like but I could always contact one immediately via their walkie talkie system. Getting one to actually come to the room was more difficult however. One suggestion is to request a room very close to the nursing station which is where nurses tend to mull around when they are not seeing patients. They would also tend to drop in more often since you are so close. I was put in the "back 40" so drop in visits were few and far between it seemed.
I don't live in the Springs so I'm can't answer your question regarding home health care provider. A couple of suggestions however - 1) I hear they have a very good WLS support group in the Springs so possibly you could recruit someone from the group to drop by after surgery to make sure everything is going well. 2) Get as prepared as possible by planning and buying what you will eat post-surgery, plan your exercise routines, order your vitamins, etc. For example, I purchased a new treadmill a couple of months prior to surgery since I new it was going to be my primary form of exercise pre-and post surgery. You can learn a lot about these needs from the boards here.
Best of luck.
Terry
Thanks Terry...I had an appt with my surgeon this morning. (Got a date..Oct 3) He assured me that they will not let me go until I am able to be on my own, but they also have a home health service through the hospital. Penrose also has a dedicated Bariatric center now, and some of the nurses have had the surgery. (so they will be particularly sensitive to my needs)
There is a great support group in the Springs and I am hoping to attend their Sept meetings.
I am excited...scared....happy....terrified....excited....nervous....you know...! Thanks for your response.
Hi Joan. It was nice to meet you at the support group meeting. I am the other person with Cigna and I don't work for the same company as you, remember me now? I wish you luck in your surgery and maybe I'll see you at the next meeting, which will be Sept 23, Friday. I hope you were able to get someone to help you out after your surgery during the day. It will be important. I am waiting for my approval, and will also need someone to maybe help out. My sister lives here in town but is extremely busy. But I do have an awesome neighbor that might help out, so I will keep the faith also. Take care Joan.
HI Anna,
Sure I remember you. We had a nice conversation at the meeting! I will be at the next one for sure. I did find out from Dr. F. that there is a home health care nurse who could help me if I need it. My neighbors will check on me, I am sure. But I will have to figure out something for feeding the dogs and cats for the first few days, and vacuuming. The gal who is staying with them while I am in the hospital might be available, although she lives in the Springs. I am sure it will work out. These things do!
See you in a couple of weeks.
Joan
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