Suggestions for time leading up to surgery...

I had to spend 1 week in the hospital, then 1 week or 10 days in a hotel.  If my memory is correct, I had to spend a week in that hotel room and then I could go home.   The longer you spend at the hospital, the less time you spend in the hotel.  It's 2 weeks after surgery that Dr. K wants you to be close by in case something happens.

And Dr. K is going to want someone with you the whole time you are staying at the hotel.  So know that going into the chat you have with him about staying there alone.

I ended up getting an infection in my incision (from the hospital) that was just starting to kick in as I left the hotel.  I didn't want to go sight seeing with my sister.  I just wanted her to drive me home so I could get back to my dog.  But if I didn't have the infection, I probably would been up for doing something with her.

Finding out where the hospital will be will really help nail down some help on this.

Thanks for the clarification and sharing more of your experience. 

I just heard back from my supplemental insurance plan and there isn't a waiting period as I'd previously been told. I can move ahead now once I get the logistics in place! That may make it easier for someone to join me.

 I can't wait to be on the other side!

Tricia

I hope to have everything in place for my surgery by mid-week.

I haven't been able to arrange a friend or family member to accompany me so I'll there on my own, too.I am fine spending the hotel time on my own (better than feeling like I have to entertain my company or guilty if I can't). I'll just make sure I'm careful about how I talk with Dr K & staff about it.

Normally I like to play it safe but I'm not going have no one with me getting in the way of having this surgery. I referred from a bad car accident including a brain injury on my own, so I'll manage this, too.

Did the hotel you stayed at work out well? If so, would you mind giving me the name?

Thanks so much for showing me it's possible.

Tricia

My hotel wasn't all that great.  Just one of many on that strip of hotels.  If you do a mapquest search of the area around your hospital, you will find hotels nearby.  I had my surgery in Glendale, and my hotel was a ways away.  I remember we drove up a huge hill away from the hospital.

I did get the hotel before I left, made reservations and such.  Since I was self paying, price was an issue for me so I found the best one I could afford at the time.

Definitely check out if there is a recliner, or a tall back chair in your room - (and a mini frig with a microwave).  I could not sleep in a bed till I was about 8 weeks out, and many people experience this.  I slept sitting up in the hospital also.  I put a chair up against the wall, and put another chair in front of me so I could put my legs up.  That is how I slept while I was at the hotel.   My friend went out and bought me a travel pillow so I didn't wake up with kinks in my neck.

Pasadena isn't that far from Glendale. (I actually had my surgery in Pasadena at Huntington Memorial.) Sounds like you will, too.

I could definitely pick you up from the hospital and get you settled in to your hotel. And check in on you via phone every day. You will be spending most of your time sleeping, so it shouldn't be too bad!

Try to find a hotel that has a comfortable arm chair with a foot rest. I spent most of my recovery time in a recliner and it really did help.

Let me know if I can be of any help! :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are an angel.

I'll be in touch once I get some more things settled.

I can't believe this is finally coming together!  I've been fat my entire life (since a few months old & I turn 54 next month). It's like getting out of prison after being on death row.

Thank you SO much for your generosity.

Tricia

It's so exciting! Just think, a year from now, your life is going to be completely different! 

I'll PM my phone number to you. :)