By myself for surgery....

I need advice....My date came up so fast I was logisticly unprepared. My entire family is going to be in Cleveland for my brothers college graduation so no one will be available to come with me. My husband is dropping me off but has to leave to take care of the kiddos. I think I am going to have to go it alone until Friday. Did you find you really needed a support person that first day. I know I will be on meds and sort of out of it. My husband will be there first thing Friday. Any thoughts?

Bridget, although it is nice to have him close by, you know why he can't be, that is the difference between no one being there cause they are being selfish or just busy.  between your nurses and roomate to socialize with believe me you will be busy and sleeping and walking. I'm sure you will be fine.  the phone is always right there to talk with him if you need a chat.  before you know it he will pick you up and bring him home (will he be home in 2 days)?? you will be strong and fine. your first 2 days home will be harder, as for me getting up off the chair or couch was the hardest part, feels like your tummy has done a million situps....Good LUck ... keep us posted..Honk, cheryl

As long as you have somebody for you when you are recovering at home You will make out fine. The time for me in the hospital kind of flew by. Day of surgery was a blur I don't remember much cause I had to have meds for nausea that made me sleep a lot. I was up and moving Tuesday and came home Wednesday. Take a calling card to the hospital so you can call friends  family etc. that will help The calling cards just make it so you don't get billed on your hospital bill. Best wishes

I agree that if as long as you have someone to help you the first couple of days at home the support you have in the hospital from the nurses will be sufficient.  I don't know how they are at your hospital but I know the nurses CMMC were fantastic and very caring so my needs were met.  Good luck.

For  me i sent hubby to work the day of surgery.  He took me to hospital and  would of stayed but  him sitting for  5 hours   two  while i was prepped and  up to three for surgery did not impress me. He was only  5 minutes away if he was needed.   After surgery   the first day  he was there as soon as i got to my room but  I quickly sent him on his way as  i was groggy  and  was real sleepy.  My dad  showed up that evening.   I did not let anyone come to see me the second day.  I did talk on phone with them   but it was   my worse day and I dont like entertaining if i dont feel well.   They all cam back in on friday for a bit to visit  and then i came home on saturday.   If possible  make sure you get your  perscriptions at the hospital pharmacy if you can as some of the  pharmacies dont  carry  the   pain medicine you need.     We had to drive around to different   pharmacies to get what i needed and all i wanted was to get home and go to sleep i was so tired of waiting.  But it is a  matter of individual choice.   We are waiting here on the bench for you.    Have a wonderful weekend

I've heard that about the pain medications before.  When I voiced my concern to a nurse at Dr. Huang's office I was told they've never heard of anyone having problems getting the medication...even in Caribou.  Hmmm.  I've already decided to get what I can at the hospital pharmacy. Also...I will also be alone.  My boyfriend will drive me to Bangor the day before and leave just as soon as I'm admitted.  He'll drive back to Caribou to work and he'll return to bring me home the day I'm released.  He has told me to call him but from what I've heard I'll be sleeping and walking...not much of anything else.

I  just checked my  medicine  that i had gotten the day i came home from   the hospital  and I had to go to bangor  union street  hannaford for my liquid pain medicine because  brewer hannaford did not carry it at the time.   But you could always check  before you left the hospital.

Hi!  I sent my hubby home to get the kids off to school once I was admitted to the hospital. There wasn't much he could do except sit around and he doesn't like hospitals anyways!  It meant more to me for him to be able to get the kids safely to school.  The doc called him once surgery was over and Dh came over in the evening with the kids...but I was still kinda out of it.  The next day, I was at the hospital by myself and the nurses were really good (DH went to work). I was moving around pretty well, rested when I needed to, PCA for pain meds (hardly used them). DH brought the kids up the second night to visit and I was much more awake and able to handle visitors at that point.  I went home the third day, but was so busy with the leak test and drinking my little one ounce cups of water that the day flew by!  First day home, I stayed alone too.  Mom and dad wanted to come stay with me, but I didn't feel like "entertaining". I was sore but did ok by myself.  I just stayed on 1 level of the house while alone, walked alot in the house and a little outside (had my cell phone with me all the time). Mom and dad called me serveral times as did Dh to make sure I was ok.  I think I did better on my own...rested when I wanted, etc.   So, I did ok without many people around........I think as long as your pain is pretty well controlled, you'll probably be ok.....just walk and drink plenty!.....just my opinion!  Have a great day! Good luck!  Ruth

when my dh went to p/u my pain meds they didn't carry them at Rite Aide, auburn, it took 24 hours to get it, good idea to get rx before you have surgery, unless you want mine, i've got a full bottle, never touched...

I asked the nurse if it would be possible to get a prescription before surgery and that's when she said no one ever has problems having their prescriptions filled...even in Caribou.  Grrr.  I'll just make sure everything is filled before leaving EMMC.   The reason I asked about it is because my daughter went to Wal*Mart to have her allergy med refilled and they didn't have it.  She told me they usually don't.   She usually calls a few days before she needs it to make sure they'll have it when she needs to have the prescription filled.  Unfortunately that time she forgot.  When she told me this I remembered reading here in the forums that people have problems getting prescriptions filled.  That's why I asked the nurse.  When she said there wouldn't be any problems I asked what the med is that they usually prescribe so that I could check beforehand to see if it's available around here but she said there's no way of knowing what will be prescribed until after the surgery.  Grrrr!