Wednesday's meeting

I am going to Wednesday nights meeting in Bangor. This is my first and required meeting. Since I am afraid of driving back up north at night (moose patrol) is it required that I stay for the entire meeting? Are any of you going to be there? Robin

Hi Robin, I was wondering if there was a reason why you are making the Wednesday night meeting your first if you have a night traveling issue. There are currently meetings on the third Saturday of each month at EMMC 1-3pm. I would assume they want you to stay for the full 2 hrs. I think you would want to. Check with Lynn or Edith to see what they think about the situation. I'm not sure if I can go. I'll know more that day...it depends on my husbands homework for that night. But I'll try. Casey

I am going to Wednesday's because I also have the 2 informational meetings that day. I get to do it all on Wednesday. Makes it well worth the trip. Robin

Hi Robin, I sorta figured there must be other things that day...I'd sleep over if it is going to be scary driving at night. Casey

Hi Robin, I am not sure what your schedule is but I know Riverside Inn attached to the hospital has great rates for patients and family and maybe you could stay the night & drive home the next morning. I don't know if it's required but once I got there I did not want to leave. Peoples questions and testimonials were so interesting, I felt as if I were speaking. Remember not to sell yourself short becasue your in a hurry. You could wait till a later date so that the days will be a little longer. I know when I did my first meeting, it was recommeded that I go to a Wednesday night meeting over the Saturday for that particular time because of the Dietitian and the possibly the chance of one of the Doctor's being there. Now having said that, they also said it was my decision. BUT people please correct me if I am wrong, the meetings on Saturday's are held by patients and not the dietitan or doctors. I am not knocking this meeting becasue I am sure to be attending these after my surgery. I think having others in the support group like me is a great idea. I am glad I attended the Wednesday night meeting for my first one becasue it covered all aspects I needed in a short amount of time. Kinda like killing two birds with one stone. Janine

Thanx for the reply Janine, I didn't realize that the Doctor or Dietician would be at the Wednesday meeting. That IS an added bonus. I originally planned to spend the night in Bangor but my husband feels that since the day (for us) will be over at 7, we should just come home. I could always change his mind and just might. We'll see how tired he is after the long day. Robin

I found my paperwork for these meetings I am going to and Janine was right. The support group meeting is being lead by Dayna Emerson the Dietician. The 1st class is at the Healthcare Mall Suite 11. Now, I have seen this building from the road, I hope Suite 11 will be easy to find. Anyone know exactly which end or door I should enter? Also, I am in a wheelchair. Will this be a problem for getting into any of the meetings or classes? Robin

Robin, I just wanted to add that Rose Marie who runs the Saturday group is a clinical psycologist who in fact was the one who started the support groups. They wouldn't allow just patients to run a meeting. It counts just as much as a group led by Lynn or Dayna. There's no extra brownie points for going to one of theirs over Rosie's. Go through the main enterance. When I went there were signs. Wheelchairs are no problem. Goodluck, Casey

Hi Casey, Thanks for the additional info on the psychologist. I was planning on attending these meetings regardless, since Saturday is the better day for me. You are right about either meeting being counted. The important thing is to get to a meeting. Janine

It is not very hard to find. We parked in the vistors parking lot and a but of a walk and took an elevator. The hospital is well equipt with weelchair accesses. I know my info meeting was right next to the conference room where the support group was. Chances are you won't be the only one in a weelchair. If I am not mistaken at the main entrance you look up and you can see the tables in the cafeteria. I know that the rooms I had my info session & support group in are located next to them. so I believe it is directly above the main entrance. (Not the emergency entrance.) So in answer to your question I would go to the main entrance, When your driving you will pass Riverside, then the emergency entrance, then the parking lots, turn left at the lights. then the next left will bring you directly in front of the main entrance (straight ahead probably 1000 feet or more) Parking is on the left. Once inside the main entrance, go past the gift shop there will be elevators on your left. Go up one floor and presto!! the cafeteria should be right behind the elevators (above the gift shop). gto the right of the elevators there should be a waiting area with a desk in the middle. There is a conference room past that, then the next room is the information session room we had. I think it should be the same. Other than that do not be afraid to ask any employee you see. They are trained to helpful if they can't tell you they will direct you to someone who can. Janine