Daily Post 9-18-08

Sorry A little late in the day.  I forgot today was my day.....

Do you attend support groups for your surgery why or why not?

I do every month if I can make it when my schedule allows.  I think I learn something evrytime I go and I think I have something to offer those who are in the process or have recently had the surgery. 

Yes, I attend a small (under 15 people) post-op support group at Tufts, where I had my surgery.  We were asked to make a one-year commitment to the group, but can attend for as long after that as we like.  I'm still in my committed year, but I do plan to continue going for as long as I can because I get a lot out of that one.  I also attend 2 other groups that are local to me, and I may start going to a 3rd one right down the street from my house.  For the same reasons as you, I go to get support and also to provide support.  I've developed some friendships at the groups, and I like to go just to see those people too. 

I went on a pretty regular basis before and right after surgery but since then I have moved 2 hours away from the hospital, and the hospital where I work has them but invariably Im working when they have the meetings so I havent been in a while.
Vivienne

Yes, I attend once a month at the hospital where I had my surgery (one hour away) and I also attend once a month, a support group in my area.  It helps me and hopefully I can help somebody else.    Jules

No, I don't.  I go to school full time, and hold two part time jobs.  It seems whenever there is a meeting, I have other commitments.  So, OH is my support system, and I feel it does the job.

I was over the summer and I really got a lot out of it, but it's on Thursday nights and during the "school" year I volunteer at church on Thursday nights for our Alpha program.  So, no I'm not going now.  But I do go to coffees when I can with some of my local OH'ers.

I go to the surgeon the first Thursday of every month! I have already got from Oct to Dec off at work and I have sitters lined up for the Little ones that are in school. I set all my appointments up for that day because its 3 hrs away from where i live. I do much better when I attend then when I don't. I have only missed about 5 meetings since I had surgery!

At these meetings is where I get so much support that I get upset if I can not get away to go up to them!

Karen

I live on an Army post so my surgeon is actually 2 hours away, meaning so is the support group! With school on theres no way I could make it  down to the meeting. I am trying really hard to get one started here on post but the Army has so many regulations to follow. I have a meeting to go in a few weeks to submit my idea for a group. Wish me luck!

No, I don't go. after attending 4 or 5 I decided it wasn't worth my time to listen to the nutritionalist harp on us about food.  I wanted SUPPORT and not lectures.  I find OH much more supportive.