Scheduled with Dr Almanza for 04/09 but I wonder about my sister going with me...

I want to thank everyone for being so kind in responding to my other post. I'm new and still have a lot of questions.

I will be traveling with my sister and was wondering, would she be bored? Would she have to take care of me? She offered to go but I dont want her to sit there and be bored. Can you take your laptop?

She's concerned with the violence in Mexico so she plans to stay in (or at least that's what she says now)

Please share your spouses, sisters, brothers, friends experience if someone went with you.

Also, we plan to go to the San Diego Zoo the day before, is that a good idea?

Thanks!

Liz

Hi Liz!

My hubby went with me and he wasn't too bored.  He did have to help take care of me because the first 48 hours or so are pretty darn rough.  He helped me do my walking and helped me to the potty.  When we first got to the recovery house I even needed him to help me to the shower and wait in the bathroom to hand me things.  There is wifi at the recovery house as well as tvs and dvd players in every room.  The drivers take the non-patients out to get something to eat a couple of times and that was my hubby's favorite part.  On the third afternoon they took us shopping and it was really fun.  I think your sis will actually enjoy the trip.  I think the SD zoo is a great idea on the day before.  We actually went to the Ft Worth Zoo on the day we left and it was so nice to be outdoors but the only downside is that you will be on you pre-op diet and you won't be able to have any of the zoo treats.  That was kind of hard for me but not too bad.  Let me know if you have any other questions...I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

Kimberly

Thank you Kimberly,

I just celebrated my daughter's bday party at the Fort Worth Zoo last Wednesday, isn't a  pretty zoo? Specially with all the restaurants inside the FW zoo!

We want to do the SD zoo and I see it's kind of pricey ($40 a person) but figured the walking might be good for me.

How much would you say my sister would spend in going out to eat or anything else? Did your husband have a bed while you were at the clinic? We can take our laptop, right?

I've wanted to do this for sooo long and for some reason my family always manages to talk me out of it...this year I've become deaf to their comments and concerns even if I might have some of them.

Thank for your response....I CAN'T WAIT to be blogging about my experience!

Kimberly, what I meant about all the restaurants at the zoo was that...it is so hard to be on  a pre-op diet and be walking by all the stands and restaurants.

Hey Liz,
Dh went with me and the only money he spent for food was in the airports going and coming. Either Dr. Bettancourt or one of the drivers took him out to eat every meal while we werei n the hospital. After we went to the recovery house,the attendants cooked every meal for the companions,drivers and themselves. They also had broth,etc for the patients,of course.

Several times,the drivers took huge platters of food that the attendants had cooked at the recovery house,over to the guys at the hospital. when that happened,DH was invited to eat with them,while we were in the hospital.

You and your sister could spend as much or as little as you wanted when going shopping. DH and I spent a lot,LOL
We truly spent nothing on food the entire time we were there.
Good luck,you're gonna have a great experience.
Holly

Oh,I forgot. Yes,you can take laptops. There is a tv in every room at the hospital and each room at the recovery house. We were escorted everywhere by one of the drivers,we were never left alone.

DH had to help me a little immediately post op,but the nurses were very attentive to my needs as well.By the late evening of my surgery day I was getting around pretty well on my own.

At the recovery house,people gather downstairs in the den/diningroom. it was interesting meeting people from all over and hearing their stories,etc. We were not bored until close to the end of our stay and everyone else had left for home.

Thank you for all your information Holly,

Hope to get off this new member status (how long does it take)...I reply to messages but for some reason they have to be approved first :)

This site has been so welcoming and supportive...wish I've found it sooner!

Hi again!

I think my hubby only spent about $10 total because everything is soooo cheap there and they took him to little food stands on the street (they are everywhere!).  We did spend around $150 the day we went shopping...mostly on tequila and Cuban cigars for my hubby. lol

 We only spent one night at the clinic and it was full of patients so there was not a bed for him.  They wanted him to go to the recovery house but I wanted him there to help me so they let him sleep on one of the waiting room couches which were right outside my room.  They gave him pillows and blankies and my roommate's mom did the same thing because she did not want to leave either.  The other two companions that were there at the same time went on to the house and the driver brought them back first thing in the morning.  If the clinic is not full then she would be able to stay in the room with you.  You really won't know until you get there but she can stay either way.  The people there are so wonderful and will do everything possible to make you happy.

Yes, you will be able to use you laptop at the house.

I'm soooo excited for you...keep us all posted!!

Kimberly

Thank you Kimberly,

All information I have received has made it so much easier to be prepared for it. I just wish I've done it sooner....see you on the loser's bench soon!

Hey Liz,

I just returned Feb 1st from accompanying my sister.  We had a BLAST.  It was a great bonding time and we truly had fun.  It will be nice to have her there as the other poster said just to help.  She will be ifne.  There are other patients and their family members going through the same stuff, and I met alot of great people.  The violence in Mexico is contained to specific areas and mostly almost always involves drug issues.  You are at a clinic and then in a gated community completely safe.  When she sees how it really is, she may change her mind.  Good Luck to You!
Jean