Question:
Support needed for initial consult?

My initial consult with Dr. Cerabona in Valhalla, NY is on Tuesday. I had a friend who was going with me as support and an extra set of ears. She just called and has had an emergency and can't make it. I'm not a basket case over this but was hoping for someone to bounce things off of on the 3 hour drive home to Albany. <p>I've got my medical history, family medical history, and list of questions ready to go. I was a computer systems analyst before retirin on disability. I'm a darn good Internet researcher, web site designer, events coordinator for an historic site....I am more than a little logical in my approach to life. <p>Am I being more than a little whiney about wanting to have someone there with me???    — katie-mae (posted on February 3, 2002)

February 3, 2002
Hi..I am a pre-op too...and I just got my consult appointment..and mine is about a three hour drive there too..and I already asked (sorta told) my husband he was going with me. I took my mom to my dieticians appointment and psych test just to have someone to talk my nervous energy out with....so no I would not say you are a weeny...besides who wants to drive three hours by themselves..not me..so I wouldn't feel bad about asking someone to come. so good luck on your consult...if you were a little closer than across the country I would totally volunteer to be that person!!!
   — Jessica L.

February 3, 2002
NO, you are not being whiney about wanting to have someone go with you. Unfortunately, I'm also a couple of thousand miles away or I'd volunteer. Hope you can find someone to go with you.
   — garw

February 3, 2002
I had to drive 3 hours for my consult and surgery. For my consult, a friend went with me and we made a day of fun out of it. We visited with a mutual friend who lived in the town where the doctor is, had lunch, went shopping and then to the doctor's appointment. I am so glad I had someone with me to talk with - I was nervous and excited. And my appointment was at 4:30 and we didn't leave the doctor's office til 7:30, so it was great not having to drive home alone at night. My sister went with me when I went for surgery. It was wonderful to have someone to be with during that time too. I wasn't nervous about the surgery, but I was afraid something would happen to cancel it. We even had to go a day earlier than planned because of a winter storm. We drove about two hours on ice just to get there and woke up the next morning to 8 inches of snow. I live in Texas and believe me, we aren't used to that kind of weather. So, try to find someone to go with you. It's good to have company when facing something like this.
   — Patty_Butler

February 4, 2002
My girlfriend was scheduled for her initial consultation (also 3 hrs from here) and wanted me to go with her. I had time for a little research beforehand..and ended up making an appointment for MYSELF for the same day! It ended up we went to EVERYTHING together - even had our surgeries on the same day, her first - then me.. I don't know how I would have been able to keep such a clear head and take it all so calmly if she hadn't been with me.. literally HOLDING MY HAND THE WHOLE WAY!! Now, we're both 7 weeks post-op (MY LOSS: 35 lbs...HER LOSS: 40 lbs) and we're BOTH so glad we had each other to help us through it..!! SOOO.. find a friend who might just benefit from the surgery..and see what he/she thinks.. GOOD LUCK..!!
   — Diane E.