Question:
I live two hours away from my surgeon which makes it pretty much impossible to attend

the support groups there. Does anyone go to a support goup in the Hartford area? Thanks!    — Lynne Z. (posted on October 3, 2003)

October 3, 2003
My surgeon's office is also a bit over 2 hours away and I go to my meetings. I guess I wonder why you can't make yours? Do you have reliable transportation? If not, check with your surgeon's office to see if at one of the meetings they can announce they have a patient in need of a ride to and from meetings that is from "_____"-area. If there is, why not see if you can carpool? Just chip in a couple bucks for gas? If you do have reliable transportation, why not see if some one at a meeting is from your area anyway-then you guys can take turns, easing the drive. How often do you want to go to meetings? I know my surgeon has 2 meetings a month, and I just go to one. Do you have job or family responsibilities? Maybe you can begin a babysitting co-op-watch a friend or neighbor's child/ren to earn time for leaving your own (if you have any)during meeting and travel time. I know firsthand that it is not fun bringing your toddler to a meeting. They never settle for the Cheerios you bring and instead like to go through other people's purses. :) Try and do that anyway, even if you end up finding a closer meeting. Just make sure to keep track of hours and how many children were there, etc. Otherwise thisngs can get ucky. If it's a jog thing, can they not let you off one night? I doubt an employer could "make" some one work on a night that they have an AA meeting or something, so why should this be any different? It's a health thing, after all! It's wonderful to get that support every month! If the drive itself is what sucks so badly, check and see if there's either a more direct route (if you want to minimize travel time) or if traffic and confusing exits give you a migraine, see if there's a way to get there using back roads. I use the backroads to my meetings, bring either a book on tape or a mix tape or whatever to cut the aggravation of finding decent radio stations, and just qualify that as "my time." I really wouldn't trade it now! I hope any of these suggestions helped you, as I have it drilled into my brain (and from personal experience) know that these meetings will generally help you in some way. If you aren't helped at one meeting, maybe you helped another. Don't deny your group your awesome experience and presence because of 120 miles!(240, counting the drive back!)
   — jenn_jenn

October 3, 2003
If you can find one closer - great! If not I think this all comes down to priorities. If its important to you then you'll find a way to make the trip. I know what its like to make that distance of a trip. Being in "hickville" USA means for me a 2-3 hour trip each way for anything the small local communities here can't offer (most types of doctors, surgeons & specialists, clothes, shoes, many things) Many people make that commute daily for work or to attend college. I know it can be hard sometimes but if your meetings are important to you, I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work for you.
   — Shelly S.

October 3, 2003
I drive 21/2 hours every other week and untill November becuase my surgeon requires it and I know its a sacafice but my life is also.
   — ALHOU99

October 4, 2003
Hartford, CT? There is nothing in your profile so I am not sure what state you are in. If it is Connecticut there are a number of support groups around. Who is your surgeon?
   — Carol S.