John's Hopkins Bayview Support?

Does anyone here go to the Bayview support meetings?  I have to attend at least one, as a pre-requisite for surgery. Just curious to see, if I'd meet any of you lovely people there.

Hi Lisa -

I don't, as I'm not a Bayview patient, but I just wanted to make sure you know you're welcome at any of our gatherings.

We'd love to meet you, too!

Tia

Hi Lisa,

Yes, I went in September to fulfill my pre-op obligation.  But I enjoyed it, there was a guest speaker.  I planned to go again on the 3rd week of the month in Oct. but I had a follow sleep study that night and didn't want to hang around for hours waiting to go to bed!  LOL!!!  I do plan to go in November.  When it gets closer to the date, remind me that you're going. 

Mari

I'm going to try to go in November also!

Unfortunately, it conflicts with my work schedule so i have never been.  I do enjoy the online support OH provides.  Hopefully we can meet at one of the social activities OHers are planning.  Will you be able to coem to the holiday brunch december 7th? 

I have to re-arrange my work schedule so I can make it to one. I guess they assume everyone works during the day!

I would like to make the holiday gathering. I won't know until the date gets closer. December is really busy for me.. lots of birthdays in the family that month for some reason.  I do want to make a gathering soon though!

Lisa,

That and even for people who work during the day the time they meet isn't so great either.  I'd have to leave work early in order to make it in time without my daughter.  I asked Pat if they could make it closer to 6pm and she said that as much as they LOVE us wls patients, they want to go home too!  HMPH!  If the times were better for us, more of us would go!

Uh?  I find that interesting because I too am amazed and have said more than once to my husband how in the world they expect people who work to get to these support group meetings.  I too have to take off early if I want to get there on time.  I would think if they would make them a reasonable time like you said, more people would come.  Frankly, I'm a little dismayed at that attitude

Same here!  And this was said to me when I was ASKED TO BE A SPEAKER!  You'd think they'd have one a month when it was more convenient like at 7pm during the week or a Sat or Sun meeting just to be flexible for more people.

Heather,

So does someone from the hospital sit in on the support group meeting every time?  The September 3rd wk mtg.  Margaret Furtado was there and she had a guest speaker.  Then I think it must have been Pat also there.  What about the other hospitals?  What are the time frames like for their support groups I wonder?  The support groups are supposed to be critical to long term success, as publicized, then they need to be reasonably available to the majority.  One other thought...JH has an information seminar at the Columbia Medical Center.  I wonder why they don't have a support group at that location?   That might be worth suggesting.