Live alone

I was wondering if could get some feedback on how mobile and self efficacent people are shortly after surgery

I ask because I live alone and have no family in Ontario. My sister is willing to fly in and stay with me a week, but she won't be able longer then a week. Will I need my mother to fly in for week 2-3? My mom isn't keen on flying and I will have to pay for the ticket and etc. She is will to come, but I'm nervous of having to rely on her. She is nervous nelly on a lot of things.

So basically, can I do it alone after my sister leaves? I have tones of friends that are supportive of me and will be able to do any shopping or heavy lifting I need and will drop by everyday or so.

Thoughts ?

I think, based on my own experience only, that you'll be fine, alone.

If you're at all like me, you'll also be happier alone. 

IMHO no one needs to fly in for you, not even your sister, unless you really want her to.

My son stayed with me the night I got home from the hospital, but it really was not necessary.  Yes, it took time to get in and out of bed, and it took care to not hurt myself, but honestly?  I have lived alone for so long that I absolutely did not want anyone here.

I have a telephone and I could call for assistance (i.e. 911) were it necessary.  It wasn't.  I had no problems.   I'd done all my necessary heavier shopping in advance (i.e. canned goods, etc.) and knew that friends and neighbours were there if I needed them.

Don't stress -- your Centre wants to make sure you have support, but you do not need someone to be with you,

Besides, I felt very comfortable, alone, having a wee cry and curse as I tried a bit too hard to get out of bed.  *grin*

I hope this helps.

:)

Marilyn (aka mmm)

 

Aww, thanks .
I'm not sure if I will I want my sister to come out, not sure if I wanna be alone either. Urgh. Well I have a ways to figure that out.

Friends have their own families that always a piorority ( as it should be) I just don't wanna be stuck in pain and alone.

I had to stay an extra night in the hospital, then had to take a five hour train ride home alone. The day after I got home I had to jump right into my normal life which consisted of driving my son to school and picking him up. I think it's up to you, what makes you most comfortable. I had no choice but jump right in and do everything and I survived lol.

Awesome! Great! Okay. I'm feeling much better about it now! Thanks for sharing

I stayed an extra 3 nights in a hotel near my surgeon in case of post op problems and a friend stayed in the hotel with me to stand by as I got in/out the slippery bathtub for my daily shower and pulled me off the toilet the first day or so as I found it so low .... i stayed the last night alone and took a 2 hour train journey home alone, but used a porter for my luggage as couldn't lift things. At home alone I was ok as live in an apt so was able to walk the corridors and use elevator ( was told no stairs for first couple of weeks and no lifting for a month). You should be ok alone, but might want your friends to look in on you and check on you....you will be sleeping a lot the first week anyway until you feel stronger.

Good luck

I live alone also and my sister flew in and stayed with me for 2 weeks.  I felt comfortable with that, because she is a RN and this was the first time in 59 years i had surgery.  I was glad she was there.  She basically waited on my hand and foot, made my meals, and went walking together.  But again she is a nurse, so the basic instinct of taking care of someone is there.  She probably could have gone home after a week, but i was glad she stayed for two weeks.

Sound like you have things arranged. You will do fine. When I got back to my room i sent family home. They came to pick me up. While I do have a hubby I was able to take care of myself. As long as you have someone to help with lifting, driving the first few days you will be fine.

You wont be able to drive while taking narcotics. As well if you run into any problems you want to make sure you have someone to call to get you to the hospital. You wil need help to lift laundry basket etc...

I'm trying to look at everything I can Leslie. Just wanna be prepared when its " go time "

I had my surgery may 30 (a Thursday). My mom sat in my hospital room most of the day Thursday and Friday. Didn't really need her but felt better knowing she was there. My biggest issue in hospital was I needed help getting to bathroom, and when I rang for help it sometimes took half an hour until they came.
When I got home on Saturday my nanny took care of me. (I'm a single mom). At that point the care really only involved bringing me a water or a yogurt or whatever. I just couldn't go up and down the stairs. Sunday and Monday I would come downstairs once, spend some time with my kids and then back to bed. I was exhausted. Tuesday I stopped taking pain killers during the day. I had rides to and from school arranged for my girls through wed but knew by Thursday I had to start driving them again. I am still taking one painkiller before bed because I am a restless sleeper and move around a lot, and that is when I am sore.
I will say that while I was basically fine on wed and thurs, Fri and sat I had a lot more pain again. Not enough for more painkillers but enough that I just stayed in bed. Today was much better again. I had to drive my girls to a birthday party where I sat on a chair, and then to visit my parents where I sat on the couch. By the time I got home I had a 2 hour nap. It wiped me out. I imagine that will get better as I start taking in more food and more protein.
If you live in a house that has stairs, I would say you need help. If an apartment is probably manageable. Also, if you have pets you may want to arrange care. I had my dogs (who only weigh 3 lbs each) stay with a friend for a few days.