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Off Topic :
Preparing for surgery when you live alone

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 Eranda (original poster member #6010) posted at 1:24 PM on Saturday, November 9th, 2013

OK so I am having gall bladder surgery next Friday. I live alone, so I'm trying to think ahead and prepare so that I have what I need all ready.

I already ordered a little table with legs that slide under the sofa so that I can work from home for the week I'll be out.

My sister is bringing me home from the hospital and she will be available if I need her, but she has two small children so I want to be as little of a burden as possible.

Laundry, food in the house, everything I need to take care of the dog... what else should I be thinking about??

My Blog: http://allofthewaystohell.com/

posts: 4254   ·   registered: Dec. 11th, 2004   ·   location: eastern PA
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Williesmom ( member #22870) posted at 1:51 PM on Saturday, November 9th, 2013

Lots of reading material.

You can stuff your sorries in a sack, mister. -George Costanza
There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women. - Madeleine Albright

posts: 9299   ·   registered: Feb. 15th, 2009   ·   location: Western PA
id 6555701
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tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 2:06 PM on Saturday, November 9th, 2013

Ask for your Rx for pian pills ahead of time so you don't have to stop on your way home.

Easy meals for you. Just warm up in microwave.

If your dog is big and requires being walked or exercised try to hire someone to do that for you.

You will be sore fOr a few days but not totally laid up like you would be if you had a knee replacement or something major.

Good luck and MoJo to you !!!

Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.

posts: 20381   ·   registered: Oct. 1st, 2008   ·   location: St. Louis
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fireproof ( member #36126) posted at 2:41 PM on Saturday, November 9th, 2013

I would look into a pet sitter as backup.

Here is a list:

Clean clothes put out for the week

Extra cash on hand to pay for pizza or the pet sitter

Pay your bills ahead of time for that period

Personally depending on where you live and ease hold your mail for the week

Buy Movies you always wanted to see or books you wanted to read

Grocery shop for the week include all medication (prescribed and extra Tylenol)

Depending on where you spend the bulk of your time move things to a convenient place

Good luck!

[This message edited by fireproof at 8:42 AM, November 9th (Saturday)]

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Dreamboat ( member #10506) posted at 2:50 PM on Saturday, November 9th, 2013

Extra clean sheets next to your bed in case your wound leaks the first couple of days. It probably will not, but if it does you will want to change the sheets.

Extra clean towels in the bathroom and by the kitchen sink.

Extra gauze and bandages.

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off
-- Shake It Out, Florence And The Machine

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 Eranda (original poster member #6010) posted at 5:19 PM on Saturday, November 9th, 2013

tushnurse, I plan to call the doc and ask for that on Monday. I've had to stop on the way home and it sucks LOL. The doc did say that I won't be completely laid up or anything, but that I can expect fatigue and that I shouldn't drive for a week.

I have netflix and Amazon video so I should be good for a while :)

I already have all my bills on auto pay so I'm good there :)

I plan to do all laundry and have extra cozy clothes on hand and lots of comfy socks LOL.

Having some cash is a good idea and something I didn't think of. I never have cash around normally.

Great ideas, thanks :)

[This message edited by Eranda at 11:19 AM, November 9th (Saturday)]

My Blog: http://allofthewaystohell.com/

posts: 4254   ·   registered: Dec. 11th, 2004   ·   location: eastern PA
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Gottagetthrough ( member #27325) posted at 12:18 AM on Sunday, November 10th, 2013

I might put some snacks near the couch so you don't have to get up that much that first day or two.

positive thoughts coming your way for a speedy recovery!

and please, if you feel you need your sister, ask for help =)

posts: 3843   ·   registered: Jan. 22nd, 2010
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risingfromashes ( member #3903) posted at 12:29 AM on Sunday, November 10th, 2013

A few extra pillows on the bed. If you have to sneeze you want a pillow ready to hold over your belly! Lots of bottled water within reach. I always feel dehydrated after surgery. You do not want to have to get up for basic needs. Think about what you use on a daily basis and put it within reach.

It will be okay!

posts: 2148   ·   registered: Mar. 29th, 2004
id 6556241
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Must Survive ( member #34533) posted at 3:22 AM on Sunday, November 10th, 2013

I just had surgery 3.5 weeks ago. I bought a plastic/felt sheet cover for wound issues. But the hospital had little half sheets that my daughter asked for some and they gave us several. Easier to change the sheet pad than the whole sheet.

I had to have pen/paper next to me to write down when I took my meds. Otherwise I couldn't remember and you do want to stay on top of that.

Also check out the local grocery stores. Some offer delivery and mine near me offered first time free. That helped (I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks) when the food was getting boring.

Good luck!

Me BS
WS: Just a squished bug on the window of my life!
Divorced-Let my new beginning start

They have a choice: they can live in my new world, or they can die in their old one." — Daenerys Targaryen

posts: 1066   ·   registered: Jan. 13th, 2012   ·   location: Must Survive
id 6556376
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Peaches2013 ( member #40852) posted at 2:20 PM on Sunday, November 10th, 2013

Definitely ask the hospital for the disposable pads they put under you so you can put them under you when you sleep. I carried one with me when I had my second C-section.

My other piece of advice would be to put the key things you'll need in arms reach all around your house - medications, food, drinks - nothing that will be high enough to reach or low enough to bend over. While my incision was different from yours, it was the small things that would remind me I'd had surgery. That, and my medication made me loopier than I liked, so not having to reach up or bend down, even small distances, was helpful.

Me: BS
Him: WH ONS/short EA
Married 11 years
Together 15 years
2 children

posts: 64   ·   registered: Oct. 1st, 2013
id 6556602
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somanyyears ( member #26970) posted at 4:04 PM on Sunday, November 10th, 2013

..ah, don't forget a wine glass, corkscrew and a couple bottles of your favorite vino!!

..and yes, snacks.... plenty of sn acks!!

smy ( those damn emoticons seem to have a mind of their own lately!!

smy

trust no other human- love only your pets. Reconciled I think! Me 77 Her 74 Married 52 yrs. 18 yr LTA with bff/lawyer. Little fucker died at 57.Brain tumour!

posts: 6080   ·   registered: Dec. 29th, 2009   ·   location: Ontario Canada
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