dVH/RALH: Feeling alone...

I'm scheduled for dVH on 11/3. My oldest daughter will be with me for the day of the surgery and the day after. Hopefully, everything will be ok and I will be able to go home the next day but after that she will have to go home and I will be left on my own. My mom is longer with us and I have no sisters to help me and I live quite a ways from the rest of my family so I'm feeling a little anxious. I work with some really lovely people but I don't like to impose on people so I'm wondering has anyone else gone through this alone and if so how did you manage?

I wish you the best on your surgery!

I'm sorry you are going to be alone. I know many women have done this alone and made it just fine. But, if you can ask a neighbor or a co-worker to come by and visit with you every now and then, I think you would enjoy that. If no one can, then be sure to have someone call and check on you daily just to see how you are and if you need anything.

Hey Ewe-
Even though I wasn't alone for my dvh, I was fine to putter around the house on my own after a couple of days. I told my hubby he could go on back to work and that I didn't need any more "babysitting." We bad plenty of "easy" things for me to fix for meals while he was at work. So if you have a recovery that is as easy and uneventful as mine was, along w doing some meal planning before surgery, you just might be okay...
HOWEVER...
I think you might want to play it safe and ask some friends, coworkers, neighbors, and/or church friends if you could put them on a "call list" in case you find yourself needing some help. I think you'll be happily surprised at how people will be more than willing to help you! Even though I didn't need help, I had folks doing such nice things for me. For instance, some of the women I work with INSISTED on coming over one night to make dinner for me and my hubby - they wouldn't take no for an answer! I think you might feel a bit more secure knowing you'll have someone to come help you if you need them!
Good luck to you!! I hope you have a swift & easy recovery!
Di

I think you should ask one or two of those lovely people at work if they can at least call you once or twice a day, or even email/text you to see how you are doing. I bet you'll find at least one who would be more than happy to help you out. And who knows, you may be able to return the favor someday.

Also, since your surgery is not until Nov. check now to see if you have local resources like a community center or women's center that would send someone to help you out for an hour or two each day. Your house won't fall apart from dust or an unmade bed for a week or two but you'll feel better knowing someone is there to do those little things.

My best to you!
Autumn

Hi, ewewant2: I've lived all over the world (DH and I are both retired military), and Texas had some of the nicest people in the world! We still regularly consider moving back there; we lived on a small lake not far from Tyler. I'd bet my right arm that some of your friends and co-workers would gladly check up on you and help you through the recovery from your upcoming surgery, if only they were asked. People are fairly amazing in their desire to help others if they just know they're needed.

My sister had a TAH with a vertical incision several years ago. She was also a brittle diabetic, so had a lot of other health problems. I was able to travel and stay the first two weeks with her (her hubby worked out of town), and she did okay the rest of the recovery period. But I think it was good for her to have a few friends stop by and check up on her regularly, and e-mail and phone. I called her daily to make sure she was doing okay.

The other ladies had some excellent suggestions, too, so I'll just add my best wishes for your surgery and recovery. Keep reading and posting on here. There's a lot of inspiration from women who've already been to the castle as far as what is helpful in preparing for the trip and recovery.

I live alone but weekly someone bought groceries for me and took out the trash. I could have had the store deliver groceries otherwise. I didn't clean, really but did laundry without carrying a basket. I didn't need help but I did talk on the phone. I could have asked for more help but I hated to. Do accept help, although I think you'll do fine alone. No one stayed with me at all. I hope your recovery goes well.

I am single and I was sent home the day after surgery to my home and dog. I had prepared some food and had friends that stopped by or called regularly and for me that was enough. My recovery was uneventful and I walked around the common areas with my dog. Good luck and I will pray you have an uneventful recovery also.