Being Alone After Coming Home From The Hospital

Hi, my date is 3/25, robotic surgery. My sister, who lives an hour away is taking me to the hospital and picking me up the next day to take me home. She has a family to take care of so I will be alone during my recovery period. Should I be concerned? Does anyone have any tips to help me take care of myself?

Its hard to say how you will feel afterwards, I felt great and could of easily been alone, however I know several others who could not of. Try to have meals already prepared and frozen for convenience, also snack foods. Make sure to have a small table set up next to where you wil be spending your time. Have remotes, meds, extension cords for chargers...etc... Have everything out of cabinets you may need, so you wont have t stretch or bend. Also get paper plates and cups so you wont have to worry about dirty dishes. I got a mini fridge and microwave for my bedroom, because my room is on the 2nd floor and I didnt want to have to be going up and down stairs . My hubby also got me a recliner and put it by our bed, I was much more comfy sleeping there. Good luck to you

I did totally fine alone from day one. I'd suggest pre planning. Get groceries, and look into options for groc delivery. Buy things easy to fix. Clean ahead and ignore the floors later. Do all the laundry ahead. Consider getting a reacher. Get all your meds filled ahead. I needed grocery help and someone to take the trash to the curb. I was fully able to do stairs, shower, and prepare meals. Somewhere on the site is also tips on recovering alone. I'm used to being independent and I felt fine. Best wishes for an easy recovery.

I think you can do it if you have everything well prepared in advance and don't have to lift anything. I would also want to know I had someone I could call if I had an emergency.

I agree with planning ahead. I would do my grocery shopping and have some easy meals planned. I found I wasn't very hungry the first couple of weeks. A bedside table as suggested is great. I had my Meds and a paper and pen to track when I took them as time can get away from you. Books, remote, phone, Bottled water etc. I limited the stairs as my Dr requested that I use them no more than twice a day the first two weeks. Try to have things you'll need at waist high level or above. You will need help with things like vacuuming and lifting laundry baskets. I found a heating pad came in handy, but everyone is different. Comfy loose clothing. Hopefully some of these suggestions will help. Hope everything goes well for you.

I managed ok by preparing ahead of time. Stocking up on groceries and cooking ahead of time some meals I could easily microwave. Gave my place a thorough cleaning, stocked up on things for my cat that I would not be able to carry after. It was actually better than I expected and I found I really didn't need help since I'd prepared so well ahead of time. Keep things like Chapstick, books remotes water bottle on your nightstand or even on the bed for easy reaching.
It requires planning but you have a few weeks to do it.
Line up a few friends to take you to the store when you need it. By week two I was ok to go grocery shopping to buy a few small things on my own.
You'll do fine but if you have friends who can be available to help if needed it will be better.
Good luck

By the time I was well enough to go home (1 night) I could take care of my basic needs. The hardest part is being stuck in the house and needing food. So if you can solve thwt problem you should be ok. Than again some people have a hard time.

I was basically alone right after coming home from Tah and was ok. Needed help shopping and some one to walk my 3 dogs but did ok. Pre cooking meals is a big help and having a comfy area with everything you need is vital. Good luck!

I was totally fine also only had rides to and from the hospital. If you look for my post/thread "check check check" there were a lot of helpful suggestions. I really I'd not have anyone to ask for help but if you do, accept any and all offers. Let your neighbors know in case of emergency or some errand you may need. Do only what you HAVE to (for example, i did not shower for 3 days .. No one was sniffing me, my poodles didn't care, i cleaned with a wash cloth and baby wipes as needed and didn't want to risk slipping. Who cares if you don't change your sheets for 2 weeks, you're the only one on them! And when you do, have someone change them for you.. Lifting that mattress is a no no.

I understand your concern! I will be alone after my surgery as well. I almost feel like Im "nesting" because Im preparing everything for myself when I come home. Laundry, cleaning, groceries, dog food, ect. Im more concerned I will become emotional about being alone....My family ....no support.