Home Alone

Hi Ladies,

I have a quandry which I'm trying to find a solution for.

When I'm home recupperating, I will probably be on my own for most of the time. My bedroom, where I'm planning to vegitate, is quite a ways from my front door. If visitors come and knock on my door or ring the bell, how on earth am I going to get to the door each time to let them in? I don't think it's safe to leave the door open, but I know my Mom, my daughter, and various friends will be stopping by. What should I do? How did other "Home Alone" ladies handle this?

Thanks,

Lisa

i think it will depend mostly on what type of procedure you are having done. with my lavh i was able to walk quite well after i got home (2nd day). the main thing is going to be getting up to walk. will you be laying flat or propped up? i found the easiest way to get up was to roll over onto my side and then push myself up with my arms. the object being not to use the abdominal muscles. they actually encourage walking immediatly after surgery, so this may be a good chance for you to get that done. i got tired of pacing around my house after about the fourth day. the only other thing i can think of to do, would be to hand out keys to people you trusted. my mother and my sisters have keys to my house and i have keys to their's. it sometimes comes in handy if you ever lock yourself out. best of luck

I spent most of my time in the living room on the sofa for the first few days. Unfortunately, I don't have a TV in my bedroom so the couch became my friend. This allowed me to fall asleep while watching my favorite daytime tv. It also made it easier for when guests arrived.

My suggestion would be to remind guests that it will take longer for you to get to the door. Also, suggest they make an appt so to speak before they visit. Ask them to call so that you'll know when they are coming. That way they won't be visiting when you are napping.

Hope this helps!

I was also going to suggest telling them to either call first or set a specific time each day when they will stop by. Handing out house keys to trusted friends and family members is a good idea, if you don't mind someone walking in while you're sleeping or (even worse) in the bathroom!

One other thing: when you're alone make sure the phone is ALWAYS within reach. When you get up to walk around carry a cordless phone with you.

You could hang a note on the door (implying a mechanical problem if you don't want to reveal you are recuperating). Something like "Press bell firmly and wait a couple of minutes for response."

Pellice

I had a TAH done on a Wednesday and walking around the castle the next day. I recooperated on the couch for the first 2 weeks, only going upstairs at night. I didn't always have the phone right next to me and I had many calls go to the voice mail! It's hard to get up off that couch and motivate to walk around the house, much less seeing visitors!

I would like to think that people would call you first, but you will have some just stop over to see how you are doing.

Maybe start telling them now, to give you a few minutes to get to the door? You do need to worry about them just dropping over, why not suggest that there be a window of time each day for visitors?

That's wonderful that you have to worry about this!

Sara