A Couple Things That Worked Well

I'm 2 weeks post-op and looking back at some things that worked really well. I followed suggestions to rent a bedside table which I still have and have used a lot ($25 for a month). I loved my tummy pillow in the hospital and have used it regularly since. (I bought my tummy pillow at the Hyster Sister Store, along with my Crown Jewel. It was just the right size and soft plumpness!).

Thanks for those suggestions, HysterSisters!

I was so glad that I took some time off before the surgery to get things ready. One especially helpful thing was making homemade soups and freezing them in ziplock bags. They ranged from broth (which my husband could add miso to for flavor & protein), to mild fresh vegetable soups, to hearty chicken stews. These came in so handy for us!

We even were able to serve a chicken stew dinner to my parents (aged 81) when they came last week from Minnesota for a few days during my second post-op week. It was helpful, by the way, that my parents stayed in a motel nearby. They could come for short periods to help & visit, going back to their motel in between, so everyone could rest.

Another thing that helped was taking time before surgery to get the recovery bed set up just right. My husband ended up getting plywood to put on top of the futon mattress (in our first floor guest room), and we added a thick foam pad, then an eggcrate foam pad, and finally tucked underneath the foam our camping inflatable pads. The bed gives good support, but is luxuriously cozy.

My husband stayed on the couch nearby the first 2 nights, then resumed sleeping upstairs in our regular bed (I can't maneuver the stairladder to that loft yet, and am appreciating the privacy at night to follow my own schedule and to get up to the bathroom without disturbing him).

Thank you for sharing. These are great ideas.

Hi, it sounds like you have everything under control.
Your dr sounds like a keeper to me
s