Total hyster scheduled for 5/4/04, yikes!

Hi Ladies,

I just joined & what a relief to find you all! I have already learned so much with your help. Thank you. I am 54 with 2 solid "cysts" on an ovary. I am OK with aggressive treatment and my gyno, internist & the surgeon have all agreed its best to take it all out and run pathology to see whats up or down. My concern is that I live alone (can't count on the cat for too much help) I don't have any family in the area and being a real loner I don't have that many close friends. The few friends that are there for me are also having their share of problems. So, what should I do about being home alone? I can't get my insurance to commit to what kind of home care I can get. They say that will get determined when I am discharged. Does anyone have any experience with going it alone after the surgery? Or should I spend some of my meager hard earned savings and hire someone to help me out? Any advice is very welcome. I don't want to wind up on the floor screaming "help, I've fallen down and I can't get up"! Thanks.

Will you be vag or abdominal?

I will be home alone from 7am to 6pm. I rent from my best friend and those are her work hours.
I am somewhat of a loner too. I am independant.
I plan to fix food ahead of time, have things I will need or want right next to my bed, etc.
A good suggestion I read is to buy one of those stick things that has pinchers on it so you can pick up things you drop.

I have an aunt and uncle two blocks away that I can call if needed.
Perhaps you could ask a few friends if you could call them if something comes up. Sometimes you might need just a little help.
I would ask someone or schedule someone to do things like laundry and vacuming.
Don't worry too much about the house. The work will wait for you

You may want to see if somene can come in for things like bathing. I think that would be very important.

I would suggest setting up a little back up, seeing if there are options as far as a nurse who could come check up on you or friends who will help a bit. Have these things in place just in case you need them. If you don't, then you can cancel.

Whatever you do.............don't overdo things just because someone is not there to help. You do not want to cause yourself a set back over something that is not that important.
Take care and good luck
Sharon

Hi! I'm new here too. I was thinking maybe you could use the lifeline or response link or some other kind of service. I got it for my dad after he came home from the hospital.Works great and gives you peace of mind,for ''just in case''. It works just like the help I've fallen and can't get up ad. Good Luck to you!! Babbs

Hi, I don't know where you are located so I don't know what kind of insurance you have. Your insurance should cover some sort of post-op help if your doctor determines that is nessasary. Usually having a doctor to back you up helps alot. Some doctor's offices will even call your insurance for you. I would talk to your doctor and see if he/she can help.

Also, depending on how much income you are getting and how long you will be recovering, there are alot of things that you state can do to help (if you live in US). You can call social services and ask them about it, they should be able to help you out.

Hope this helps a little,
Hugs,
Michelle