Post-op Care Pkg

I'm thinking of starting a post-op support group in my area. It seems like a lot of us have great friends and family, but some of us are expected to be back to normal 1-2wks post-op. I love the support that we give one another on this website. I would also love to sit face to face with someone who is going through the same thing that I am experiencing when I feel stir crazy.

What would have helped you if you had been given a small care pkg when you were released from the hospital? :

That sounds great I would love serging like that too. It's great to give back and something I have found great is my Hot/Cold clay pack and it was only $4 at the dollar store.

Great idea about the care package, maybe a puzzle book or even a pack of playing cards. I know lots of us have games etc on laptops/tablets but sometimes the hands-on physical interaction can provide a welcome distraction.

Maybe a little pill holder that has seperate spots for doses of medicines? I don't take meds on a regular basis, so keeping on a 6 hr. schedule has been a challenge for me, but necessary for pain control. I also love coupons, maybe some for take out/delivery. A 1/2 hr. chair massage, manicure/pedicure would be a wonderful way to get a trip out of the house once recovered enough for it. Or a little nail manicure kit, now we've got some time we could actually keep our nails nice (me anyway).
I love your idea so much. Once recovered myself, I would be willing to visit others in the hospital, or even their homes, do some chores for them, or just distract their children for awhile. This idea has the potential to do some real good! I would have been happy to know about hystersisters a lot sooner pre-op so I could've been a little better prepared for all this. This site has been a great comfort to me, especially post op. I hope to see some more brainstorming here, maybe I can put together a support group in my area too!

I would only add maybe a fun pillow for post op tummies, with maybe a blanket that matched. Maybe a simple hand craft like a little cross stitch pattern & a pretty hand fan for those sudden "Power Surges" we all seem to get. And if you give the support group a name, maybe some water bottled with the name printed on it.

If you need a location to meet that's free, check with your church or other local churches. I founded a breast cancer support group that has been going strong for 6 years. I suggest creating a mailing/email list for contacting members in mass, so a very general contact sheet for members to fill out is important but make sure they know it only stays with you and you won't share their info with anyone else.

I'm available if you want to pick my brain for support group questions. You'd be surprised how simple support can be. Sometimes just giving a place to talk is all people need. And a phone tree- a group of people who will commit to calling new members once a week to check on their progress is great too. Blessings to you!!

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Originally Posted by Carylou I'm thinking of starting a post-op support group in my area. It seems like a lot of us have great friends and family, but some of us are expected to be back to normal 1-2wks post-op. I love the support that we give one another on this website. I would also love to sit face to face with someone who is going through the same thing that I am experiencing when I feel stir crazy. What would have helped you if you had been given a small care pkg when you were released from the hospital? :

Two of the items that I received from friends would work. A card wishing a person well, and an inspirational magnet ( mine said, may God watch over you). Also, a small tablet and pen ( for keeping track of med times), small pack of tissues, lip balm, peppermints. Lotion, great smelling body wash for that first shower, bandaids (funny ones to put over incisions so panties don't rub). I had Angry Bird ones...LOL This is a GREAT idea!

One of my friends who had a hyst several years ago gave me a post-op kit with a magazine, mints, notepad/pen, chocolates, lotion, and a tiara. She said since I was now a princess I needed my own tiara. It was very sweet.
This is a great thread...very thoughtful!

Thanks for all of the suggestions and positive feedback! Pinkribbonwendi, I may be contacting you about what you did for your support group. Unfortunately, today I'm having a "slow" day, but keep the ideas coming! I'll have energy again soon!

It's great that you want to help others offline. I would like to remind you that Hystersisters name and logo is trademarked and can't be used. Also, be very careful about going into the homes of people you don't know. Many hystersisters have met over coffee or lunch, but usually those meetings take place in a public place.

We have had a few members over the years who weren't who we thought they were. One was actually a man, who we found out later had a diaper fetish. He would post messages under his username and would also send private messages to women, giving his phone number and asking them to call. Some did call, and that's how we found out about him.

Thanks for the reminder, Catherine. It's unfortunate that the world is that kind of place! Geez. Crazy people out there! I was thinking of starting small...just talking to my Dr. about giving the care packages to women in my local hospital. I wanted to include a the Hystersisters website as a reference ~ I wouldn't be using it as a name for the support group ~ that would be ok, right?

I also went to "meetup.com" to see if there was already a hystercetomy support group just in my immediate area and there isn't. That would be an ideal way to plan a time and place to have coffee or lunch and also be in a public place to chat about our progress and offer support.

Definitely have ideas going through my head....keep the suggestions coming!