How long do you honestly need someone with you at home?

Hello Sisters,

Question, I live alone.....honestly, how long do you really need someone with you at home after you leave the hospital.

Family and friends are so wonderful, but like alot of you, I rest alot better when there are not people around me all the time and know I will not truly relax until everyone has gone.

Any good advice?

Thanks !!!!

Sweet Pea in SC

My Mom was here for the first week.My DH took off the first 2 weeks after my TVH.I THINK that is plenty enough for most of us.What ever you do, remember to take it slow and rest when your body tells you to.
Everyone is different and may not need help that long or may need it longer.I am glad to be able to cook,clean somethings on my own.
Good luck and take it easy after your surgury.
You didn't mention if you have any kids.If you do, I would ask for ALL the help you can get to care for them.

I'd say at LEAST one week, and preferably two.

I went home from the hospital the morning after surgery; DH stayed with me that day and went back to work the next day. Truthfully, I was glad to be alone. I showered when he was gone, I climbed stairs, but I also sat in the chair and watched tv, too.

I understand your need to be alone because that's how I am, but if you're uncomfortable having someone around constantly, it would be nice if your family and/or friends could drop by around mealtime with something prepared for you so you don't have to worry about food.

My mom was here for 2 weeks, boy did I notice when she left. Things got done but very slowly!

Everybody's different. I had TAH/BSO on Wednesday, was home alone on Monday - DH home from work at nights. That was good - when I'm feeling wounded I just want to be left alone and home alone was Heaven.
Make your own call, DON'T OVERDO IT! Seriously, I put myself back at least a week by thinking that I'm Superwoman. I'm also not very good at asking for help, LOL!

I was concerned because my husband was out of the country when I schedule my TAH/BSO, I insisted he come home for 2 weeks. Hindsight, I probably could have been okay alone if I had someone to help prepare my meals and be there when I first showered, etc. I was in the hospital 48 hours, and slept a lot the first 2-3 days at home. I have pets, so I would have needed someone to feed them, scoop the litter, etc. By the time he returned to his job in Germany on day 23, I was able to that myself.

So, I say you probably only need someone with you that 1st day out of the hospital, just to make sure you can do enough things on your own. Then just line up someone to bring you some meals and visit with you a little bit. It does get a bit lonely lying there in bed!

I also live alone and I'm very independent.

I had surgery Monday morning and was released from hospital Thursday morning. I managed with drop-in help the first three days out of hospital. (That wasn't the original plan but that is what actually happened.)

My sister took time off work and stayed with me from day 6 to day 11 post-op. From that point on I had occassional drop-in help and I managed just fine.

(Of course, your mileage may vary.)

Keep well,
IslandScribe

Hi,
My DH took 2 weeks off work, and I really only needed him for the first week. By the end of the second week I was ready for him to be back at work! I had an SAH and kept ovaries and cervix, so I also think it depends on how much you have done. I healed very well and was driving at 2 weeks and felt pretty good. Everyone heals differently. I know what you mean about resting better when people aren't there, I was that way too. I didn't let friends come visit until week 2.
Hope this helps, take care,
Krisples

I live alone too. I was in the hospital for five days due to minor complications.

I had someone stay with me the first night home from the hospital, just until I knew I could get in and out of bed ok on my own. They were gone by sunrise the next day (they kind of bailed on me sooner than expected, actually!)

Meals:

Before surgery I made and froze a bunch of individual servings of my favorite foods (lasagna, etc.) so I could heat them up easily once I got home from the hospital. To be honest for the first few days I lived on soup and oatmeal and juice until my appetite returned.

Pets:

I have cats, like bjklassy, and hired a petsitter to feed them while I was in the hospital. I had her continue her visits for several days after I got home, because I couldn't scoop the boxes at first either - and if the boxes aren't clean, the cats will find other alternatives!

Meds:

If you are on your own when you come home, and you are still taking pain meds at that time, it's a good idea to keep a chart of what you took and when (I did this). Otherwise you can get into trouble, because they can make you foggy and you might end up looking like this:

Friends:

My friends understood that I needed time alone at first, but I will tell you it was also very comforting when they checked in by phone with me frequently to make sure I didn't need anything. It was the best of both worlds.

Good luck; I hope you work it out so you get the peace and quiet you need but also get the help you need!

Barbara