Companion when having surgery?
I'm not sure where to ask this but here goes.
I'm due to have gallbladder surgery in a couple of weeks and I don't think I'm going to have anybody to accompany me to and from hospital. I have M.E. among other issues but even if I didn't, everyone needs somebody to accompany.
Is there any way I can get somebody to help me? Is there a service for people in my situation at all? I did have a family member arranged but that has fallen through so now I'm struggling to know what to do.
Comments
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Hi,
Your hospital should have a chaperone service that can assist you while you're at the hospital.
The journey there & back is a separate thing though. How far have you got to travel? You can ask for hospital transport (ambulance or minibus) though they may not always have the resources available.
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You could speak to a care agency about hiring carers on a private basis to accompany you to the Hospital and upon discharge.
Once there Hospital porters can transport you to the ward, and from the ward to hospital transport (if available) or to a taxi.
I'd also suggest contacting the PALS department as they might know of any voluntary services.
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Thank you both, these are good ideas. I had tried to look up care sites to see but was getting a bit confused, so might be a good idea to speak to PALS first.
I don't have too far too go, maybe a 20-25 minute journey each way, so around an hour total possibly. Not included time coming up to the ward to get me if that is needed, unless the porters would take me to the doors.
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Porters would definitely take you to the doors.
Maybe have a look around for local private care agencies and phone them with your requirements?
That's basically what I did a couple of months ago to get a weekly care visit at home arranged.
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Thank you. I've just emailed one place I've seen in the area, so hopefully they can help me. I'm half wondering if I should get somebody for the next couple of days to visit too.
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Hi @geckobat good luck with your surgery. Are you having key hole surgery for your gall bladder removal?
I had my gall bladder out nearly three years ago. As you are having a General Anaesthetic the hospital do like you to have someone with you at home for 24 hours after, so if this is not possible I think it would be a good idea to have somebody visit you for the following two days. This is in case you need anything.
Take care.
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Hi, thank you! Yes I'm having keyhole surgery so hopefully out the same day, although would they keep me in overnight if there's nobody to be around for me for those 24 hours?
I hope yours went smoothly and you recovered well! That's what I'm hoping for too.
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You could perhaps check with your hospital about whether they would keep you in overnight for 24 hours if you have no one at home.
It is a fairly straight forward operation, you still need to be careful what you eat for a while after or I did.
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on.
Take care.
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@Bluebell21 Thank you for the advice, I'll try that. And yes I will do, thanks again!
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Thank you very much for the information. I really hope it doesn't end up cancelled as it was already postponed once and I've been waiting a number of years for it 😣
Hopefully I can arrange something, and I really appreciate the advice and insight from a nurse's perspective too.
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Hi @geckobat the following link might be of interest to you.
Mine was cancelled twice due to doctors strikes. Years seems a long time to wait mine was months and still seemed forever.
Two weeks would be a good time to have your surgery while this strike finishes and before the next one starts. (If no agreement is made).
Take care.
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@Bluebell21 It is way too long, they messed up the referral initially but then I was on another for over two years. Then, they promised me it would be about two months for surgery from the consultant appointment and that was end of Aug last year. It's approaching three years since I was first referred now.
So I really hope they won't postpone again either.
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@Santosha12 No it's okay, it's good to understand the possibilities and concerns, I appreciate your input!
They haven't told me what time, they put on the letter 7:30am but in reality they said they will call the day before to tell me what time to go to the hospital. There's no knowledge of what time the surgery is. For a previous unrelated surgery, I was there very early and didn't go down until the afternoon.
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Fingers crossed @geckobat I do not think they realise how devasting it is to have your surgery cancelled.
Good luck .
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@OverlyAnxious @Kimi87 @Bluebell21 @Santosha12 @SwiftFox
I just wanted to thank you all for your help and support a few weeks ago with this.
In the end, a family member travelled to come and help me through it, which was a blessing. But you all helped to ease some of my stress while I was struggling to figure out what to do when my original plans fell through, so thank you!
Focusing on recovering as best I can now <3
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Hi @geckobat I am glad you had a family member to help you through your Gall Bladder removal surgery.
I hope everything went well for you and you have a smooth recovery.
Please take care of yourself.
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Wishing you all the best with recovery @geckobat 💛
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