Had my phone consultation with Dr. Gross tonight.

[Jbennett]

Was surprised to get that call at 7 on a Sunday night. He said I'm an ideal candidate. Staff is supposed to call and schedule it next week. Looks like this is going to happen. I wonder if I can do it alone and leave my wife here with the kids? Sure would be easier if she could hold down the fort here.

[hernanu]

Congrats! Folks that have had him are very happy with the entire experience.

[BrianROC]

Congratulations and good luck.  I had my surgery with Dr. Gross and know you will be in good hands.  There is no way I could have done the trip alone, but I had both hips operated on in the same week. 

[obxpelican]

Make sure someone is with you, doing it alone might be a little hard to do.  It has been done alone but I would not attempt it if at all possible.

Your family could stay across the parking lot and there is plenty to do around in that area.


Chuck

[lori.36]

I had a family to deal with for my surgery.  My surgeon was 3 1/2 hours away from my house, so I opted to have the whole family come and make it a vacation for them.  I also had my inlaws fly in and join us on the "vacation".  My kids are young 4 and 1 at the time, I do not know your ages.  If they are able to be without you, I would ask a sibling? other family member? or friend?  Traveling with Kids can be stressful so I would look at all options.
You will definately need someone to help you when you leave the hospital.  I was happy to have the help of so many loved ones.  The trip back to the house was exhausting, going to the bathroom was such a challenge.

[Jbennett]

My kids are 9 and 12 and will be in school. I guess my in laws could keep them but I know my wife hates to leave our work as do I. Maybe I could hire a nurse in S.C.

[lori.36]

This is a hard one.  Anytime I go in for surgery, I want my husband there to make any decisions that need to be made.  It just gives me a peace of mind to know that he is there.  Everyone is different and has different needs, so think about it, because only you can answer the question.
For me, my Husband brought me to the hospital then waited with me during the pre-op stuff.  When I got wheeled away he went to the Starbucks in the hospital, then waited for two hours.  The doc told him I was in recovery and he left until I called him that I was ready to see the kids.  I think he went for a hike.  He then came around 6pm with my 1 year old and stayed for 20 minutes and then left.  At the hospital, I let the nurses care for me.  On my day to check out, my husband had to pack my room up, and drive me to the hotel.  He also had to keep me on schedule with my meds and my ice machine needed constant ice.  He also had to set up the hotel with the special toilet seat.  The 1st week is hard because of using crutched, not being able to do anything for yourself.  Again this was what I needed help with. 
One ? to the traveling group. how did you go to the bathroom on the airplane after surgery?

[obxpelican]

We're not saying that it cannot be done, but you would have to make plans, if you are flying it might be easier since you could get a cab to the airport and get wheel chair service at both airports. 

Personaly I would not do it, although, Pat did it, but she's tougher than I am.   ;D



Chuck

[Anniee]

I think it can definitely be done, unless you are driving from somewhere far away.  As Chuck said, if you're flying, you can just get a cab to the airport and a wheelchair once you get there. The Providence hospital staff is really good and will take excellent care of you, whether you have someone there with you or not.  However, I think they may be a little reluctant to discharge you if nobody is there with you.  At least with me, they asked who was taking me home - I'm not sure if that was because they wanted to make sure I had someone to take me home, or just that someone would be there with me once I got home (I live alone). 

If you do decide you need to leave your family at home, I would call Nancy or Lee and let them know, and see what advice they have to give you.

Good luck!

[Tin Soldier]

I really wanted to have my wife with me for pre and post op.  Mentally and also for any issues that might come up.  I thought about doing no. 2 on my own, but looking back, I think I was more nervous on that one, not sure why.  I really approciated having her there with me.   

[ctb]

Can you see if you can get it scheduled for spring break?  They are scheduling (or were a week ago when I got on the calendar) end of March, and April now, so if you schedule for spring break you could take the whole family.  I was thinking about doing that, but in the end I opted for 3 weeks earlier.  Good luck!

Catherine