1. Rent a car you’ll be comfortable driving in.
We flew into Charlotte, SC, and Columbia is
about 90 minutes away. I had a hard time
getting up into the seats of SUVs. All that was
left was a Mercury Marquis – which looked like a
throwback to the 70’s – but wow, was it
comfortable!
2. Stay at a Residence Inn if you can. They’re
reasonably priced, and have full kitchens. It
is very nice to have everything you need at your
fingertips. You’re not going to feel like a
night on the town after your surgery. Having
access to food you like to eat is very important
(especially if you’ve traveled to a region with
food quite different from what you’re used to).
Some say to request a handicap room. I found
that to be difficult, because everything was
lowered, which is exactly what I DIDN’T need.
3. You’re going to be in no shape to deal with
difficult situations, including the possibility
of a minimally competent nursing staff, for the
first 2 days after your surgery. You will need
an advocate for you at the hospital, who will
either stay with you, or will be very close by
and be available 24/7.
4. FYI, if in the hospital you are receiving
substandard nursing care, call “0” and ask for
the nursing supervisor. I didn’t even know for
2 days that I had a telephone in the room,
because of the layout, let alone that there’s
someone whose job it is to listen to patients
and meet our needs.
5. Some people have found it easier to sleep in
the recliner in the room because you can get up
and down on your own – you don’t have to ring
for the nurse every time you have to go to the
bathroom.
6. Keep a running list of the questions you want
to ask the doctor when he comes to see you next. |
