If you have a surgery coming up, or are at home recovering from one, this journey can be a little daunting. I am 16 surgeries into my own journey, and have learned a few things about hospitals and coming home that have made my life a lot easier. On this site you will find hospital, pre-operative and recuperation tools and information to prepare people for surgery, dealing with doctors, hospital stays and recuperation.
Attitude and outlook can be a big part of your recuperation and there are a lot of ways to get discouraged. Learning to take it all in stride is a big part of coping. Learning resilience is a key skill to coming back from an illness or injury. I’d like to share the stories that inspire me on my bad days, as well as some hints and tips to help you keep moving forward.
Surgeries and a Voice of Experience
During my last 3 surgeries, I finally recorded the knowledge I’d acquired in a surgery post series on preparing for and coping with surgeries, doctors and hospital stays. The articles focus on what you can do and what you should know leading up to, during and coming home from hospital stays. We focus on practical knowledge based on practical experience, no scare tactics.
Talking to doctors and surgeons can be difficult. Just because they are good at what they do does not bless them with a great bedside manner and vice-versa. But good communication is essential to your care.
Some of my hospital stays have been up to two months long. I can tell you, it doesn’t have to be as depressing as it sounds. Our guides and checklists focus on trying to help you get from that first consultation to your “new normal” as pleasantly as possible.
Hospitals and Caring for Another
I spent a lot of time growing up in hospitals and I am not afraid of them, nor am I a hypochondriac. My mother did well. Now I am passing that on to my daughter, who has more specialists than I do. Parenting and hospitals is a painful mix, but it can be done. It came full circle when my mother needed extended hospital care and I was the support person. Loving someone and helping them is hard, but you are not alone.
Whether it is day surgery, a trip to the emergency room or a week long hospital stay, keep coming back to this page for more. We will continue to add items over time. Fortunately, I have a lot of material built up over the years.
Preparation
