Should we give away these concert tickets?

[d and d]

We have concert tickets for 3 1/2 weeks after hubby's surgery (got em before we knew he needed this). Surgeon suggests parking in handicapped parking and making sure we arrive and leave outside of the crowded times so he doesn't get accidentally hurt by someone. Of course, the surgeon has never tried this after OHS. Has anyone here tried to do something like this so soon after surgery and what was your experience? We're trying to decide whether to give these tickets away now or wait to see if he feels up to it that weekend.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

 

[Ross]

I think it would be too soon and I don't think he'd last the whole concert. Crowds can and do hurt normally healthy people, so I don't think I'd want to be around them with a sternum that was sawed in half.

 

[Nancy]

You also have to remember that your immune system after surgery is not up to par because it's busy healing things. So being in a crowd could pose some risk of picking up a bug which is NOT a good thing.

Maybe you could wait until after surgery and see how things go when he gets home. There would still be time to give the tickets away.

 

[tommy]

Ross could very well be right (he usually is). But here are some additional thoughts.

If your hubby is in good fitness condition, his recovery should move along faster than most. But regardless of fitness, the sternum takes a while to heal and needs to be protected.

If the concert is of the classical variety, mostly attended by mature adults, without jumping around and getting excited, you have less risk of getting bumped. If it's a rock concert, I'd wait for another day.

If it is outdoors, I'd avoid it. You don't want to have to move quickly to get out of the weather.

How far away is it? If you have to drive a distance and then sit still for a few hours, it could be uncomfortable for him.

At 4 weeks, I was pretty paranoid of getting bumped. I was still avoiding any situation that required me to do anything. I wanted the right to back out at any time. When my wife and I would go somehere, she knew that if I gave the word, we were going home right away. Overly paranoid? Perhaps, but make it his choice. On the other hand, we have people in here that fly across the country for valve surgery and fly home a week later.

Of course if it is the Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkle, or Paul McCartney, forget about all of the above (just kidding).

Does this help?

 

[Debrinha GT]

Compare this:

Compare this:

Even if your husband feels well enough to go, I don't think he would manage to really enjoy it for he would be constantly worried about getting an infection or being involved in some sort of incident where he could get seriously hurt. To me it's like trying to take a new born child out hoping nobody bumps into it, if you get what I mean.

Débora from Brazil

 

[tobagotwo]

Well, you can't count on his energy level on that day, and that will be the delimiter. Nor can you count on no complications. Probably not a good plan if there are arrhythmias (nerve-shattering bass + arrhythmia = no-no to me).

And I'm not sure how bold your husband will be with himself after surgery (unlike a certain someone [D] who was doing pushups after just a few weeks ).

However, three weeks is plenty of time to lose concert tickets.

If you get your temporary handicapped hanger, park close and early, use the handicapped entrance (if there is one), and do everything you can to preserve his energy...

Well, I think he'd be exhausted by the end. But if it's someone he really likes, well...You'll probably have to treat him like fine china by the time you leave for home.

I'm not so sure that he would be that much at risk for colds/flu, because my feeling is that if you're generally heathly (except for the huge axe-mark in your chest) the immune system is working overtime when you're healing. Jostling in bad footing is not so good, though.

I'd have done it, for CSN.

Best wishes,

 

[Sherry]

Well, it kind of depends on whether you're planning to see Metallica or perhaps something more subdued, like Yanni I'm just kidding...I'm not sure I would try it, but it really would depend on how he's feeling. I wasn't ready at three weeks, but he may very well be. If you go, then definitely make use of handicapped parking as has been suggested. Also, consider leaving early to avoid the large crowds.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The problem with ANY early outing is that when your energy is gone, IT'S GONE. You have NO RESERVE.

What if he simply could not walk back to the car?

A wheelchair would be helpful. Is one available?

If not, then what?

'AL'

 

[d and d]

Thank you all for your advice.

This is an Aretha Franklin concert, so no mosh pit to worry about . The venue is outside, but in LA we probably don?t have weather to worry about . Sherry, thanks for the handicapped parking suggestion and AL, a wheelchair would probably be a good idea, just in case.

It sounds like we should wait until a little closer to the date, see how he is getting along and definitely not get our hearts set on this. I hadn?t though about his energy possibly going so quickly. If we do try this, we need to make sure we can make a speedy exit. The idea that he might have an arrhythmia episode or pick up a bug concerns me. Makes me think we should just not push our luck. An evening at local restaurant with friends is sounding like a safe backup plan to me.

This is such a different world. We are both fit and healthy (40s, good shape, no other health issues) and I just don?t yet have the mindset to consider all the potential problems. I?m sure we?ll both get better at this as we go along. In the mean-time, your advice is indispensable. Thanks.

 

[Abbanabba]

Perhaps it might be an idea to chat to the promotions people or someone from the venue to see what options they can give you. They might be able to arrange something to cater to your husbands needs like providing easy access/exit, etc. I guess it also depends on how badly he wants to see Aretha; I know I wouldn't have missed the Bowie concert for anything - heart surgery or not! - but then, that's me.

Otherwise, you can wait and see how he's feeling closer to the date. I'm sure you'd have no problems selling the tickets on Ebay if he didn't feel up to it.

Cheers
Anna : )

 

[hensylee]

Aretha Franklin would not bring in an exuberant crowd like some of the rock concerts. If you have your hearts set on it, maybe half the concert. Then leave. I don't however, think hubby is going to feel up to it. He will be weak and you certainly don't want to tax what strength he needs for recovery. I wouldn't go. Another thought: why don't you go with someone else, leave hubby home in his bed.

 

[d and d]

It now looks like hubby's sister may come out to see us during that time frame, so maybe she and I will leave him to fend for himself that evening .

We're off to a weekend of R&R, good food, good shopping and good wine in Santa Barbara, CA . The silver lining to the OHS waiting room: you go do all of those fun things you've been putting off. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to this. Thanks again for all your advice.

 

[catwoman]

I'd be more concerned with energy level @ 3.5 weeks. I didn't have a whole lot at that point. My husband and I went to Waco TX 3.5 weeks post-op and I remember the weekend vividly.

Where in S. California do you live? I was in Long Beach last month, going to Ontario 8/20 for the weekend, probably going to Santa Monica 9/17 for the weekend and definitely to Santa Barbara to judge a cat show 12/11.

Would love to live in S. California -- if only the cost of living wasn't sooooo high!

 

[d and d]

Marsha,

Thanks for the reply. We live in Ventura county and hubby and I both work near Santa Monica. Aside from the traffic we really like it there. You're right -- the cost of living is very high. We bought a house in Ventura county 14 years ago because LA was just too expensive. Now everything here seems pretty inflated as well. I hope you enjoy your upcoming So. Cal. weekends.

You say you remember your post-op Waco trip vividly. Was it problematic or did you have enough opportunities to rest?

D