Traveling Alone for Surgery

[2leafer]

I will be traveling alone to the Cleveland Clinic from Bend, Oregon in February for aortic valve replacement. I live alone and don't have anyone to travel with me. I'm asymptomatic with the exception of some mild discomfort and arrythmias, in good condition, and would be skiing if I wasn't aware of the consequences. My valve has finally progressed to the severe/critical range and my docs have restricted all sports and working out except for walking. Although I have read about many different post-surgery recovery rates, I feel pretty uneasy about flying back alone just 3 or 4 days after leaving the hospital. I'll be in a local hotel for 2 or 3 days prior to flying home. I am even concerned about being in my room by myself. Are there hospital volunteers available while I'm in the hotel? Am I being unrealistic about pulling this off by myself? Are there any alternatives or services that I should consider? Flying back by myself is my biggest concern!

 

[njean]

I've been very fortunate that I've always had family members who have accompanied me to all three of my OHS but I know that there are other forum members here, that have had to do this solo. I hope they come along & offer their suggestions to you.

I've always stayed around a day or two after the surgery in a motel, just in case something should start going wrong. Flying to & from, has never been an issue either. You might want to alert the airline you're traveling with, that you may need assistance and/or wheel chair service at the airport due to your recent surgery. Almost all airlines will do their best to accommodate you.

My actual concern would be, how will you manage once you're home. OHS really takes it's toll on you & the smallest of things, can become monumental such as, preparing meals for yourself, getting around the house, running errands, etc. You probably won't be able to drive for at least 4 to 6 weeks, so how will you go to dr appts, etc.?

 

[ponytaila1a]

I also had my husband with me....but I too remember others posting about doing it solo.
Sunday is a bit slow. Perhaps they will be along soon.

 

[Mentu]

Just saw your post and thought I would leave you with a couple of observations. If you have read many accounts of other VR members' experiences, you will already know that just after surgery it is difficult to anticipate how any individual will feel. I would suggest that even if you are one of the very fortunate individuals who experience little discomfort shortly after surgery you still need to anticipate being very weak, easily fatigued and unable to manage any significant weight for at least a couple of weeks. While you have time, I think it would be wise to assemble an informal support group in case you need more help than you anticipate. I would encourage you to consider having someone join you when you leave the hospital and for the trip home when you will find it difficult to manage the weight of luggage and to deal with travel complications.

 

[Bridgette]

Perhaps you should consider going into a rehab facility for the first couple of weeks post op if you have absolutely no-one who can come and stay with you at home after your surgery.
No matter how fit you are before surgery you can't predict for certain how your initial recovery will go, whether you'll have complications etc...I would not have wanted to be at home alone in the early stages - you can't really lift anything, do washing, cook more than a snack, make your bed and so on, anything that puts pressure on your sternum MUST be avoided.
I hope you can work something out. Good luck for your surgery.

Bridgette

 

[kfay]

2leafer, I travelled from NC to the Mayo clinic in MN for my surgery. I was 45 when I had surgery and had my husband with me. I can only share with you my personal experiences and what I think MY limits would have been. I was in the hospital for 8 or 9 days. We then spent the night in a hotel for one night before catching a flight early the next morning. Even having my husband with me, I felt it was pushing it a bit. I have already told him that for my next surgery, I want to hang around in a hotel there for a little longer, perhaps a week or so. The airlines and the airport were VERY accomodating for me ( I think they are very used to dealing with people who have been to these places for medical procedures). Request and use a wheelchair every step of the way.

A lot of people on here felt that their time at home post op was hard and they needed help. I didn't feel that way at all. Once we got home, I was perfectly fine with my husband going back to work. I just kept my cell phone in a pocket in my pants just in case. I didn't have any problems opening anything or reaching for anything. You don't say how old you are, but if you are concerned about being home alone afterwards, I agree with others who have said you should look into a rehab place. It would give you the confidence to do the things you need to do with someone around in case of an emergency.

You aren't the first on here who has gone through this alone (and you won't be the first patient at the CC who has gone through this alone). I think if you spend a fair amount of time preparing beforehand, you will be just fine. I can only imagine how daunting it must feel to face something like this alone. I'm sure if you reached out to your friends or co-workers, you would be surprised at how willing people would be to help you.

Kim

 

[2leafer]

Thank You All very much for your replies. I am 60 years old and I will have help once I return home. My lady friend lives across the street so I'll be covered 24/7 until I'm on my own. I plan on going to cardiac rehap ASAP as I've read how dramatic it can be towards a faster recovery. My concerns are in the hotel after surgery & on the trip flying home. I'll check with the Cleveland Clinic this week about services they may have. Dr. Gillinov's nurse mentioned "red (?) coats and/or volunteers. Maybe they give service to patients outside of the hospital but still in a close hotel. I'm thinking even though they advise 1 or 2 days in a hotel close by, depending on recovery, that it may be prudent to spend a few more days to be close by if there is a problem and to gain strength. This site is awesome and makes me really feel like I've got an extended family of support. I've got a feeling that although I'm new to VR and to forums of any type, I'm going to become a regular here like so many of you. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND THOUGHTS!!!

 

[kfay]

2leafer, I always stay at the same hotel across the street from the Mayo. Everyone staying there is having something done at the clinic. They are very used to dealing with patients. They keep wheelchairs in the hotel and would call up to my room to see if I needed anything. I would think the hotels around CC would be similar.

 

[Lynlw]

Would it be possible for someone, a family member or good friend to fly into Clveland a day or so before you are going to come home and just travel home with you? I've taken care of my son thru quite a few heart surgeries and even the ones when he was a teen in good shape, I think traveling home, by yourself could be pretty tough. I know everything IS possible if you have to do it, but if at all possible, i wou.ld try to find someone. I know they have wheelchairs, but honestly don't know if thy would have somene that would push your wheelchair thru the airports, I don't know if they have direct flights, but changing planes could be a nightmare.
then since you can't even lift a gallon of milk, even if you took the least amount of luggage, dealing with that could be a problem.
As for when you are discharged, I know CCF has alot of experience, but I keep thinking of all the running "I" have to do when Justin is discharged, including going the the Pharmacy to get his meds ect, so when you are asking about what they have volunteers to help with , be sure to ask about picking up your meds.
Then there are the smaller things you don't think about, but putting shoes and socks on by yourself, is hard, so be sure IF you will be in the hotel and traveling by yourself, to have shoes you can slip on.
and this is all the things I think of IF you have a textbook recovery and feel as good as you can after going thru OHS, IF you have complications, you might be feeling pretty wiped out for a while.

I think you should ask people, you probably would be surprised at who all would help you if you asked.

PS, another thing that could be a concern, is getting in and out of the tub to take a shower. Even if you don't need help, it is good to have someone right there just in case. Maybe you could ask the hotel if thy have any rooms with shower stalls and not just a shower in the tub (luckily we have one in our down stair bath, so I know that is much easier) or at the very least, maybe you could make sure you get a shower right before you are leaving the hospital.

 

[Star54]

I recovered solo, but did not have to fly to the hospital. I did go to a subacute facility and literally broke out within 23 hours, (long story), anyway recovering at home alone was hard but I did it. What everyone has posted are really good idea's. Just remember to keep everything within reach when you get home and keep your cell phone on you at all times. I also lived on Healthy Choice Microwave meals for a month....did not have much of an appetite. Make sure to have your scripts filled as soon as you get home. Make sure you keep the tips ready at the airport for the skycaps to help you .......lots of luck with your surgery.

 

[kfay]

Hopefully, someone with specific CC experience will come along soon, but before I left the Mayo, they had competely filled all my prescriptions and delivered them to my room.

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello and welcome!

Just wondering, having had a very successful AVR and recovery in Portland Metro myself, why it is that you are flying across the country for what might be a rather routine surgery?? You could probably get the surgery done sooner, and maybe your lady friend could drive over with you if you stayed in Oregon!

That said, I'm sure you will manage. Just have lots of tip money on hand and ask everyone for help and tip them! Of course, you'll have to be cognizant of your surrounds (which can be somewhat hilarious when you are flying high on pain killers). Also, you will be ridiculously weak the first few days home.... as in not even being able to open a door. It passes fairly quickly, but most of us are startlingly weak at first.

Glad you found us. Hope we can help.

Marguerite

 

[james]

I would add to the thought that there are a few wonderful surgical teams in Oregon. I had my first surgery at OHSU and know that the team at Sacred Heart in Eugene has a very new facility coupled with a high quality staff. Just something to think about if you feel you may need to change plans. I plan on seeing you on the Sparks Lake Run later this season so let's hope your travels are found to be easy.

 

[Lily]

I will be traveling alone to the Cleveland Clinic from Bend, Oregon in February for aortic valve replacement. . . Am I being unrealistic about pulling this off by myself? Are there any alternatives or services that I should consider? Flying back by myself is my biggest concern!

It's a surgery that can knock you off your socks, no matter how well you may feel presently. I'd highly recommend you email or fax these questions to your surgeon's office and hopefully get your surgeon's and cardio's opinions and recommendations. Adding to all of this, you may be instructed not to lift, push, or pull more than 5-10 pounds for 6-8 weeks, how could you possibly handle your luggage? Best wishes.

 

[hensylee]

Have you spoken to the airlines? In my experience (I use wheelchair help when flying), the airline employees were so very kind and I expect they would handle you with great care. When you make reservations, be sure to let them know you will need help and they should be able to meet you at the curb, get you all the way home in their kind hands. After that, with help from your neighbor, you should be just fine. Blessins........

 

[Lionheart]

2leafer,

I flew home several days after leaving Cleveland Clinic for OHS and I don't think I could have done it physically or mentally without someone with me; but you may be different. The day I was discharged was very exhausting. We had to pick up my Rx at a local pharmacy and then drive to the Hospitality Home where we were staying and that completely wore me out. We stayed there for several days to recoup before the flight and I needed a lot of assistance with food and helping me with my daily tasks, and walks in the extremely cold, humid Ohio weather.

It was comforting to have someone help with transportation to the airport, into the building, through the terminal, and then do all the same stuff to help me when we got back to Colorado. I was exhausted.

I recommend that you find a companion if possible. If not then I suggest the following.

Call CC and talk to their concierge service and see what arrangements they recommend and can provide when you are released.

Make a list now while you are coherent about what you need to do or organize, with phone numbers, names, addresses, back up plans etc. You may not remember all the details after your surgery and this will help you and others implement the plan.

Call the airline now and tell them you will need wheelchair assistance from the cab to the gate. They will have someone wheel you around. Don't try to do this yourself.

Depending on which motel you are staying at, they may be able to help too. You need to plan on how you will eat while recuperating in that motel. Some provide room service others do not.

Plan for some type of assisted pick up when you get to your home airport. Arrange now with the airline for wheelchair assistance to the cab or shuttle. You will not be fit enough to carry or drag your own bags. You should not drive this early, so don't park your car at the airport and expect to drive home.

These are my immediate thoughts and there are probably other people that may contribute additional ideas.

On a lighter side. If you are now know as 2leafer (bicuspid?) then what will we call you after surgery? "3leafer" if you get a tissue valve or "flapper" if you get a mechanical?

Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery my friend,
John

 

[Maryka]

I was solo for parts of my OHS surgical experience. A friend drove me the hour it took to get me to Johns Hopkins. I knew where I was going and my friend needed to get to her job, so I walked the several long passages it took to get me to the surgical waiting area. (I remember a nurse in the elevator gave me a back rub when she learned I was walking alone to my surgery.) My son and family live in another state. My daughter had a newborn baby and could not be with me, except in spirit. The surgeon was informed that he should report to my daughter how the surgery went. I did not wake up for over 24 hours and then moved to my room on Christmas Eve. My daughter, her husband, and baby plus my son and his pregnant wife all gathered in my room on Christmas day which made up for all of the lonely beginnings.
Going home was quite a trauma, however. My daughter could not keep me in her cramped quarters, nor could my son and his wife. My doctor would not allow any hotels or motels, which put me in a bind. Finally I called some prominent people from my church who, thankfully, welcomed me into their home for a week. (It was told I would have to go to a rehab hospital if I could not find help.)
I echo the advice you have received that you will feel really crummy in the early days. Mended Hearts organization or some other hospital-related volunteer groups might help. I understand now why I was given so many rules to follow in the early recovery period. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[catwoman]

One thought:

Do you have an advocate who can go to bat for you long-distance should you encounter problems while in the hospital -- a close friend, relative or someone who can cut through a maze of medicalese and whom you've designated per HIPAA rules to talk with medical folks?

 

[LuckyGuy]

I think Lionheart nailed it in terms of suggestions.

I too travelled to CC (from Seattle) for my surgery. After discharge, I stayed another two nights in one of the hotels right by the hospital. I have to tell you, in my case it would have been extremely difficult for me to fly home alone in my condition. Even with copious help, if I had to do it again, I would plan to spend 3 nights in the hotel.

It's true, everybody heals at a different rate, and therefore spends a different number of days in the hospital post-surgery, but they'll discharge you as soon as they reasonably can. No longer needing to be in the hospital is far different from no longer needing assistance. If I was travelling alone, I'd plan on 3 or 4 days in the hotel.

There are three hotels associated with the hospital, and a CC shuttle bus that connects the hospitals with the hotels. Information about the hotels (and the concierge) should be in your CC packet. We stayed in "the suites," which I think was the middle-priced one, and it was great. I would guess that 2/3rds of the guests were families of patients or recovering patients themselves, and the staff is very helpful and understanding.

The first day in the hotel, I was walking so slowly that several different staffers asked me if I wanted help, and I got the impression that this happens all the time. I was also mentally quite slow and everbody was very patient. It sometimes took me a good hour to eat a meal, during which I was fighting to just not nod off into my food. You'll see other survivors shuffling along, with black and blue marks on their face or arms, and some people in wheelchairs or walkers, so you won't feel out of place.

A couple other things:

1. Talk to the CC concierge in advance about getting some "in hotel" help (the red coated people won't know). They will give you some names and phone numbers of off-duty nurses who are looking for extra hours. Expect to call them and arrange times and rates directly with them. I didn't do this, but my wife actually went this route to obtain a babysitter for our two kids a couple of times so she could spend more time in the hospital.

2. If you do need to delay your scheduled return flight, the airlines will allow you to make changes to your ticket without penalties if it's medically necessary. I'm sure CC would write a note if that's the case.

3. Book early for the hotels.

4. As everybody said, be sure to get a wheelchair at both departing and arriving airports, even if you feel good when you get to the airport. It's easy to understimate the toll that walking (and even standing) will have on your body and it will be that much harder on the flight if you've pushed it.

5. The Cleveland Airport is a pretty sleepy place. You can slip your cabby an extra $10 and ask him to take care of you, and he'll be able to leave his cab at the curb and escort you in (taking care of the luggage) and get you to the wheelchair. Or, just have the cabbie leave the luggage at curbside and talk to one of the curbside checkin people or porters. They'll take good care of you if you explain the situation (and tip well

I grew up in Cleveland, and went to CC for my surgery, so if you have any questions just ask.

 

[mac]

I think you will be just fine. 2 or 3 days in the hotel just to recover alittle more. I would try to stay 5 days in the hospital though, the extra time is worth it. The airlines should take good care of you since you are considered handicapped.
Yes, everyone heals dif. and you sound as if you were pretty active, so the home thing shouldn't be a problem. I was basicly on my own as my wife left early for work. Did the stool in the shower thing for 1 day and got rid of that and showered normal, no problem.
Cooked, did dishes...etc within a week. Just watched the 5lb limit. You friend across the street will be there for you. You will not be as " help less" as you may think. After reading a blog by this guy named Adam ( don't buy his book, just come to this site) I was geared up for coming home in my P J's ( as he did ) and having a caregiver for 2 weeks. I soon realized that you get along pretty good by yourself. But then again that's me......LOL, Irishman, just alittle bullheaded, just ask my German wife...LOL...a great mix.
Along with the other posters, why Cleveland if you have great surgeons in the North West? We have great surgeons in Duluth MN. that could have done my valve, but they had me go to Mayo because of the chance of radiation damage, and Mayo has more experience with this.
Anyway, good luck......one additional thing which I must say, if you donot have a good stationary bike, get one. You will not reget it. Some days are just to crappy to walk, so I hop on the bike and do 10 miles. Love my bike, it has really pushed my recovery.
Dimondback stationary, nice and quite and many resistance levels.

Later,
Mac
AVR, single by-pass 11/19/09
Carbo medics mechanical
Dr. Suri
Mayo Clinic