home alone

[madgrannyBeth]

I’m not sure if I’ve just posted this on another part of the site but I’m going to repost it here. I’ve just read on the letter that if I’m allowed home the same night, I should have someone stay here with me. I live alone but my son is just a block away and both my neighbours are friends and have told me to phone them if I need them. Does anyone think this would be ok or should I really have someone here.

[doodle68]

Hi Beth I live alone and my son 5 miles away and I had to confirm to the hospital doing the ablation that someone would stay the night with me afterwards if allowed home the same day.

I didn’t feel it was necessary but was glad to have my son to stay in the end . I had heavy bleeding from the groin (which is not common) and had to have applied pressure to the wound for 5 hours before being allowed home and felt very weak . It was reassuring to know there was someone there to watch over me the first night .

[BobD Volunteer]

I have never , ever been allowed home from my EP hospital unaccompanied. You need supervision in case of any problems, especially with entry wounds. Mind you I have never been discharged same day due to my living 250 miles from the hospital and it is a five or more hour journey by car to collect me.

[opal11uk]

No, someone should definitely be with you, if you have no one willing to stay then the hospital should keep you in overnight.

[Tarikor]

You absolutely need someone there. No excuses. If no one can stay, stay at the hospital. On my 3rd ablation I had to use the toilet, was quite constipated, and pressing hard, I burst the entry wound in my groin on the left side. What followed was something out of a nightmare... how the arterial blood crept up under the muscle and skin on my inner thigh. Thankfully, this happened when I was still at the hospital just about to be discharged. I was discharged the following day so that they could monitor the wound. A nurse had to apply pressure for over 15 minutes to the entry wound to stabilise it, and a doctor had to look at it closely to ensure they didn't need to do that special stiching inside that they do for heart ablations via catheter.

So yeah, do NOT stay home alone the first night at least and take it easy when pressing your abdoment for anything (using the loo, but anything else that requires straining).

Cheers!

[Buzby62]

Probably a bit late now but in my opinion the answer to both your recent posts is to follow the instructions in your letter.

Good luck with your procedure, let us know how you are afterwards, it will be over before you know it.

Best wishes

[dogsneedwalking]

I've had catheter ablation and cardioversion and yes like everyone else please do not go home 'alone' Take care.

[CDreamer]

No I do not think it would be OK. You need someone there for the first night or even two.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Beth

It's all very well for others, who have no idea what it's like living on your own, to give their opinions. We feel a nuisance if we have to ask family or friends for help. I came out of hospital the day after each my 3 ablations. I had a friend stay twice after my first two and I felt so well. After the third I think I may have stayed at my daughters one night, may even have been driven straight home. My ablation experiences are just a distant memory now.

Would your son be willing to come and sleep at your house for a night or so? Or could you give your neighbours a key to your house and ask if they could just pop in briefly every so often to see that you're ok. No, I've changed my mind about that last sentence you may want to rest, don't ask them to pop in, you may want to sleep. You don't want anyone visiting you who may expect you to provide tea and biscuits while they tell you at great length that their Aunt Amy had the same procedure (with brass knobs on). You may want lots of rest and that's easier done if you are on your own.

Make, or buy yourself a weeks pre prepared meals and pop them in the freezer as you may not feel like doing much. Really stock up on all provisions that you may need for the first week. Don't exert yourself at all in that time. I stupidly got up one night, shortly after an ablation, when I decided that I could feel the wires in the electric blanket under me in bed and took it off (princess and the pea story). I then had the most searing pain in my heart for what seemed like a minute. Telephoned my GP next morning and told him, he said lets just call it an occurrence and if it happens again make sure you let me know. It never happened again.

We'll all be with you after your ablation, ready to help via the internet if you need any support or tips.

Jean

[madgrannyBeth in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean. I’ve already stocked the freezer and pantry with ready meals so I won’t have to cook. I’d totally forgotten about having someone in the house, I’m so used to being independent-and I agree, we hate having to ask for help. But my daughter in law, who lives just a short walk away, has just messaged that I’m staying round there tonight , so that’s sorted. I’ll just be glad when it’s over now- just 3 hrs to go. And isn’t it amazing that, when you know you’re not allowed a bite of food, all you can think of is a cup of tea and a biscuit haha

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to madgrannyBeth]

Good luck, I hope all goes well for you and you're soon fighting fit. xx

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Someone with you.

Or stay with someone else.

I have the same scenario.

If you don't wake up in am but the other checks on you.

So you see you wouldn'r ring anyone in that su=ir=tuation.

cheri JOY 75 (NZ)

[Snowgirl65]

I would think with help so close by (friends and son) you'd be able to stay on your own, but rules are rules and maybe it's best to stay the night in the hospital. I'm in your situation as well -- alone, but with help close by -- and had to stay overnight after my ablation(s).

[Jalia]

I'm also due ablation very soon (11 June) and am wondering just what the person staying overnight would be expected to do. I'm not new to this as it will be my 5th ablation but I'm now carer for my husband who has Parkinson's. He will be as much use in an emergency as the cat. I may also have to phone for an Uber to get me home.

[Ppiman]

Someone needs to need with you on the way and at home, I feel sure.

Steve