Information please

[bever01]

My hubby has a 3 day assessment/tests in Cambridge. Am I allowed to visit whilst he is there and if so are there local travel lodges, B and B that anyone can recommend. No useful information with the paperwork. Confusing at the best of time but more so now. Any info would be gratefully received. Thanks

[Mama41]

I always stay at the Travelodge near the hospital if I have an early appointment. It's not that cheap though I paid £115 to stay there last Tuesday. I'm sure the hospital has a list of cheaper b&b's or you could try Airbnb. I've no idea on whether you're allowed to visit but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to.

[bever01 in reply to Mama41]

Hi thanks - we found the travelodge and booked that. Not too bad I suppose for 2 with breakfast for £220 but my dtr and I aren't going to travel all the way home and back every day. Nothing about visiting - distinct lack of information for partners etc. Many thanks for the info on the rooms x

[Mama41 in reply to bever01]

If you know the ward he will be on then you can google the visiting times.

There are lots of restaurants etc at the back of the Travelodge. It's not a bad place to stay. There is even a cinema if you're at a loose end in the evening.

Best wishes to you and your husband x

[AyrshireK]

My hubby had a 4 day assessment at Edinburgh and I was there from start to finish (apart from attending tests etc.). We specifically asked that I could be since he struggles to compute information or relay information due to symptoms of HE. At the end of the day you are both in the 'transplant situation' - he as patient, you as carer and you both need to know the ins and outs of it. I sat by his bed side except when 'kicked out' at meal times but the rest of the time I was allowed to sit in on consultations, chats with co-ordinators etc. etc. Ask them what their protocol is because it no doubt changes from centre to centre but my hubby wanted me there as much of the time as possible and I was.

Wishing you both all the best, Katie

[bever01 in reply to AyrshireK]

Sorry cut my message off mid stream. Like your hubby mine gets confused and doesn't take things in so as I have to manage it I want an input and also learn where we go from here. Thanks for the advice xx

[Lynsangster in reply to AyrshireK]

Absolutely the same with us in Kings. They welcomed the family support network and as said Katie, the HE makes a bit of a nonsense of replies at times. It's tough on you too. Very draining and have to be on your toes all the time. I stayed at the wonderful Listen Lodge at kings. It was my haven initially as three days turned into 2.5 weeks as renal failure happened. I moved to Church Street Hotel in Camberwell and it was wonderful. Bit bonkers but lovely, lovely staff highly recommended

Good luck my dear. No good news for us sadly but wish you all the very best.

[PCBnPBC]

ASK the TX team, and if they do not welcome you explain what H.E. is to them!!

Of course they will know, and if for no other reason of which there are many, your right to be around is certain.

My wife was as much (more) impacted by my transplant (and H.E.) as I was.

Good luck, the future is bright!

Charlie.

[Pateo]

Simply Google "Cambridge B&B", you will find accommodation in your budget range and handy for the hospital. Lots to choose from.

visitcambridge.org/ is the "official" city website and a good place to start.

[Hidden]

My husband has been assessed twice, I was involved in both assessments, he also suffers from HE, families are crucial to the assessment process , wishing you all the best 😊

[oes46]

Check out Addenbrookes Liver Transplant Association on the web. I didn't stay during my husbands assessment so not sure whether you can visit throughout the tests but I did join him on the last day & took part in the discussions. Whilst he was in for the transplant I stayed several nights at Pemberton House, details on the ALTA web site. The rooms were nice & there was a communal kitchen where I could microwave food bought at the M&S in the hospital. Plus as it's in the grounds it was just a couple of minutes walk. That was a bonus as I don't drive. Wishing you well.

[dckimberly]

Hi there. Yes you can visit, no worries! My partner always made the drive, we are about 90 minutes away, but I'm sorry, I don't know of any lodges.

Addenbrookes liver ward is where he will most likely be. They will take him for tests, etc. you can really be there all day. Sometimes they like visitors to leave during the afternoon rest time after lunch, so plan on that..from about 1230 to 230. Depending, you may even be able to take him downstairs to the food court during the evenings for coffee etc.

TV is 35.00 or so for three days, I think, maybe less. There is a TV with movies I think in one of the rooms on the ward, that you can use for free. The food is ok, it's hospital food. If he has any special dietary supplement drinks he uses at home, you can bring some labeled with his name for the patient fridge.

Oh, I don't know about him, but those beds and pillows can make you sweat..I always bring a pillow from home. And he can have toiletries, etc. he will have a small cupboard type table next to his bed. And if he gets hot, he can ask for a fan for next to his bed.

Good luck!

Don't worry they will explain everything, and they are great. The liver team at Addenbrooks attracts doctors from all over the world. Mr. Butler is there, the only surgeon in the UK that performs multi visceral surgeries. And they are moving the Papworth heart transplant center there.

Your in good hands, the staff are wonderful!

Cheering you on!

xxxxx

[Hidden]

The list of hotels recommended by the clinic are:

Travel Lodge Cambridge Central Hotel

Cambridge leisure park

Cliftonville way

CB1 7DY

08719846101

Acer house

3 Dean drive

Holbrook Road

CB1 7SW

01223210404

Carolina Guest House

138 Pere road

CB1 3NX

01223247015

Tenison Towers

148 Tension Road

CB1 2DP

01223363924

Ashtrees

128 Perne Road

CB1 3RR

01223411233

Hamden guest house

89 high street

Cherry Hilton

CB1 9LU

01223413263

[dckimberly]

Hi there. The fifth floor wards are normally closed at lunch time, allowing patients to rest and staff to take their lunch breaks easier. My partner drives the 90 min. Each time. Although three days is really not that long and they can take you at all hours for your tests, X-rays, cat scans etc. and you have to sit and wait. Your not allowed to go with him to the tests.

My partner used to go every day to visit me. But I stopped him. I was in so often it just got silly. Especially after my first transplant."I was in hospital for a month...he needed to be at home more and I needed to focus.

Just my opinion for what it's worth.

Oh and Addenbrookes do have short term lets for family members, but I don't think an assessment coults as a reason for the use of one of these.

Cambridge is an expensive area to begin with.

Good luck!

Kimberly.