Re: going to Belgium alone

October 25, 2002

Yes, . I believe it is entirely do able. While you are at the Holiday

Inn, Jan, Dr De Smets' surgical nurse, and Mark, the PT, come to see you every

day and I am certain that they would even offer further assistance. You could

also contact s Roels, the front office manager at the Inn. Tel: +32 (0) 9

222 58 85. E-mail hotel@...

We found the hotel and staff to be very helpful.

Good Luck!

Jude

BHR De Smet 09/11/02

going to Belgium alone

Hi every-one.

I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to Belgium

for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one to

go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of more

days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

ect.

Thanks

October 25, 2002

Yes, . I believe it is entirely do able. While you are at the Holiday

Inn, Jan, Dr De Smets' surgical nurse, and Mark, the PT, come to see you every

day and I am certain that they would even offer further assistance. You could

also contact s Roels, the front office manager at the Inn. Tel: +32 (0) 9

222 58 85. E-mail hotel@...

We found the hotel and staff to be very helpful.

Good Luck!

Jude

BHR De Smet 09/11/02

going to Belgium alone

Hi every-one.

I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to Belgium

for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one to

go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of more

days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

ect.

Thanks

October 25, 2002

Yes, . I believe it is entirely do able. While you are at the Holiday

Inn, Jan, Dr De Smets' surgical nurse, and Mark, the PT, come to see you every

day and I am certain that they would even offer further assistance. You could

also contact s Roels, the front office manager at the Inn. Tel: +32 (0) 9

222 58 85. E-mail hotel@...

We found the hotel and staff to be very helpful.

Good Luck!

Jude

BHR De Smet 09/11/02

going to Belgium alone

Hi every-one.

I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to Belgium

for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one to

go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of more

days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

ect.

Thanks

October 25, 2002

Thanks so much for your reply. That makes me feel so good to hear

that you feel some-one could do it alone.

Thanks for the phone number for the hotel, I'll give them a call.

> Yes, . I believe it is entirely do able. While you are at

the Holiday Inn, Jan, Dr De Smets' surgical nurse, and Mark, the PT,

come to see you every day and I am certain that they would even offer

further assistance. You could also contact s Roels, the front

office manager at the Inn. Tel: +32 (0) 9 222 58 85. E-mail hotel@h...

>

> We found the hotel and staff to be very helpful.

>

> Good Luck!

>

> Jude

> BHR De Smet 09/11/02

> going to Belgium alone

>

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one

to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of

more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 25, 2002

Thanks so much for your reply. That makes me feel so good to hear

that you feel some-one could do it alone.

Thanks for the phone number for the hotel, I'll give them a call.

> Yes, . I believe it is entirely do able. While you are at

the Holiday Inn, Jan, Dr De Smets' surgical nurse, and Mark, the PT,

come to see you every day and I am certain that they would even offer

further assistance. You could also contact s Roels, the front

office manager at the Inn. Tel: +32 (0) 9 222 58 85. E-mail hotel@h...

>

> We found the hotel and staff to be very helpful.

>

> Good Luck!

>

> Jude

> BHR De Smet 09/11/02

> going to Belgium alone

>

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one

to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of

more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 25, 2002

Thanks so much for your reply. That makes me feel so good to hear

that you feel some-one could do it alone.

Thanks for the phone number for the hotel, I'll give them a call.

> Yes, . I believe it is entirely do able. While you are at

the Holiday Inn, Jan, Dr De Smets' surgical nurse, and Mark, the PT,

come to see you every day and I am certain that they would even offer

further assistance. You could also contact s Roels, the front

office manager at the Inn. Tel: +32 (0) 9 222 58 85. E-mail hotel@h...

>

> We found the hotel and staff to be very helpful.

>

> Good Luck!

>

> Jude

> BHR De Smet 09/11/02

> going to Belgium alone

>

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one

to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of

more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 26, 2002

Hello ,

Interesting question. The travel is the key thing I think. If you are driving

then I'd suggest you shouldn't do it on your own, particularly, expressly even,

if you have a car with a clutch to operate. If it's an automatic and your

operated hip/leg is not needed to push in pedals then maybe. But I'd urge you to

stay in the hospital/Holiday Inn, for the days needed for you to practise

driving before setting out on a potentially long trip home.

If you are going by taxi/train/plane then it would be more feasible and you

would need less time to prepare. However, mobility is not the problem - you'll

be getting about on crutches quite well - lavatories are the problem. You can't

comfortably sit on the usual toilet as you need a raised seat. Therefore your

journey needs planning quite carefully. Others on this group could comment on

how they coped without raised seats on airplane flights. It's possible and has

been done.

Good luck,

Chris.

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 26, 2002

Hello ,

Interesting question. The travel is the key thing I think. If you are driving

then I'd suggest you shouldn't do it on your own, particularly, expressly even,

if you have a car with a clutch to operate. If it's an automatic and your

operated hip/leg is not needed to push in pedals then maybe. But I'd urge you to

stay in the hospital/Holiday Inn, for the days needed for you to practise

driving before setting out on a potentially long trip home.

If you are going by taxi/train/plane then it would be more feasible and you

would need less time to prepare. However, mobility is not the problem - you'll

be getting about on crutches quite well - lavatories are the problem. You can't

comfortably sit on the usual toilet as you need a raised seat. Therefore your

journey needs planning quite carefully. Others on this group could comment on

how they coped without raised seats on airplane flights. It's possible and has

been done.

Good luck,

Chris.

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 26, 2002

Hello ,

Interesting question. The travel is the key thing I think. If you are driving

then I'd suggest you shouldn't do it on your own, particularly, expressly even,

if you have a car with a clutch to operate. If it's an automatic and your

operated hip/leg is not needed to push in pedals then maybe. But I'd urge you to

stay in the hospital/Holiday Inn, for the days needed for you to practise

driving before setting out on a potentially long trip home.

If you are going by taxi/train/plane then it would be more feasible and you

would need less time to prepare. However, mobility is not the problem - you'll

be getting about on crutches quite well - lavatories are the problem. You can't

comfortably sit on the usual toilet as you need a raised seat. Therefore your

journey needs planning quite carefully. Others on this group could comment on

how they coped without raised seats on airplane flights. It's possible and has

been done.

Good luck,

Chris.

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 26, 2002

thank you for your input chris.

I wouldn't be driving as I'll be comming from California, so the

whole trip will be plane, train, taxi.

I think my fears center around difficulties once I get to the Holiday

Inn after surgery.I would be by myself and I have all sort of anxiety

about having difficulty managing every-thing.

I have a phone # for the Holiday Inn so I plan to make a call to just

see what services are available.

Thanks again for the information. Every little bit helps!

Best regards

> > Hi every-one.

> > I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

Belgium

> > for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one

to

> > go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of

more

> > days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> > ect.

> > Thanks

> >

October 26, 2002

Hi , I had the company of my daughters and grand-daughter, who

were certainly a help to me and fun to have along. I could have

managed most thing re the hospital and Holiday Inn myself. It was the

extra travelling where it was good to have them, and even then people

were very gracious to help a woman with crutches with a child and

another woman with a baby. Hands were always there to lift a bag,

etc. I travelled very light, just a carry-on size rolling bag (which

I checked anyway, and a Healthy Back back bag, and an around my waist

flat bag for under clothing for the cash, passport, etc.

I only had one hip done and I was able to manage the toilets ok. As

long as I could pull up or push up that was a help. I had the

traditional American crutch and could place it it a toilet beside it

with the cushion handle against the wall and use it to push up on. I

returned to the states after 2 weeks, so that was when I had to

handle the airplane. I was up and down every thirty minutes as

recommended.

Where in CA are you? I am in Ventura. Isara

> > > Hi every-one.

> > > I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

> Belgium

> > > for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-

one

> to

> > > go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple

of

> more

> > > days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday

Inn,

> > > ect.

> > > Thanks

> > >

October 27, 2002

I live in Sacramento Isara but I spent many years in Southern

California, mostly around Long Beach and a few years up by Lebec. I

went to school for a year in Maricopa, sort of just over the hill

from you.

when did you have surgery and how are you doing? I read alot of the

posts but can't keep track of all the different names, ect.

I am awaiting the 'final word' from the Department of Managed Care on

their decision if my insurance will pay for the C+ at JRI.

After doing some research I really believe a BHR is better for me

since my hip is dysplasic. And as of yet, this isn't available for us

over here.

So........ regardless of what the DMC decides, I'm really leaning

towards Belgium. Actually, a denial would work right into my plan to

go to Belgium, get my BHR, then come back and take my insurance

company to court. It really would just complicate things if the C+ is

ok'ed

My son initally said he would go with me to Belgium but he's now in

the terrible 27's which mean's he's not too interested in going

anywhere with me. It's not that I'm so terrible it's just that he has

a life and job, ect.

It is very encouraging to see posts on this site that support going

to Belgium alone since I don't want this to stand in my way if indeed

that is my only option.

Thanks for the information!

> > > > Hi every-one.

> > > > I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

> > Belgium

> > > > for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-

> one

> > to

> > > > go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple

> of

> > more

> > > > days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday

> Inn,

> > > > ect.

> > > > Thanks

> > > >

October 27, 2002

:

Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I am

scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it starting

to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My daughter

really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse) but

she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3) with

relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 27, 2002

:

Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I am

scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it starting

to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My daughter

really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse) but

she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3) with

relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 27, 2002

:

Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I am

scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it starting

to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My daughter

really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse) but

she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3) with

relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 27, 2002

no I haven't scheduled yet. I'm waiting for the department of managed

care to make a final decision if my insurance plan will have to pay

for a C+ at jri in LA.

I should know within a couple of weeks one way or the other. After

the DMC decision is final, that would be the time I would start

things going in the direction of Dr DeSemet.

You are scheduled for January, 3 months out.

Is this date of your choosing or is this how long the wait is now?

From the responses I've received it looks like going it alone is an

option. We might have to do a couple of things differently. We may

need to spend more time in the hospital and ask for help more when we

transfer to the Holiday Inn.

You know, I don't know what shape you are in but I am fairly bad off

at this point. I need my cane to even walk in my small apartment, I

don't go shopping or any-thing like that, and pain is an almost

constant companion.

Depite this, I function quite well, taking care of myself and right

now even boxing up my entire apartment by myself for a move in 2

weeks.

I was thinking yesterday, hey, if I can do all this now, with the

physical limitations I have, maybe adjusting to post op wouldn't be

nearly so hard.

If one goes into surgery doing fairly well, then the inital post op

can be a big blow with many new restrictions.

going into surgery like I am now may prove to be a blessing in the

long run.

After the 1st several days we may be feeling better than right now.

(or at least that is the fantasy I'm sticking with)

I might make my surgery date soon and we might be 'neighbors'

> :

>

> Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I

am

> scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it

starting

> to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My

daughter

> really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse) but

> she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3) with

> relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

> Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 27, 2002

no I haven't scheduled yet. I'm waiting for the department of managed

care to make a final decision if my insurance plan will have to pay

for a C+ at jri in LA.

I should know within a couple of weeks one way or the other. After

the DMC decision is final, that would be the time I would start

things going in the direction of Dr DeSemet.

You are scheduled for January, 3 months out.

Is this date of your choosing or is this how long the wait is now?

From the responses I've received it looks like going it alone is an

option. We might have to do a couple of things differently. We may

need to spend more time in the hospital and ask for help more when we

transfer to the Holiday Inn.

You know, I don't know what shape you are in but I am fairly bad off

at this point. I need my cane to even walk in my small apartment, I

don't go shopping or any-thing like that, and pain is an almost

constant companion.

Depite this, I function quite well, taking care of myself and right

now even boxing up my entire apartment by myself for a move in 2

weeks.

I was thinking yesterday, hey, if I can do all this now, with the

physical limitations I have, maybe adjusting to post op wouldn't be

nearly so hard.

If one goes into surgery doing fairly well, then the inital post op

can be a big blow with many new restrictions.

going into surgery like I am now may prove to be a blessing in the

long run.

After the 1st several days we may be feeling better than right now.

(or at least that is the fantasy I'm sticking with)

I might make my surgery date soon and we might be 'neighbors'

> :

>

> Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I

am

> scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it

starting

> to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My

daughter

> really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse) but

> she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3) with

> relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

> Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 28, 2002

It is possible for your daughter to come and stay in the family room

with the 3 year old. My daughter came with her 19 month old baby and

I brought my 7 year old. So you can really have it the way you want

it... either way!

Isara

> :

>

> Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I

am

> scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it

starting

> to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My

daughter

> really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse) but

> she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3) with

> relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

> Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 28, 2002

I strongly recommend some kind of activity pre-op. I did physical

therapy for 6 months prior, and it really makes a difference. I

started pretty much at a low point, but whatever you can do will be

better for your recovery. Your insurance should cover it if your doc

prescribes it. I got educated on what exercises to do and did them

with supervision, including stationary bike. I was on two crutches

for the last 3 months, 1 for short distances. I was very pleased with

the continuity that provided for me, and the muscles remember....

Isara

> > :

> >

> > Thanks for asking the question of traveling alone before I did. I

> am

> > scheduled for surgery in Belgium the 28th of January and it

> starting

> > to look more and more like I will be going it alone also. My

> daughter

> > really wants to go with me (she is wound care specialist nurse)

but

> > she is a single mom and would have to leave her kids (5 and 3)

with

> > relatives for two weeks. I don't feel very comfortable with that.

> > Have you scheduled yet? Good luck!!!

October 28, 2002

Hi Jude,

How are you doing? I bet you are making a climbing schedule already.

Wasn't s a great guy and manager? Did you also meet Vasy, the bartender

from Sri Lanka?

I'm feeling stronger all the time. I just returned from my second trip to LA

and played some tennis with my brother. He was amazed at how much I have

improved my movement in the last three weeks.

Take care,

Saeed

October 28, 2002

Jude,

I'm glad to hear that you're doing great. I've enjoyed reading your posts and

reliving the wonderful experiences of Ghent. Sounds like you took full

advantage of the travel. We will have to have a Belgian hippy reunion someday

with Peg, , and all the others.

Take care,

Saeed

October 29, 2002

Hi . I just checked the board after being away for awhile and

saw your post. I'm scheduled for a BHR in Belgium on November 13th.

I was planning on going it alone and had exactly the same concerns as

you. Even though Koen assured me I would be fine, I wasn't

convinced, so I contacted s at the Holiday Inn and he offered

me the handicap room which apparently is on the ground floor near the

front desk. I felt better knowing help would be right outside my

door. As it turns out, my son is able to make the trip for a few

days following my surgery. I will still be alone for about 3 days

after he leaves, but by then, I should be fine. Koen said staying a

third day in the hospital would make a big difference, so that is an

option for you too. Believe me, I'm a chicken and I asked if I could

stay in one of the family rooms at the hospital until I left, but

Koen said that was not possible. I'm sure you will meet several

Americans with their friends and families who will help you as well.

I've met a couple of great women on this board who are scheduled the

day before me and have generously offered their support. I've heard

great things about the staff at the HI too, so I think we'll be

fine! Good luck. Donna

> Hi every-one.

> I'm just wondering if there is any-one out there who went to

Belgium

> for surgery but went alone. And for those of you who had some-one

to

> go with you, could you have done it alone with maybe a couple of

more

> days in the hospital, using room service more at the Holiday Inn,

> ect.

> Thanks

>

October 29, 2002