Re: BHR in Belgium September 7 Also

[Guest guest]

> Hello everyone,

> I have also just made all the arrangements to have surgery in

Belgium

> on September 7th. My husband and I are flying into Amsterdam from

> Vancouver on September 4th, taking the train to Gent and staying

in a

> B&B prior to surgery. After the Holiday Inn stay, we plan to stay

> another 5-6 days to look around, providing I can get around!

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to places to stay, things to

do,

> etc. or just tips for making the whole recovery process go

smoothly?

>

> Thanks,

> Dean

Dear :

I'm going for surgery with Dr. De Smet on 8/11 and will be staying

at the DeBruyne B&B in Brugge. I believe I accessed the B&B sites

through De Smets web page. From what I hear you definitely want to

see Brugge! From what I gather from reading posts and books like

Peggy 's book on the opening page of this web site and Dr.

Tom Simpson's journal of his Belgian experience,you will need to buy

a sock helper as you won't be able to put on socks eg the support

hose unaided without one. I would also bring nylon running pants to

make it easier to swivel out of chairs and your bed and if possible

get a bed with an extra mattress to make getting out of bed easier.

The Holiday Inn can probably supply one for you at no cost as well

as giving you a raised toilet seat to make getting up and down

easier with one stiff, barely-bendible leg. Don't forget to get the

free taxi chits at the Holiday Inn which are provided for De Smet's

patients and order extra pair of support hose from the hospital. I

would get a guide book (there are many at and Noble). I would

arrange to bring traveler's check in euros and probably bring some

euros which you can probably order from American Express or perhaps

through your bank. Once settled in you can use an ATM machine. It

will be helpful to ask for emails from others scheduled for the same

week so you can get to know your fellow " Belgian Hippies " before you

get there.That way you have a support group right from the start. If

you can afford to rent a hospital bed you might consider getting one

on your arrival home. I got one from a friend at work and it's so

much more comfortable having a high bed which bends in the middle to

elevate your legs. Another option others like is a large reclining

chair.

Keep in touch and I'll be glad to answer other questions.

Jim Glover (De Smet 8/11/4)