Background: I'm scheduled to have SRS in 2014. I met a woman last night who just had SRS with the surgeon I'm using. She said that it was a mistake to stay in the convalescent facility without someone with you - that after hours no one was available if you needed something.
I had planned to stay there alone because there's no one I feel comfortable asking to stay with me. My only idea was to ask my 16-year-old daughter whether she could stay with me. I told her I understood that it wouldn't be a fun four days but that there are times when family needs to come through for one another, especially when someone needs taking care of.
She clammed up and refused to talk more about it.
I'm so scared. I can't get this image out of my mind of lying in bed a few days post-op. My bottom half is a sea of pain, and it hurts more every time I move. I need something to help me be comfortable - a drink, help getting myself to the lavatory, something. And there's no one to do it.
I'm faced with the fact that I've lived my life in such a self-centered and closeted way that now that I need help, I have nowhere to turn.
I apologize for the gush of self-pity. I feel so scared and alone and helpless. I'm used to running a family and this not a comfortable place for me.
