HEI patients.. those who stayed at Seton and then a hotel later

[Tamster]

Hi all,
  I am wondering of those of you who went to House for your surgery, if you went to another hotel after being discharged from the hospital, how close were you advised to stay? I think it would be lovely for us to get away from the hospital those last 5 or 6 days, but also don't want to be so far away that we'd have trouble getting back if complications arise. Where did you stay? What was your experience? Would you do it the same if you had it to do over?
I know many folks stay at Seton the entire time. So I'm debating what we should do.

Thanks,

Tammy

[JerseyGirl2]

Hi, Tammy,

I went to House for my surgery and my husband and I (and our daughter, who was in grad school at the time, spent several nights with us as well) stayed at Seton Hall for almost the entire duration. We had an early morning flight back to New Jersey on a Saturday, so we left Seton Friday afternoon and went to one of the LAX hotels (I think it was the Marriott) for the last night (this enabled us to turn in our rental car at the hotel on Friday and catch the hotel's airport shuttle rather than navigate the LA freeways the morning of the flight).

I was very content staying at Seton the whole time -- we had a car, so did not feel at all "confined" there -- and I was very comfortable knowing that House Ear was across the street and St. Vincent's was an even closer walk (via basement tunnel or short walk outside). It's not luxurious by any means, but certainly adequate. I know there are some people on the forum who did go to LA hotels after release from the hospital (House provides a list of relatively close hotels), so I hope they'll join this discussion.

I do think that having the rental car made a big difference -- I didn't really have any post-surgery issues, so we were able to get out and about on a regular basis (except, obviously, the days I was in the hospital).

Best wishes as your plans develop.

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[cindyj]

Hey, Tammy!  You already know what I did, but I'll put the info out here in case any other future House folks want/need to know. 

My husband stayed at Seton House while I was in the hospital, but my mother stayed at a nearby hotel - the Kyoto Gardens.  Once I was released, my husband returned home and Mom stayed out there with me.  She & I intended to stay at Seton, but ended up back over at the hotel.  I knew I needed to be away from the hospital setting to recover, just me.  I so enjoyed the hotel, even though I'm still paying off the credit card bill .  Like I told Tammy, I really, really splurged and had the hotel salon wash and dry my hair...best decision I made throughout my whole AN journey

Know that some others moved to a hotel post-op also.  House does provide a list of convenient hotels...

Cindy

[jaylogs]

I plan on staying at my in-law's home as soon as the doctors allow me to. They live about 90 miles away. I already got the reservations at Seton Hall for my wife and the in-laws but you have a good point Cindy, try to get out of the hospital environment as soon as possible...just me as well!

[another NY postie]

Tammy,
My husband stayed at Seton while I was in hospital and then when I was discharged we continued at Seton for 3 days (we had a rental car so we were driving around a lot as I was okay in car) and my last two nights we went to Mahattan Beach and stayed in a Marriott Residence which was nice and fun to be away from the hospital.  It was a good transition for us.
Cheryl

[Joef]

my wife I did the same thing!!!   .. but I was one with the AN   

[OTO]

Call the surgery nurse (I can't remember her name) or the Doctor's assistant.   Ask them for the list of hotels that offer the House Clinic discount.    Some people don't stay at Seton Guest Center at all and spend the whole recovery time at a hotel.   After I was discharged from St. Vincent, unless you have an emergency, you do your followup at the House Clinic about 10 days post-op...   and then you can go home.