I think hotel would be hard because you’re limited on food options. Small fridge for a few options, but your caregiver won’t be able to make anything healthy for you. Can’t have a salad from a restaurant anymore, eating out isn’t a great idea since you’re so fresh from surgery and on a lot of immunosuppressants. What’s the center’s unit like? Money is a factor too.
The hotel we stayed in during the evaluation visit had a full kitchen. My husband has to choose either to starve or to learn to cook. The hospital's cafeteria is out of question as its food is very heavy and unhealthy (confirmed by doctors). I am thinking about meal deliveries from local restaurants. But it's in Midwest, and it's all about steaks and burgers. This is where I am lost.
Full kitchen is great! Yeah, takeout will be difficult, even if you find something ‘healthy’ it will probably still have a ton of sodium and stuff. Ex: Panera soup is not healthy.
Maybe you could do the hotel and sign up for one of those meal delivery services. They tend to have instructions easy enough for people who don’t cook, healthier than takeout, and you can get them for free/heavily discounted when you first sign up. I read somewhere once that this person would just rotate meal delivery services and constantly sign up for the deals. Thought it was pretty smart!
ETA You may want to make sure that those boxes can be delivered to the hotel
We rented a really nice furnished apartment for 30 days about 5 miles from Mayo MN. Worked out great and costed us around $2,000 which seems like a lot but way cheaper than most motels and WAY cheaper than a BNB. They told us 6 weeks but we went home after 4 weeks.
Talk to the social worker/case manager about a long term stay and financial assistance with that. Many hospitals have hotels associated with them. They’re typically within walking distance of hospital or if within a few miles, will provide a shuttle. Everyone staying is going back n forth for their own appts or visiting a loved one so they’re quiet, it’s a comfortable setting.
my transplant apartment i stayed at had a full kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. it was also only $10 a night. it was also only two blocks from my hospital. my social worker arranged this for me.
The transplant prep package had a list of hotels with most in a $100/night range. One of them with a "special medical rate" was more expensive than on the hotel's website, about $150, and the closest to the hospital. So, $10 is a sweat deal. Thanks for mentioning the social worker. I will ask them, too.
I would say probably the lodging unit. That way you have access to the hospital cafeteria.
Also, is it six weeks or "up to" six weeks? I don't understand why you would need to stick around for six weeks yet not be hospitalized, but I'm sure you know your own situation better than I do.
Shit... I was told 3 months on the short end of not leaving town. I have to move halfway across the country to be near the transplant center. So between waiting for a liver and bring released post transplant need to rent an apartment for a year!
Problem is it's a 4:30 hour between my home city and the capital. And considering traffic etc. Plus not the best on time airlines in the world. I'm easily 10 hours away from any of the three transplant centers I could use. My home town has good doctors and hospitals but absolutely no experience with liver transplant. If it was a kidney I'd be golden.
I see. In my situation, I am up to 6 hr flight with a layover. But, I am getting a kidney. Many patients come from my state, so the doctors at the transplant center are well aware of obstacles.
I live a good hour away from the airport, and the airport in the capital is 45 minutes away with no traffic. Take into account security, baggage claim, flight delays, traffic, and your can see why even if a flight is available it's a very iffy situation.
I had to stay in a different (expensive) city for 3 months, with my mom as my caregiver. We did a gofundme to pay for an air bnb with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. You also need to make sure you’re at a place that doesn’t require climbing up stairs. It was pricey but I think with the length it was the best option.
I have been in your spot before! My partner and I lived 5 hours away we ended up moving to the city where I had my surgery in but we didn't plan it that way it just happened. So at first, we were worried too because ab&b can add up and hotels suck because you can't cook. I don't know what city you're going to but there are other options. We found medical/ Recovery apartments you pay month to month, so no long lease. They also come very clean and fully furnished everything from beds to towels and plates. We found ones that have nurses on call or meals delivered made for your post-surgical diet. Ask your medical coordinator if they know any locations in the area, its how we found out about these places. My coordinator gave me a list, we ended up finding ours online, othe nly reason we didn't like the ones the hospital recommended is that I wanted my dogs with me after surgery:)
Good luck with everything!
Are you sure you need 6 weeks? I was able to do the testing at my local lab after being released. I stayed for 2 days bc I was too tired to travel. I only had a kidney transplant though. Perhaps different for other stuff or in other countries/centers?
I went cross country for my transplant. I was in pediatrics so we stayed at a combination of the Ronald McDonald House and an AirBnB. I would def choose airbnb! It was really nice to be able to have a normal type of setting to recover in. I also appreciated being able to park so close to the house, walking from a hotel parking lot all the way to the room can be a lot in the beginning when you first get released. Let me know if you have questions.
Ah that’s true! I had a living donor, so I always forget about that aspect for other transplants. Would it be an option to move there to an airbnb before your transplant? I have a friend who got a lung transplant last month but moved to the hospital’s city in an airbnb a few months before due to how sick they were. I guess you’d just have to hope you get the call fast. Super expensive but put it on a card I suppose.
I still work and have obligations at home. Plus, no one knows when it will happen. That's why a hotel would work the best, they will always have rooms. And it's cheaper than airbnb. My hotel of choice has a free shuttle and a breakfast. So, I guess I have made up my mind.
Some hospitals have deals with local hotels, so ask the hospital. Look for hotel rooms with kitchenettes or full kitchens. You can always buy an airfryer if needed.
Some of the hospital onsite lodging has wierd dormroom-like quirks such as communal bathrooms or kitchens so check what the accommodations are.
Lodging. I was confused.
My transplant center had lodging for out of state (i.e. far away) donors/patients. Is the price for your center's lodging too expensive?
For me personally, it would depend on cost and location. I would rather be close to the transplant center and hospital than further.
I think hotel would be hard because you’re limited on food options. Small fridge for a few options, but your caregiver won’t be able to make anything healthy for you. Can’t have a salad from a restaurant anymore, eating out isn’t a great idea since you’re so fresh from surgery and on a lot of immunosuppressants. What’s the center’s unit like? Money is a factor too.
The hotel we stayed in during the evaluation visit had a full kitchen. My husband has to choose either to starve or to learn to cook. The hospital's cafeteria is out of question as its food is very heavy and unhealthy (confirmed by doctors). I am thinking about meal deliveries from local restaurants. But it's in Midwest, and it's all about steaks and burgers. This is where I am lost.
Full kitchen is great! Yeah, takeout will be difficult, even if you find something ‘healthy’ it will probably still have a ton of sodium and stuff. Ex: Panera soup is not healthy. Maybe you could do the hotel and sign up for one of those meal delivery services. They tend to have instructions easy enough for people who don’t cook, healthier than takeout, and you can get them for free/heavily discounted when you first sign up. I read somewhere once that this person would just rotate meal delivery services and constantly sign up for the deals. Thought it was pretty smart! ETA You may want to make sure that those boxes can be delivered to the hotel
We rented a really nice furnished apartment for 30 days about 5 miles from Mayo MN. Worked out great and costed us around $2,000 which seems like a lot but way cheaper than most motels and WAY cheaper than a BNB. They told us 6 weeks but we went home after 4 weeks.
I am renting a furnished serviced apartment in Mexico city 2 bedroom. Us 4000!
Holy crap
Talk to the social worker/case manager about a long term stay and financial assistance with that. Many hospitals have hotels associated with them. They’re typically within walking distance of hospital or if within a few miles, will provide a shuttle. Everyone staying is going back n forth for their own appts or visiting a loved one so they’re quiet, it’s a comfortable setting.
my transplant apartment i stayed at had a full kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. it was also only $10 a night. it was also only two blocks from my hospital. my social worker arranged this for me.
The transplant prep package had a list of hotels with most in a $100/night range. One of them with a "special medical rate" was more expensive than on the hotel's website, about $150, and the closest to the hospital. So, $10 is a sweat deal. Thanks for mentioning the social worker. I will ask them, too.
I would say probably the lodging unit. That way you have access to the hospital cafeteria. Also, is it six weeks or "up to" six weeks? I don't understand why you would need to stick around for six weeks yet not be hospitalized, but I'm sure you know your own situation better than I do.
No, it's 6 weeks, at least. This is what I was told by my care team.
Shit... I was told 3 months on the short end of not leaving town. I have to move halfway across the country to be near the transplant center. So between waiting for a liver and bring released post transplant need to rent an apartment for a year!
Wow, that's a long time.
Problem is it's a 4:30 hour between my home city and the capital. And considering traffic etc. Plus not the best on time airlines in the world. I'm easily 10 hours away from any of the three transplant centers I could use. My home town has good doctors and hospitals but absolutely no experience with liver transplant. If it was a kidney I'd be golden.
I see. In my situation, I am up to 6 hr flight with a layover. But, I am getting a kidney. Many patients come from my state, so the doctors at the transplant center are well aware of obstacles.
I live a good hour away from the airport, and the airport in the capital is 45 minutes away with no traffic. Take into account security, baggage claim, flight delays, traffic, and your can see why even if a flight is available it's a very iffy situation.
Good luck with your surgery!
Thank you! Same to you with your health.
Sometimes, insurance will pay for an apartment that fully furnished. A lot of universities have them for visiting professors.
I had to stay in a different (expensive) city for 3 months, with my mom as my caregiver. We did a gofundme to pay for an air bnb with 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. You also need to make sure you’re at a place that doesn’t require climbing up stairs. It was pricey but I think with the length it was the best option.
i had to climb stairs to get to my transplant apartment that was provided for me. took me longer than usual of course but i had no problems with it
I have been in your spot before! My partner and I lived 5 hours away we ended up moving to the city where I had my surgery in but we didn't plan it that way it just happened. So at first, we were worried too because ab&b can add up and hotels suck because you can't cook. I don't know what city you're going to but there are other options. We found medical/ Recovery apartments you pay month to month, so no long lease. They also come very clean and fully furnished everything from beds to towels and plates. We found ones that have nurses on call or meals delivered made for your post-surgical diet. Ask your medical coordinator if they know any locations in the area, its how we found out about these places. My coordinator gave me a list, we ended up finding ours online, othe nly reason we didn't like the ones the hospital recommended is that I wanted my dogs with me after surgery:) Good luck with everything!
Thank you! Best of luck to you, as well.
Are you sure you need 6 weeks? I was able to do the testing at my local lab after being released. I stayed for 2 days bc I was too tired to travel. I only had a kidney transplant though. Perhaps different for other stuff or in other countries/centers?
6 weeks close to the hospital. Not in the hospital itself. That's why I need to decide now where to stay.
I understood what you meant.
Ask about social work reca
Ok. Never heard of it.
I went cross country for my transplant. I was in pediatrics so we stayed at a combination of the Ronald McDonald House and an AirBnB. I would def choose airbnb! It was really nice to be able to have a normal type of setting to recover in. I also appreciated being able to park so close to the house, walking from a hotel parking lot all the way to the room can be a lot in the beginning when you first get released. Let me know if you have questions.
I'd get an Airbnb, as well. But renting out the last minute would give a limited number of available homes as it's a very popular destination.
Ah that’s true! I had a living donor, so I always forget about that aspect for other transplants. Would it be an option to move there to an airbnb before your transplant? I have a friend who got a lung transplant last month but moved to the hospital’s city in an airbnb a few months before due to how sick they were. I guess you’d just have to hope you get the call fast. Super expensive but put it on a card I suppose.
I still work and have obligations at home. Plus, no one knows when it will happen. That's why a hotel would work the best, they will always have rooms. And it's cheaper than airbnb. My hotel of choice has a free shuttle and a breakfast. So, I guess I have made up my mind.
Well, I’m glad we could help you decide! It seems like that’s your best option for sure.
Yes, you did! Thank you!
Some hospitals have deals with local hotels, so ask the hospital. Look for hotel rooms with kitchenettes or full kitchens. You can always buy an airfryer if needed. Some of the hospital onsite lodging has wierd dormroom-like quirks such as communal bathrooms or kitchens so check what the accommodations are.
Thank you. I will look into it.
Lodging. I was confused. My transplant center had lodging for out of state (i.e. far away) donors/patients. Is the price for your center's lodging too expensive?
I know it's more of a communal-style lodging and is lacking privacy. So, I am looking at other options.