Looks like I am not going to have this surgery after all. I am going through the Veterans Administration for my surgery and there is only one hospital that I can get it done at. I am required to bring family or a friend or they will not perform the surgery.

It is 3 1/2 hour drive to the hospital, and I just relocated to this area and have no family and just a few work associates. I don't know any of them well enough that they would drive me down there and stay overnight in the VA facilities.

I have enough resolve to dig into more alternatives because I need this done very badly! But at this point I am totally frustrated!

Ask for an independent advocate?

There must be someone or something you can do. X

I believe with my place you could "rent a nurse" for $250. Might want to check that out. Where is the hospital?

Talk to your surgeon. Is their office the one requiring it or is the hospital? Surely you aren't the first person to have that issue.

Hospitals or surgery centers will NOT release a post op patient without a driver. But you can hire a nurse. I did once. Your surgeon should be able to suggest one.

I'd go for the nurse option in a heartbeat, and charge it to a card if you have to. It's hard enough to get this surgery arranged and qualify, etc, without letting this swamp you out of it. If you're a church-kinda-gal maybe call the local one per your denomination. I work in one, and I have two different women here who (as a side business) help do small jobs and errands for elderly people who would do this in a minute for someone in need. God luck - and don't give up!

You might also be able to hire someone from http://www.care.com for cheaper than hiring a licensed nurse.

Where are you located? I'll go with you if you're within driving distance of Dallas, TX.

Well u say u have a few coworkers that u know, U can always offer payment or cook for a single man for a week or babysit for a single mom for a week...see what u can offer if cash is not an option for u. I don't know u at all but if we were coworkers or even neighbors, I would consider it..

Don't be afraid to ask, u never know. Remember, a closed mouth won't get fed!

Good luck!

Edited April 27, 201412 yr by KeeWee

The va will be able to help you just talk with the social worker. What VA are you going to?

I use VA facilities also. I know when I had an appt with them 5 hrs away (Portland, Or) last summer, they offered a van that takes patients to their appts there everyday of the week. I turned it down. They leave at like 3 am and I'd rather just go myself.

I'm sure most VA facilities provide transportation for u. Call ur local clinic and find out.

Good luck to u!

hospitals won't let you drive yourself after surgery. but if you were to take a taxi to a nearby hotel or motel and spend the night they shouldn't have a problem with that. ask your doctor if he/she would be okay with that. and perhaps there is a train you can ride to and from. there are always ways to get this done. good luck.

Maybe you could contact a local Amvets/VFW/American Legion, etc organization? Most of them have someone to help drive veterans/dependents home from the hospital and medical appts. Best of luck!

Thank you for all your replies they got the wheels turning in my head. You guys are great!!

Thank you for all your replies they got the wheels turning in my head. You guys are great!!

Good luck hun..,