Has anybody online stayed at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis? If so, did you have a private room or semi private? I am thinking that they mostly have semi private, and if that is the case, my husband will have to stay at a hotel overnight while I am in the hospital. Just curious. Thanks.

I've never been there, but it is likely (because you're not sick or immune compromised- that I know of) that you will get a semi-private room. Especially during flu season, they save the private rooms for people who need to be isolated or for those who have problems that mean they need to be kept away from germs.

I was terrified to have to share a room, but I can honestly say having a roommate was actually kind of nice. She had the same surgery I did by the same doctor on the same day and it was cool to see how we progressed comparatively. She had her boyfriend there the entire time and asked me if it was okay if he spent the night in the room. I could have cared less if he stayed (he was nice and very respectful of my privacy and even helped me out a couple times with little things that would have been silly to call a nurse about) and some nights the nurses tried to kick him out, other nights they left well enough alone. They did ask if I minded, which I honestly didn't.

Usually though, even if they don't allow your husband to stay with you, he can stay in the family waiting area so if you can't afford a hotel or he wants to stay in the hospital, there are probably options for him.

I just have a lot of anxiety about being in a hospital, and have never stayed without my husband. Of course the only time I have stayed overnight before was when having children, so we had kinda a whole suite to our selves. I talked to the lady at the hospital today and she said that their are private rooms but that most are shared, but I don't think my insurance would cover a private room. It specifically states on the policy shared room. So I guess I will be making some more phone calls tomorrow to figure everything out.

How are you doing today? Sounded like you are home, so I hope being in the comforts of your own home has made things betters. Of course, if your children are around it also makes things difficult. I have 3 young children, so that is the part I am most anxious about. Anyway, hope your doing well, and praying that we will both have speedy recoveries.

Yes, I came home yesterday. Everyone agreed it would be best for me to be out of the hospital. They noticed I wasn't sleeping, pooping, eating much, and my vitals skyrocketed when providers came in the room because I couldn't trust them anymore. I was released and I feel soooo much better.

I have a lot of hospital anxiety too. You can tell them that and they may put you in a private room- but they didn't do it for me regardless of the fact that I could have used some privacy to pump too. They can prescribe you anti-anxiety medications if that will help you while you're there.

As for being away from your children, have them visit you if you can, and if you can't, can you bring a laptop and talk to them via Skype? It's easy to install and use and then you can actually see them. I did a lot of Skyping while I was in the hospital. Even just hearing their voices on the phone is a big help.

Prepare as much as you can for the big day for your children. I made a lot of frozen meals for my baby girl so I knew she would have healthy food and cleaned her room up. I also hung up outfits for her so it would be easy for family to dress her properly. I also wrote out 7 pages of instructions about her schedule and what rules to follow. I was kind of insane, but I knew that even if I was really out of it that they would have all their questions answered by referring to my e-mail :-P

Teller mom,

I had surgery on oct 4th at Barnes Jewish and I had a roommate, my wife stayed at the Parkway hotel whi
ch is right on the campus, so it made it easy for her to go back and forth since it all connected inside. It was also convient when I was released from BJ since they had me stay a couple extra nights in the hotel so they could remove the pain pill, the drain, do blood work, chest X-ray and PT

They have a special rate if you let them know you are having an operation, plus parking is only $5 a day.

Best of luck, I know you are in good hands with Dr Thompson.

PS. I am doing great and my shoulder blade has started to move so I should be able to start strength training in PT soon.

Regis

REGIS

SO how long were u in hospital and how long were u at hotel? What kind of surgery did u have and how was your recovery?


Thanks for the info

I was in BJ for six days and the hotel for three addl nights. I had surgery for VTOS, removed first rib, scalene muscles, vein replacement, all totaled about 8 hours. I don't think you are looking anywhere close to that.

The first couple days were bad but well worth it, Dr Thompson and staff are always there to make sure you are doing ok and progressing.

Just a suggestion take a couple pillows from home to make you more comfortable on the drive home. I only had one and I wish I had another.

Regis

I also stayed at BJ had a semi private room. I had family in st louis so after discharge I stayed with my stepmother. Felt Dr thompson's staff very helpful also. If I had to do it again I'd deal with him again.

How did you guys go about establishing being a patient from long distance?

BJ is the "closest" specialist I've found in the event I need surgery. By close I mean... I live in Alabama and St. Louis is closer than Denver or Baltimore!

I was wondering how it works.. do you fly out for your consult, go home and have to travel back for your surgery date? How much travel time would you both say you put into your entire process?

I am a single mom with very limited funding. I will have to leave my daughter with one of my parents while the other parent travels with me and stays at a hotel. I imagine all of this can add up to a pricey venture.

If I need surgery, though, I want someone who is a specialist and won't disable me for life. Seems a worthy investment, to me!

Hello,

There are a couple options to keep costs down,

Have you considered driving instead of flying, that's what we did.

Instead of a hotel, BJ Lodge may be available for $20 a night, but they don't take reservations. It is explained on BJ website.

I believe you can schedule your first appt and surgery at the same time if you are sure you want surgery.

Watch how much pain meds you purchase, I purchased 30 days, which was too much.

Hope this helps,

Regis