Hello, I am 4.5 weeks post op for Rectocele repair and in need of some advice. We have just had some bad news from family that about 5.5 hours drive away and we need to get there asap. Only problem is I'm the only one that can drive 😕 Will I be ok to drive that far with breaks as we really need to get there. Xxx
So sorry to hear you've had bad news. It's awful when you are so far away but I just don't think you will safely manage to drive for such a long time in fact it's too early anyway, 6 weeks is usually the time you can consider it. The most important thing is can you safely do an emergency stop? Stamp one foot at a time on a hard surface, if you feel any pain or discomfort you're not healed enough to safely drive. So sorry x
I'm so sorry you've had bad news, especially so soon after your op.
I'm 7 weeks post op, Rectocele, and like you the only driver.
I couldn't do that amount of driving even now, I am so tired after any effort.
I realise you desperately feel you need to go there, but will you be well enough to do anything if you do manage it.
Like Matron said, you are not recovered and healed enough yet, and the longer you are sitting in a car using the pedals and trying to concentrate, whilst probably being upset at the same time, the worse you are going to feel.
Please don't risk your repair, and also your safety if you're not sure you can do it.
We all overcome pain when something that needs us crops up, and then suffer afterwards.
Is there any way you could put it off, or maybe get someone to take you?
What an awful dilemma to be in, I so feel for you.
I haven't commented on this forum for a while even though I do keep an eye on the posts. I agree with Matron and if you live in Australia and you drive and you have an accident and it is shown that you should be driving then the insurance wont pay out. I had a similar issue the BAS like VAT in uk was due and I had to go into work to do it . I was only 4 weeks and also had a rectocelle with a severe perineum repair. I called my specilaist and he asked me how I had been , had I been oustside for walks etc. He asked that I tried the emergency break that Matron mentioned. Then he signed me off with a letter so I could drive but he did say to try and only drive when I had to and listen to my body. If my bottom went numb or I got a severe ache down there I was to rest up big time the next day. My trips were only an hour each way. But my bottom did go numb so I rested up the moment I got home. You could call and ask your specialist or GP.
Lastly I know this is medical or logical I tried to do everything they told me too but at 8 weeks I went back to minding my grandson and he fell and I had to catch him. It was instinctive and even if it wasn't I would have still elected to stop him hurting himself. Point I am trying to make is . if it is important and you feel you have no other choice and you are insured then maybe you should just listen to your body and rest up. Isn't there someone who could share the driving with you or drive under your supervsion. Good luck
Sorry for your bad news but matron knows best could you get there by train. Xxx
Insurance is a very good point tilley because in the UK some insurance companies say 6 weeks others say when your consultant says it's ok. It's lovely to hear from you again, I was wondering how you were.
Hi Tilley,
How as you doing? Hope you are well and continuing to make goog progress!
Phyl x☺
Hi Mrsg85
It’s an awful dilemma for you, but you must explain to family that you cannot drive because of your operation. If you feel they won’t understand or you don’t want to elaborate then you could blame medication. Like tilley says you would probably not be insured (all insurers look for ways of not paying out in the event of an accident) but more importantly it is not safe for you and your body (let alone other road users, what if you needed to perform an emergency stop and killed a child – you would never forgive yourself I am sure).
You are between a rock and a hard place and we all feel for you, but to support your surgery and your body you must not feel guilty but be firm. Your health must come first. Stay strong S
Sorry for late reply I haven't been receiving notifications 😕 We've decided that I'm to stay at home with our boys and my husband has gone up by train as its his family with the bad news...... Hopefully they'll understand.
So as my husband as gone away I need to start doing the school run. It is only about a 10 min walk is this ok? Xx