If a friend or family member will be undergoing spine surgery in the near future, odds are you want to help them any way you can. However, most people only focus on what they can do to help a person once the surgery is complete. And while this makes sense when you consider that they’ll be dealing with the most discomfort in the first few days following the procedure, you can also help your friend by assisting them prior to the procedure.
So instead of being the fifteenth person to swing by and drop off a casserole after a spinal procedure, consider lending a hand in other ways prior to the procedure. Below, we take a look at how you can help a friend or family member prior to their spine surgery.
Helping Someone Before Back Surgery
Here are some of the things you can offer to do for a friend or family member who is scheduled to undergo a spinal procedure in the near future:
- Rides To Appointments/Surgery – If back pain is making them miserable, driving a car can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. Offer to drive them to any pre-op consultations, and see if they need a ride on the day of surgery. Odds are they won’t be cleared to drive following surgery, so a ride would be much appreciated, and you can plan this well before the day of their procedure.
- Run Errands – Run some errands for them if back pain is making them less mobile. If they need help picking up their kids from school, getting to the grocery store or grabbing some things from Target, offer to help them out.
- Pet Sit – Your friend may also need some help with their dog, cat or other animal, so offer to lend a hand by offering to watch their pet while they are at the surgery center. This is especially helpful if they will be spending the night at the surgical facility. You can also offer to walk their dog or help get their pet some exercise if they will be unable to be active before or after the operation.
- Listen – Sometimes all your friend needs is someone to talk to in the days leading up to their operation. If they are nervous or anxious about their upcoming operation, sometimes talking about the procedure can help to put them at ease. When talking with someone about their procedure, focus on all the positives that will happen if everything goes as planned instead of focusing on what might happen on the rare chance that something goes wrong.
- Be An Extra Set Of Ears – Finally, there can be a lot of information to take in during pre-op consultations, so oftentimes it’s helpful to have someone else in the room to make sure all instructions are understood and no questions go unanswered. Offer to attend pre-op appointments and take notes or simply be a second set of ears. You can also write down key information so that the patient can focus solely on being present with the doctor during this consultation.
Remember, you don’t have to wait until your friend has undergone their spinal operation to be helpful. Reach out well in advance of their surgery and see if there’s anything you can do to make life a little easier. For more information, or to connect with a spine specialist who can ensure you get the best care for your spinal issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his team today at (651) 430-3800.
