...An adult friend of my daughter had a large growing cyst or ? removed from kidney last week and spent one night in hospital; she also lives alone with a dog to take care of. She was under/given the impression the surgery was relatively straight forward etc... she is 64 and not in best of health. Gradually every day the pain got worse once home and after a few days suffering she too did not get a call back from surgeons office and although usually strong when comes to ill health, the pain was so bad she went to emerge at local hospital; after five hours she rang the buzzer as was crying in pain; the nurse or ? said to her.. what do you want to do about it, leave? so she said yes and did. At home she took stronger or more pain meds and it eased up a bit; since then went back to surgeon and had some kind of tube removed and still not feeling well.
Sorry I cannot help you, but just wanted to say that with the crisis in health care here in Canada and other countries, time no longer seems available to thoroughly explain the pros and cons of surgery and in particular what to do if in a lot of pain once home... who to call, ie. what to expect once get home ESPECIALLY if living alone.
I feel for those in medical profession lets hope though that the backlog re covid etc. will soon be caught up and as well as receiving surgery etc. that more help, even verbal, will be available for patients with post surgery issues.... and possibly a bit more compassion especially for elderly and living alone trying to cope..... J. p.s. I have fecal incontinence, ibs D, etc. and know how very painful it can be, let alone just having surgery!! Surely time can be found to return a phone call...stay after office hours if you have to - dont take your coffee break... someone is suffering waiting for your call!!! please!