Support person for surgery appointment

Hi @againisay
Your surgery team is there for you to answer questions and help you work through any challenges you run into. Both my husband and I have had surgeries at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and this was our experience.

If it were me I would call your surgery team. Did they provide contact information for you to contact them?

I agree with @jlharsh that you should reach out to the surgical team. Are you concerned that they will still be contagious on Friday?

At a minimum, I would suggest they do an at-home COVID test on Thursday. If they still test positive, then they should not go to the hospital or be around you.

@roch I don't think I'm so concerned about her being contagious. Mostly wanting to be transparent and follow proper protocols.

@againisay It is important to realize that not only you are at risk of complications (surgery weakens your immune system), but there are very vulnerable people in the hospital for whom Covid or other respiratory illness could even be fatal.
Home tests are not reliable. One should simply avoid all contact with sick people or people exposed to something. I only have 55% lung capacity, I live avoiding risky situations. Fortunately, the rule in my family for family gatherings is you stay home if you are sick or have been exposed.

@vic83 agreed. That's why I'm trying to be transparent and get answers.

@againisay PCR tests done in Doctor's office are the gold standard. At home tests less reliable.
I caught Covid four weeks after my first lung cancer surgery and I don't know how because I was very careful. Fortunately, I was recently vaccinated and had a mild case and took anti-viral. I later caught Covid again sitting next to a relative in an outdoor restaurant. They called me several days later to tell me they had tested positive. I had no symptoms but went to my doctor for PCR test and was positive. I had recently had a cardiac stent placed and was on Plavix. So I could not take Paxlovid for Covid and fortunately Mayo gave me recently approved monoclonal treatment. Your ride should have a PCR Covid test done in office of Doctor

I think I have plan b figured out fingers crossed. Thank you for your input and wishing you a smooth path to healing.

@againisay, thank goodness your support person told you so that you could contact your surgical team and make alternate plans if necessary. I hope your recovery is going well.

In any event the support person should wear an N95 mask even if they test negative.

@colleenyoung yes home under a warm quilt and things going well.