A few suggestions for easing the process following your surgery:
a. Friends want to be helpful and their actions can best be appreciated if you are
DIRECT about your needs. Ask one friend to serve as the
coordinator of the team of friends and give her/him the list of chores that need to be
addressed. You no longer have the burden of asking for help and it's a win/win
situation for all, you get what you need and the other person feels that they've done
something meaningful. The assignments can include delivering prepared meals to your
home, a manicure, transporting you to follow-up appointments, laundry,childcare, food
shopping,car pooling, or any type of errand.
b. Answering the phone calls/e-mails that are inquiring about you and your recovery can
be exhausting for you and/or your significant other. Either prepare a message on your
voice mail that shares an update of your recovery, indicating that you appreciate
their concern and that you will not be returning calls at this time - or - have
someone send updated e-mails to specific friends as a group e-mail.