You, the spouse, are part of a team and the most important person in the patient’s recovery. The more you learn, the more confident you can be that you will cope.

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Getting all the info you need
While your partner is still in hospital, you should gather all possible information:

• Talk to the medical staff about your concerns and your partner’s uncertainties.
• Don’t be afraid to ask. The medical team is usually quite helpful.
• Write all thoughts and questions down as you think of them.
• Be prepared when you get a chance to speak to medical staff. Make a list of questions, with the most important ones first.
• Get into the habit of asking questions.
• If you don’t get a chance to speak to the doctor, make an appointment.
• Ask a friend or other family member to join the talk with the doctor. This way, you won’t miss important information.
• Write the doctor’s answers down or record the information on a cassette recorder.
• Ask the medical staff for pamphlets, titles of other reliable publications or the address of a reputable website, for more information.

Source:
The Heart Foundation of South Africa.

- (Updated May 2008)
 

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