would you use it?

[JasonsMom2007]

My son is going to have surgery on the 21st of may. I was told today that for those who have to commute into the doctors office the Ronald Mcdonald house is available. We would be able to stay there the night before and not have to worry about Sacramento traffic jams. It takes 2 hours to drive there if the roads are clear of traffic and the weather is good. I will not know the time of the surgery until the day before and at that point I cannot arrange the stay. It is very important for us to be at the surgical center on time. And my son cannot eat 8 hours before surgery. Clear fluids are ok until 2 hours before but only in small quantities.
my son will be 5 in June and is being evaluated for autism. He has had a traumatic experience with needles and flips if he sees something even resembling one. Ive been told they usually try to schedule kids early because its easier on them with not being able to eat
Wwyd?

[kyledavidsmom]

Yes I would

[sheri305]

Quoting e-doolittle:

I'd stay. The day will be stressful enough without worrying about traffic.

*Best wishes*

[bmw29]

Absolutely! We stayed in one a long time ago and it was a wonderful place.

[MommyJDTJ]

I think you should use it.

[justahousewife]

I personally would just get up earlier, give myself 45 minute extra and drive the same day.

But that's just me, I didn't have a good experience at the Ronald McDonald house in the past so I just make the extra effort. 

I am speaking from experience as my toddler's surgeon/specialist is a 2hr drive on a good day. I made a daily 150mi round trip drive when she was in NICU for 7wks and every appointment since. 

[CarrieMomto3_2]

Quoting VintageWife:

I would use it.

[mommyofgirl1974]

Yes i think you should use it.Good luck!

[momof3_dll]

Definitely use it, I know many families that have and were very glad they did.  Best of luck to your son :)

[JasonsMom2007]

Can I ask about your experience?

Quoting justahousewife:

I personally would just get up earlier, give myself 45 minute extra and drive the same day.

But that's just me, I didn't have a good experience at the Ronald McDonald house in the past so I just make the extra effort. 

I am speaking from experience as my toddler's surgeon/specialist is a 2hr drive on a good day. I made a daily 150mi round trip drive when she was in NICU for 7wks and every appointment since. 

[justahousewife]

My toddler was born 11wks premature via emergency c-section (10pm). She had to be transferred to a different hospital the following morning at 6am due to some birth defects that needed special attention. Even though I'd had a c-section they let me out of the hospital that same morning so I could drive up to be with her (someone drove me of course since I was on pain killers).

I was told I could go to the Ronald McDonald house which is a 20 minute walk from the hospital. I was in some serious pain due to the c-section and could hardly move. At the Ronald McDonald house I was told I had to do household cleaning, dishes, or the like to "pay" my way. 

I was not physically capable of even bending over and my only priority was to be at the hospital with my newborn and that was suppose to just be a place to sleep. I think it was cruel and unfair to ask someone who'd had major surgery to clean house in order to have a bed to sleep in at night when in a normal case I wouldn't have been let out of the hospital for 2 more days. 

Instead I had to pay someone to drive me for the first week till I could stand being off pain meds long enough 75 miles to the hospital each morning and back again each night.

I know that place helps a lot of people but I've never felt so put out in my life as I did that one night there.

Quoting JasonsMom2007:

Can I ask about your experience?

Quoting justahousewife:

I personally would just get up earlier, give myself 45 minute extra and drive the same day.

But that's just me, I didn't have a good experience at the Ronald McDonald house in the past so I just make the extra effort. 

I am speaking from experience as my toddler's surgeon/specialist is a 2hr drive on a good day. I made a daily 150mi round trip drive when she was in NICU for 7wks and every appointment since.