Re: Back from Lexington SC

[Guest guest]

Sherry:

Isn't that Polarcare thing neat! It really kept the pain and swelling

to a minimum.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> Hi Dr. Gross fans,

> Just got back yesterday from surgery on 5-19. Got great care from

> all the hospital staff as well as Dr. Gross and Lee. They really do

> go out of their way to help. I mean, Lee even drove me personally to

> the hospital for the lab work, since I didn't have a car. I suppose

> they could have called me a cab, but she made arrangements to drive

> me. Wow! The Hampton provided Shuttle service to the Doctor's

> office and to the hospital the next day - free! I wish I could have

> gone out to dinner Sat. as planned with my girlfriend who flew in to

> help me get through the airports and back home. As it turned out, I

> developed some kind of cellulitis rash around the upper thigh, kind

> of near the incision site, and Dr. Redmond (who was on call and very

> nice) thought I should stay over til Sunday when Dr. Gross could

> check it. In the mean time, I got some oral antibiotic specific to

> skin infections. Well the rash was still there at 8:00AM, but when

> Dr. Gross saw me at 10:00 it had TOTALLY disappeared!! Go figure.

> Praise the Lord I was released to catch out flight back home. I have

> learned that it is a good idea to alert the security officers BEFORE

> I walk though the metal detector, otherwise, EVERYBODY PANICS! My

> friend Carol and I were a comical site struggling through the airport

> with the luggage, x-rays, ice machine and wheelchair!! How about

> that continuous flow ice pad that actually stayed in place??? Isn't

> that the greatest invention? I am sure I didn't need Vicadin because

> of the ice therapy. All in all, it has been a neat little adventure

> and so far am having a very positive result.

> Regards to all of Dr. Gross' hippies. I passed on your hello's - he

> smiled.

> Sherry

[Guest guest]

Sherry:

I am glad to hear that the hard part of the journey is done and that

you are well on your way to recovery. As it's almost my turn with

Dr. Gross (6/23), I am writing to see if you could suggest a place

to stay? Any last minute bits of advice?

Thanks,

Jim

[Guest guest]

Jim:

After my experience in March, I have been recommending the Hampton Inn

that is just on the other side of the interstate from Lexington

Medical Center. We initially went to the Holiday Inn that Lee had

recommended (it is one exit down) but we didn't like it. We found the

Hampton when we went to see exactly where the hospital was - we liked

it so we moved.

Let me know if you need specific contact information for the Hampton -

I'd be happy to post it.

Somebody a while back mentioned ear plugs - while you don't have to

worry about noise from outside (a la JRI-OH) I would have liked to

have had ear plugs because I am a very light sleeper and some of the

equipment in the room (various pumps) made noise. Also, I brought a

walkman and some CD's - that made for a pleasant way to relax.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> Sherry:

>

> I am glad to hear that the hard part of the journey is done and that

> you are well on your way to recovery. As it's almost my turn with

> Dr. Gross (6/23), I am writing to see if you could suggest a place

> to stay? Any last minute bits of advice?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Jim

[Guest guest]

:

Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact info

for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital or

will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

night?

Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the surgery

or are you out cold for the duration?

Thanks again,

Jim

[Guest guest]

:

Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact info

for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital or

will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

night?

Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the surgery

or are you out cold for the duration?

Thanks again,

Jim

[Guest guest]

:

Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact info

for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital or

will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

night?

Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the surgery

or are you out cold for the duration?

Thanks again,

Jim

[Guest guest]

Jim:

Here's the info on the Hampton Inn:

Hampton Inn Columbia-I-26 Airport Area

1094 Drive

West Columbia, South Carolina, US, 29169

1-

Be sure to tell them you are a patient at Lexington Medical Center and

they will give you a good rate.

My surgery was Wednesday. My wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn

Monday night (we drove down from Virginia). Tuesday we moved to the

Hampton Inn. Tuesday afternoon I had my meeting with Dr. Gross and

Lee Webb. From his office I went (two blocks) to the hospital to

finish the admission paperwork there. Wednesday morning we got up

fairly early and got over to the hospital at about 8:30 - I was Dr.

Gross's second surgery of the day. Surgery started around 10 AM and I

was up in my room by noon. I was released early Saturday morning and

my wife drove me home - about an 8 hour drive. They would have

released me Friday evening but we didn't want to drive at night and I

preferred to stay in the hospital rather than trying to stay in a

hotel room.

I had the epidural with sedation. I don't remember anything at all

from the surgery. They were getting me into position on the table and

the next thing I recall was being wheeled down the hall to my room.

The epidural had me completely numb from the waist down. Some people

have said it just kills the pain - I couldn't move my legs or toes

until they started cutting back on the epidural. When they took it

out on Thursday, all the feeling came back in about 4 hours.

I was probably more nervous about the catheter than the epidural but I

really didn't feel anything when they put it in. When the nurse took

it out, it didn't hurt but it was a very strange sensation! It was

certainly more convenient than trying to get up and go to the bathroom

or use the bottle.

So far everything is going well. Surgery was two months ago

yesterday. I've been back at work for two weeks - this is my third

week. No problem getting around - I'm using public transportation and

walking over 2 miles each day. I just rejoined the gym here at work

because Dr. Gross said it was OK to start working out again.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Best of luck to you!

Be sure to say hello to Dr. Gross and Lee Webb for me when you see them.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> :

>

> Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact info

> for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

> Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital or

> will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

> night?

>

> Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

> can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

> they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the surgery

> or are you out cold for the duration?

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Jim

[Guest guest]

Jim:

Here's the info on the Hampton Inn:

Hampton Inn Columbia-I-26 Airport Area

1094 Drive

West Columbia, South Carolina, US, 29169

1-

Be sure to tell them you are a patient at Lexington Medical Center and

they will give you a good rate.

My surgery was Wednesday. My wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn

Monday night (we drove down from Virginia). Tuesday we moved to the

Hampton Inn. Tuesday afternoon I had my meeting with Dr. Gross and

Lee Webb. From his office I went (two blocks) to the hospital to

finish the admission paperwork there. Wednesday morning we got up

fairly early and got over to the hospital at about 8:30 - I was Dr.

Gross's second surgery of the day. Surgery started around 10 AM and I

was up in my room by noon. I was released early Saturday morning and

my wife drove me home - about an 8 hour drive. They would have

released me Friday evening but we didn't want to drive at night and I

preferred to stay in the hospital rather than trying to stay in a

hotel room.

I had the epidural with sedation. I don't remember anything at all

from the surgery. They were getting me into position on the table and

the next thing I recall was being wheeled down the hall to my room.

The epidural had me completely numb from the waist down. Some people

have said it just kills the pain - I couldn't move my legs or toes

until they started cutting back on the epidural. When they took it

out on Thursday, all the feeling came back in about 4 hours.

I was probably more nervous about the catheter than the epidural but I

really didn't feel anything when they put it in. When the nurse took

it out, it didn't hurt but it was a very strange sensation! It was

certainly more convenient than trying to get up and go to the bathroom

or use the bottle.

So far everything is going well. Surgery was two months ago

yesterday. I've been back at work for two weeks - this is my third

week. No problem getting around - I'm using public transportation and

walking over 2 miles each day. I just rejoined the gym here at work

because Dr. Gross said it was OK to start working out again.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Best of luck to you!

Be sure to say hello to Dr. Gross and Lee Webb for me when you see them.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> :

>

> Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact info

> for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

> Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital or

> will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

> night?

>

> Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

> can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

> they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the surgery

> or are you out cold for the duration?

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Jim

[Guest guest]

Jim:

Here's the info on the Hampton Inn:

Hampton Inn Columbia-I-26 Airport Area

1094 Drive

West Columbia, South Carolina, US, 29169

1-

Be sure to tell them you are a patient at Lexington Medical Center and

they will give you a good rate.

My surgery was Wednesday. My wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn

Monday night (we drove down from Virginia). Tuesday we moved to the

Hampton Inn. Tuesday afternoon I had my meeting with Dr. Gross and

Lee Webb. From his office I went (two blocks) to the hospital to

finish the admission paperwork there. Wednesday morning we got up

fairly early and got over to the hospital at about 8:30 - I was Dr.

Gross's second surgery of the day. Surgery started around 10 AM and I

was up in my room by noon. I was released early Saturday morning and

my wife drove me home - about an 8 hour drive. They would have

released me Friday evening but we didn't want to drive at night and I

preferred to stay in the hospital rather than trying to stay in a

hotel room.

I had the epidural with sedation. I don't remember anything at all

from the surgery. They were getting me into position on the table and

the next thing I recall was being wheeled down the hall to my room.

The epidural had me completely numb from the waist down. Some people

have said it just kills the pain - I couldn't move my legs or toes

until they started cutting back on the epidural. When they took it

out on Thursday, all the feeling came back in about 4 hours.

I was probably more nervous about the catheter than the epidural but I

really didn't feel anything when they put it in. When the nurse took

it out, it didn't hurt but it was a very strange sensation! It was

certainly more convenient than trying to get up and go to the bathroom

or use the bottle.

So far everything is going well. Surgery was two months ago

yesterday. I've been back at work for two weeks - this is my third

week. No problem getting around - I'm using public transportation and

walking over 2 miles each day. I just rejoined the gym here at work

because Dr. Gross said it was OK to start working out again.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Best of luck to you!

Be sure to say hello to Dr. Gross and Lee Webb for me when you see them.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> :

>

> Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact info

> for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

> Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital or

> will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

> night?

>

> Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

> can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

> they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the surgery

> or are you out cold for the duration?

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Jim

[Guest guest]

> Sherry:

>

> I am glad to hear that the hard part of the journey is done and

that

> you are well on your way to recovery. As it's almost my turn with

> Dr. Gross (6/23), I am writing to see if you could suggest a place

> to stay? Any last minute bits of advice?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Jim

Hi Jim,

On 's advice, I too stayed at the Hamptom and used their free

shuttle service from the airport. They were also kind enough to

drive me to Dr. Gross' office and to the hospital the next morning.

The room was very nice.

I am a light sleeper too, and brought earplugs. Very handy as the IV

pump makes a little noise, as did the icepad motor, and although you

are in a private room (all of them are private!) there is always some

noise in the hall.

This being my 3rd hip surgery after 2 on the L, and having nursing

background, I can only marvel at the pre and post-op care plan of

this doctor and the wonderful caregivers along the way! Each treated

me with that personal touch. I just praise God for seeing me through

this in such a wonderful way. God truly saw that every need was met

and gave me great peace throughout, though I was a bit anxious right

before. Pain control was outstanding - after the IV was started, I

sat up for them to start the epidural and the next thing I knew, I

was in recovery room. My anesthesiologist, Dave, was a wonder. The

ice pad reduced the need for pain meds (I only took Vicadin at night

to help get comfortable enough to sleep - didn't need it during the

day), though the nurses and tech's seemed to have trouble keeping the

ice water flowing through the pad. This nifty item cost about $2600

so I wasn't going to leave it behind. After using it here at home we

have discovered that if there is too much ice and not enough water,

the unit doesn't work as all the ice clumps together. It is best to

have a 50/50 mixture. You might want to recommend that to the staff

if you find yours isn't working 3 minutes after they leave the room.

The greatest joy is seeing progress every day. You will be in VERY

good hands. The hardest part for you will be waiting til 6/23.

Best wishes,

Sherry

[Guest guest]

> Sherry:

>

> I am glad to hear that the hard part of the journey is done and

that

> you are well on your way to recovery. As it's almost my turn with

> Dr. Gross (6/23), I am writing to see if you could suggest a place

> to stay? Any last minute bits of advice?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Jim

Hi Jim,

On 's advice, I too stayed at the Hamptom and used their free

shuttle service from the airport. They were also kind enough to

drive me to Dr. Gross' office and to the hospital the next morning.

The room was very nice.

I am a light sleeper too, and brought earplugs. Very handy as the IV

pump makes a little noise, as did the icepad motor, and although you

are in a private room (all of them are private!) there is always some

noise in the hall.

This being my 3rd hip surgery after 2 on the L, and having nursing

background, I can only marvel at the pre and post-op care plan of

this doctor and the wonderful caregivers along the way! Each treated

me with that personal touch. I just praise God for seeing me through

this in such a wonderful way. God truly saw that every need was met

and gave me great peace throughout, though I was a bit anxious right

before. Pain control was outstanding - after the IV was started, I

sat up for them to start the epidural and the next thing I knew, I

was in recovery room. My anesthesiologist, Dave, was a wonder. The

ice pad reduced the need for pain meds (I only took Vicadin at night

to help get comfortable enough to sleep - didn't need it during the

day), though the nurses and tech's seemed to have trouble keeping the

ice water flowing through the pad. This nifty item cost about $2600

so I wasn't going to leave it behind. After using it here at home we

have discovered that if there is too much ice and not enough water,

the unit doesn't work as all the ice clumps together. It is best to

have a 50/50 mixture. You might want to recommend that to the staff

if you find yours isn't working 3 minutes after they leave the room.

The greatest joy is seeing progress every day. You will be in VERY

good hands. The hardest part for you will be waiting til 6/23.

Best wishes,

Sherry

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Congratulations on the 2 month anniversary! It's good to hear you

post your progress along the way.

In surfacehippy , " ecm56 " wrote:

> Jim:

>

> Here's the info on the Hampton Inn:

>

> Hampton Inn Columbia-I-26 Airport Area

> 1094 Drive

> West Columbia, South Carolina, US, 29169

> 1-

>

> Be sure to tell them you are a patient at Lexington Medical Center

and

> they will give you a good rate.

>

> My surgery was Wednesday. My wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn

> Monday night (we drove down from Virginia). Tuesday we moved to the

> Hampton Inn. Tuesday afternoon I had my meeting with Dr. Gross and

> Lee Webb. From his office I went (two blocks) to the hospital to

> finish the admission paperwork there. Wednesday morning we got up

> fairly early and got over to the hospital at about 8:30 - I was Dr.

> Gross's second surgery of the day. Surgery started around 10 AM

and I

> was up in my room by noon. I was released early Saturday morning

and

> my wife drove me home - about an 8 hour drive. They would have

> released me Friday evening but we didn't want to drive at night and

I

> preferred to stay in the hospital rather than trying to stay in a

> hotel room.

>

> I had the epidural with sedation. I don't remember anything at all

> from the surgery. They were getting me into position on the table

and

> the next thing I recall was being wheeled down the hall to my room.

>

> The epidural had me completely numb from the waist down. Some

people

> have said it just kills the pain - I couldn't move my legs or toes

> until they started cutting back on the epidural. When they took it

> out on Thursday, all the feeling came back in about 4 hours.

>

> I was probably more nervous about the catheter than the epidural

but I

> really didn't feel anything when they put it in. When the nurse

took

> it out, it didn't hurt but it was a very strange sensation! It was

> certainly more convenient than trying to get up and go to the

bathroom

> or use the bottle.

>

> So far everything is going well. Surgery was two months ago

> yesterday. I've been back at work for two weeks - this is my third

> week. No problem getting around - I'm using public transportation

and

> walking over 2 miles each day. I just rejoined the gym here at work

> because Dr. Gross said it was OK to start working out again.

>

> Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Best of luck to

you!

>

> Be sure to say hello to Dr. Gross and Lee Webb for me when you see

them.

>

>

> RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

>

>

> > :

> >

> > Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact

info

> > for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

> > Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital

or

> > will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

> > night?

> >

> > Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

> > can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

> > they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the

surgery

> > or are you out cold for the duration?

> >

> > Thanks again,

> >

> > Jim

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Congratulations on the 2 month anniversary! It's good to hear you

post your progress along the way.

In surfacehippy , " ecm56 " wrote:

> Jim:

>

> Here's the info on the Hampton Inn:

>

> Hampton Inn Columbia-I-26 Airport Area

> 1094 Drive

> West Columbia, South Carolina, US, 29169

> 1-

>

> Be sure to tell them you are a patient at Lexington Medical Center

and

> they will give you a good rate.

>

> My surgery was Wednesday. My wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn

> Monday night (we drove down from Virginia). Tuesday we moved to the

> Hampton Inn. Tuesday afternoon I had my meeting with Dr. Gross and

> Lee Webb. From his office I went (two blocks) to the hospital to

> finish the admission paperwork there. Wednesday morning we got up

> fairly early and got over to the hospital at about 8:30 - I was Dr.

> Gross's second surgery of the day. Surgery started around 10 AM

and I

> was up in my room by noon. I was released early Saturday morning

and

> my wife drove me home - about an 8 hour drive. They would have

> released me Friday evening but we didn't want to drive at night and

I

> preferred to stay in the hospital rather than trying to stay in a

> hotel room.

>

> I had the epidural with sedation. I don't remember anything at all

> from the surgery. They were getting me into position on the table

and

> the next thing I recall was being wheeled down the hall to my room.

>

> The epidural had me completely numb from the waist down. Some

people

> have said it just kills the pain - I couldn't move my legs or toes

> until they started cutting back on the epidural. When they took it

> out on Thursday, all the feeling came back in about 4 hours.

>

> I was probably more nervous about the catheter than the epidural

but I

> really didn't feel anything when they put it in. When the nurse

took

> it out, it didn't hurt but it was a very strange sensation! It was

> certainly more convenient than trying to get up and go to the

bathroom

> or use the bottle.

>

> So far everything is going well. Surgery was two months ago

> yesterday. I've been back at work for two weeks - this is my third

> week. No problem getting around - I'm using public transportation

and

> walking over 2 miles each day. I just rejoined the gym here at work

> because Dr. Gross said it was OK to start working out again.

>

> Let me know if I can answer any other questions. Best of luck to

you!

>

> Be sure to say hello to Dr. Gross and Lee Webb for me when you see

them.

>

>

> RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

>

>

> > :

> >

> > Thanks for the recommendation. I would appreciate the contact

info

> > for the Hampton. I am flying from Boston (on a Tuesday, surgery

> > Wednesday). Can I expect to spend the entire time in the hospital

or

> > will I be able to head back to the hotel for the last (Saturday)

> > night?

> >

> > Did you have an epidural with sedation or general? If the former,

> > can you describe the experience? Are you totally paralyzed or do

> > they just deaden the pain? Do you remember anything from the

surgery

> > or are you out cold for the duration?

> >

> > Thanks again,

> >

> > Jim

[Guest guest]

Well, since we didn't have any option but to buy it - I can imagine

there's a pretty good secondary market on e-Bay. I checked the

detailed hospital bill and they only charged us a little over US$500

for the Polarcare . . . worth every cent.

RC2K Dr. Gross 3/24/04

> -the

> > ice water flowing through the pad. This nifty item cost about $2600

> > so I wasn't going to leave it behind.

>

> I suppose this wouldn't be a good time to mention that I bought one of

> these used on Ebay for about $20. ;-)

>

> Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> -the

> > ice water flowing through the pad. This nifty item cost about

$2600

> > so I wasn't going to leave it behind.

>

> I suppose this wouldn't be a good time to mention that I bought one

of

> these used on Ebay for about $20. ;-)

>

> Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

Brag, brag, brag!!! I hope to get a second life out of it through my

son who is 18 and is a pretty good pitcher. As the unit was

originally designed for the shoulder it accomodate that pitching just

fine.

[Guest guest]

> -the

> > ice water flowing through the pad. This nifty item cost about

$2600

> > so I wasn't going to leave it behind.

>

> I suppose this wouldn't be a good time to mention that I bought one

of

> these used on Ebay for about $20. ;-)

>

> Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

Brag, brag, brag!!! I hope to get a second life out of it through my

son who is 18 and is a pretty good pitcher. As the unit was

originally designed for the shoulder it accomodate that pitching just

fine.