Re: 35 Hours To Go & Random Questions (was: Is this normal?)

[Guest guest]

I was given a walker, a bedside commode, sock helper, grabber for dressing, and a long handled shower sponge.

Peggy

[ ] 35 Hours To Go & Random Questions (was: Is this normal?)

I do already have anti-anxiety medication that was prescribed to me by another physician, since I experience panic attacks and other episodes of generalized anxiety, and I have been taking them (lorazepam [ativan]) for well over a year now. It helps some, but I do wish I could tame the crying fits more. It has been very, very hard.There are now less than 48 hours to be until my first surgery. I spent a fun afternoon with my daughter and husband at the children's museum. I've also been assembling a box full of stuff for my daughter and I do together during my recovery (books, coloring, play dough, simple toys, DVDs, etc.). She's going to go stay with her grandmother (my mother-in-law) starting tomorrow night, going through the days I will actually be in surgery, and she'll be coming home the day after my second surgery. That will take some of the pressure off my husband, and also make it so he can be at the hospital with me, and I selfishly don't want to be there alone on the days I'm having surgery.After returning home from the hospital (assuming you didn't go to rehab first), for how long after did you find you needed someone at home with you? I don't think I asked this before, and I apologize if I did. I'm quite disorganized right now. We're trying to figure out how best to use my husband's paid time off, and let other family members know when we might need some help.Were any of you given a walker or cane to use post-surgery, either short term or long term? I really wanted to bring my daughter to the museum today, and knew that I haven't been able to stand for long without my pain level going through the roof. So I went out and got myself a cheap cane yesterday, to help steady myself (my legs have been weak) and also use it to help hold myself up while I'm standing around. It definitely helped me. I guess I'm just wondering whether or not it would be helpful post-surgery. It's no big deal if it isn't, because I only spent $20 on it, but it obviously would be better if it would.I'm trying to decide what to pack for the hospital, and have looked through the information in the files section. I'm not going to pack much for myself personally when I show up for my first surgery. I will have a second bag that my husband will have that he can bring in for me at a later point when/if I need it. Did any of you bring something for "entertainment," and actually end up using it? I'm talking about things such as books, magazines, knitting, computer, etc.).Sorry for rambling yet again. It's been so helpful to have someome (and in this case, several someones) to talk to about these things.Best wishes,

On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM, cammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote:

,I think the better question would be....would it be normal NOT to freak out a bit prior to a huge surgery? It is a big challenge ahead for you and there will undoubtedly be moments where you question your decision, but if you can find that small quiet center of yourself and calmly go through your decision process I think you will find that will help you take the necessary deep breaths.Please know that there have been any number of patients who have asked their doctors for anti-anxiety meds in the period closely preceding surgery...so if you feel that would still be helpful I am sure you can contact DrGlazers office or your PCP....even today.As freaky as these days are, my guess is you will find peace in the hours before surgery. I will be wishing that for you.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

,

Dont beat yourself up about being emotional. Hell...its an emotional time! I

remember coming home from the hospital and sobbing at every thing....the

silliest Hallmark commercial could really set me off.

Its nice that you had a good day with your daughter. I dont know if the fears

you have about surgical risks and being a parent are coming in to play....for me

they were. My son was only 7 and my worst fears were around the idea that I

could pass away as a result of the surgery somehow. My logical mind told me it

was unlikely....but stuff happens....and it ate at me. I finally decided that

the best thing I could do was write an " emergency letter " . If the worst happened

then my husband could have something to give him at the appropriate time so that

he would know how I was feeling at the time, as well as how much I loved him. It

was hard to do, but I felt great relief after it was done. Maybe just giving

voice to that fear was the answer, but either way I did feel very calm in the

days up to surgery after I had written it.

It sounds like a great plan you have set up for your daughter, and you are not

being selfish wanting your husband at the hospital! You really need and deserve

someone there to help or advocate in the hospital.

As to time needing help after coming home....my husband got approved for 3

months of FMLA. Honestly I could have managed our life, child care, cooking &

shopping after about 2 months....it wouldnt have been pretty, but no one would

have felt we were neglecting our child. But my child was in school most of the

day and had friends who had him over and other activities scheduled....so I

could do what I needed to do. I think that I really liked and generally needed

someone home during the first 7 - 10 days for most things related to me. Once

the incisions were healed and I could shower I could get myself to the shower

and bath fine, and I could have made my meals. But in between all of that I

would sleep...and you will too ...so be sure that you have someone covering your

childcare needs if your husband is back at work. You can always cancel if things

go better than expected.

I was sent home with a brace and a cane. I had a walker at the hospital but in

the end at discharge I was to use the cane for balance, especially getting up in

the night in the first month. I think I only used it for a couple weeks. (I did

not go to rehab).

I think you are wise to pack very little for the hospital. My personal favorites

were nice PJs and robe and those Oil of Olay facial clothes. I also liked having

those paper finger toothbrushs. That way I could just refresh myself a couple

times a day and feel a little more human. I didnt need any entertainment. I

couldnt focus. The only thing I would recommend is having a cell phone to talk

to folks without having to roll over to reach the room phone

Will someone be posting to us after your surgery?

Take a deep relaxing breath. It will be fine.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

,

 

Having the cane is a good thing, but early on most use a walker for awhile, and I was given that as part of a package of things bestowed upon me by the PT people. I had a cane, a walker, sock aid, dressing stick, a grabber, a shower seat. Hubby had to pick up a toilet seat extender, the kind we got back then( mind you my revisions were in 2000-2002) it was necessary to remove the regular toilet seat to install it. So with all the STUFF, it made for quite a lot to take home at the end of my hospital stay, if you count flowers, and cards, and various other stuff. My suggestion is have the hubby take home as much as he can prior to your release, so it doesn't make for several trips for him to the car, while he's trying to manage you at release time. Even if you are a short distance from the hospital( I was a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic in Denver), the ride home, and managing stuff, can be exhausting for you and him. Might also see if the day prior to release they can give you your prescriptions for your meds, so he can pick them up and have them waiting for you. My hubby spent a bunch of time getting meds the day of my release( one med he had to go to three pharmacies to finally obtain), and just compounded to what was a very long day for him.

 

Having your mother in law have your daughter will be a blessing for both of you to know she's well taken care of, and he won't have deal with both of you at the same time. Grandmothers are a wonderful help!

 

We chose to have my husbands time off be when I was home from the hospital. He was there the day of surgery, but then, back at work, till I was released. My oldest daughter then was driving, so she and a buddy would come up and see me, and he did as he could, since we lived in another state than family, and we had two other children to deal with , elementary age, and one in middle school. It was hard, for all concerned, and thank goodness our church stepped in and brought dinner for nearly a month, it helped sooooo much. My best answer is, have somebody with you the first at the very least two weeks, longer if you will need to deal with your daughter's care. Once you can shower alone, make simple meals, you can handle it. Your incision to is an issue, once staples are out, and once it's closed properly, and there isn't an issue of having someone change bandages after showering( we had to tape saran wrap over it in the early days, I got to shower daily while in the hospital, most don't, and don't get to until their incision looks good and staples are removed).

 

Personally I couldn't focus to read at all. The TV was on if I was awake, as more of a companion than me actually watching something. During the day, you will have a lot to do, PT, OT, they take your blood often, I had respatory in three time a day for breathing treatments, and among that visitors, and plain sleeping. A lot of it will be a blur of meds, and dealing with post surgical stuff. All this time away from it, I remember bits and pieces, and I think thats the way it is for most.

 

You will be okay, you have a great amount of family support, YEAH, a good doctor, and a positive attitude, all the key factors to do well. Believe me it goes fast.

 

Hugs!

 

Colorado Springs

 

 

On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 7:17 PM, Curran <melissacurran530@...> wrote:

 

I do already have anti-anxiety medication that was prescribed to me by another physician, since I experience panic attacks and other episodes of generalized anxiety, and I have been taking them (lorazepam [ativan]) for well over a year now. It helps some, but I do wish I could tame the crying fits more. It has been very, very hard.

There are now less than 48 hours to be until my first surgery. I spent a fun afternoon with my daughter and husband at the children's museum. I've also been assembling a box full of stuff for my daughter and I do together during my recovery (books, coloring, play dough, simple toys, DVDs, etc.). She's going to go stay with her grandmother (my mother-in-law) starting tomorrow night, going through the days I will actually be in surgery, and she'll be coming home the day after my second surgery. That will take some of the pressure off my husband, and also make it so he can be at the hospital with me, and I selfishly don't want to be there alone on the days I'm having surgery.

After returning home from the hospital (assuming you didn't go to rehab first), for how long after did you find you needed someone at home with you? I don't think I asked this before, and I apologize if I did. I'm quite disorganized right now. We're trying to figure out how best to use my husband's paid time off, and let other family members know when we might need some help.

Were any of you given a walker or cane to use post-surgery, either short term or long term? I really wanted to bring my daughter to the museum today, and knew that I haven't been able to stand for long without my pain level going through the roof. So I went out and got myself a cheap cane yesterday, to help steady myself (my legs have been weak) and also use it to help hold myself up while I'm standing around. It definitely helped me. I guess I'm just wondering whether or not it would be helpful post-surgery. It's no big deal if it isn't, because I only spent $20 on it, but it obviously would be better if it would.

I'm trying to decide what to pack for the hospital, and have looked through the information in the files section. I'm not going to pack much for myself personally when I show up for my first surgery. I will have a second bag that my husband will have that he can bring in for me at a later point when/if I need it. Did any of you bring something for " entertainment, " and actually end up using it? I'm talking about things such as books, magazines, knitting, computer, etc.).

Sorry for rambling yet again. It's been so helpful to have someome (and in this case, several someones) to talk to about these things.Best wishes,

On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM, cammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote:

 

,I think the better question would be....would it be normal NOT to freak out a bit prior to a huge surgery? It is a big challenge ahead for you and there will undoubtedly be moments where you question your decision, but if you can find that small quiet center of yourself and calmly go through your decision process I think you will find that will help you take the necessary deep breaths.

Please know that there have been any number of patients who have asked their doctors for anti-anxiety meds in the period closely preceding surgery...so if you feel that would still be helpful I am sure you can contact DrGlazers office or your PCP....even today.

As freaky as these days are, my guess is you will find peace in the hours before surgery. I will be wishing that for you.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

,While I was high on oxy, I wrote a Tips for the hospital PDF: /files/Hospital%20Info/It was supposed to be light and funny, but had some advise you might be able to use. I thought it was hilarious while on pain killers....It's in the Files section >Hospital Info > Dyann's Tips.-Dyann

,

I think the better question would be....would it be normal NOT to freak out a bit prior to a huge surgery? It is a big challenge ahead for you and there will undoubtedly be moments where you question your decision, but if you can find that small quiet center of yourself and calmly go through your decision process I think you will find that will help you take the necessary deep breaths.

Please know that there have been any number of patients who have asked their doctors for anti-anxiety meds in the period closely preceding surgery...so if you feel that would still be helpful I am sure you can contact DrGlazers office or your PCP....even today.

As freaky as these days are, my guess is you will find peace in the hours before surgery. I will be wishing that for you.

Take Care, Cam