What do you wish you had done . . . ?

Michael, there's not much you can do now to influence outcome and your docs will doubtless have given all necessary advice on medical issues like hydration etc.  Maybe your fellow-patients here can advise on practical issues.  Stay as mentally relaxed as possible (meditation always helpful) but remain physically active to keep fitness level tuned up.

You're an intellectual so taking some reading matter in will go without saying, but don't be despondent if you don't feel like doing much for the first day or two, although with your op you'll surely be out and fine in no time.  Think about the journey home and plan to make it as comfortable as possible, with optimal route, vehicle, cushions etc (latter very handy to hold against your side if/when you cough or sneeze). You've probably already thought about arrangements at home - maybe a recliner to sleep in in case bed is too uncomfortable (but you'll probably be OK after a lap procedure) and avoiding much stair climbing while you're still a bit sore.

My guess is that this will be plain sailing for you and that you've got it well taped already. 

One thing I did that was definitely right in my circumstances may be rather less necessary for you.  After a thoroughly healthy life I'd only been in hospital very briefly for surgery - one night for a couple of awkward wisdom teeth to be removes under a general anaesthetic.  However, my op was major with a largish tumor, in a tricky location (and all surgery under a general when almost seventy is not to be taken too lightly). I wasn't unduly bothered but, while driving us to the Hospital, I gently put it to my Wife and our only Daughter that we all hoped and expected that matters would go well but if that turned out not to be the case they should both remember that we all know the affection we hold for each other - never in doubt - and that accordingly, if it went awry, there would be no occasion for regret or self-recrimination for things left unsaid.  That was of some comfort when the op had to be converted from lap to open, involved much blood loss and transfusions and my Wife and Daughter were left hanging for hours with no news long after I was supposed to be out of theatre.  My Daughter has more than once expressed thanks for that forethought, which meant a lot to her.

Perhaps everyone does that - I have no way of knowing - but maybe it sometimes gets overlooked in the anxiety of the occasion.  I don't suppose it applies in your current situation but it's the best answer I can give to your eminently sensible question.  Good luck when the time comes, TW.

Texas_wedge said:

Your prep

Michael, there's not much you can do now to influence outcome and your docs will doubtless have given all necessary advice on medical issues like hydration etc.  Maybe your fellow-patients here can advise on practical issues.  Stay as mentally relaxed as possible (meditation always helpful) but remain physically active to keep fitness level tuned up.

You're an intellectual so taking some reading matter in will go without saying, but don't be despondent if you don't feel like doing much for the first day or two, although with your op you'll surely be out and fine in no time.  Think about the journey home and plan to make it as comfortable as possible, with optimal route, vehicle, cushions etc (latter very handy to hold against your side if/when you cough or sneeze). You've probably already thought about arrangements at home - maybe a recliner to sleep in in case bed is too uncomfortable (but you'll probably be OK after a lap procedure) and avoiding much stair climbing while you're still a bit sore.

My guess is that this will be plain sailing for you and that you've got it well taped already. 

One thing I did that was definitely right in my circumstances may be rather less necessary for you.  After a thoroughly healthy life I'd only been in hospital very briefly for surgery - one night for a couple of awkward wisdom teeth to be removes under a general anaesthetic.  However, my op was major with a largish tumor, in a tricky location (and all surgery under a general when almost seventy is not to be taken too lightly). I wasn't unduly bothered but, while driving us to the Hospital, I gently put it to my Wife and our only Daughter that we all hoped and expected that matters would go well but if that turned out not to be the case they should both remember that we all know the affection we hold for each other - never in doubt - and that accordingly, if it went awry, there would be no occasion for regret or self-recrimination for things left unsaid.  That was of some comfort when the op had to be converted from lap to open, involved much blood loss and transfusions and my Wife and Daughter were left hanging for hours with no news long after I was supposed to be out of theatre.  My Daughter has more than once expressed thanks for that forethought, which meant a lot to her.

Perhaps everyone does that - I have no way of knowing - but maybe it sometimes gets overlooked in the anxiety of the occasion.  I don't suppose it applies in your current situation but it's the best answer I can give to your eminently sensible question.  Good luck when the time comes, TW.

I would have had sent my wife on a mini vacation so she wouldn't have known and worried.

Galrim said:

I wish I had prepared better for the post-surgery period.

Mentally that is. I was far too keen on getting back to the pre-surgery life. I started working, excersising, everything, way too quick. And it backlashed a few months later when I got hit by severe stress. And afterwards found out that maybe my body was back on full schedule two weeks after, but my mind certainly wasnt...

/G

G, I reckon those insights would go well on the "Recovering from radical nephrectomy" thread where what you've said can't be repeated too often!

Hi Michael,

I really can't think of any changes I would make in the  three days prior to surgery. I had loads of phone calls from family and friends, some I had been meaning to call for ages...(sorted now). They gave me a huge boost of courage.I also went out for a slap up meal the day before, we had good food and a good laugh. I was obviously nervous the day of admission but on the whole I was pretty relaxed considering. My husband was more nervous than me, we could have had a double room but I don't think he would have coped well.

So I have no regrets to report apart from having to face it in the first place. Such is life:)

I wish you all the best for Tuesday, if I were you I should keep the door tightly shut on it until the day. Everything is organized, there is nothing left for you to do now but turn up.

We will all be thinking of you and sending you good vibes next week. Enjoy your weekend with your family.

Djinnie x

Can't say John would have done anything differently. I know we spent a lot of time talking about how easy life had been prior to this little blip, and chastized ourselves a bit for taking it for granted. We  promised we'd come back from the other side of the operation embracing life more passionately. We kind of used it as a wake up call.

Wishing you and your family more smiles and happiness than ever on the other side of the surgery.  

MDCinSC said:

I understand

and agree entirely!  There are modifications in the offing!  You are in Baltimore, right?  I was born and raised not far from there. We claimed Laurel, but actually it was Scaggsville! 

Do  give my regards to the Bromo Seltzer Tower!

 

Michael

Yes, we're Baltimore in Canton, just East of Fells Point.

I'm familiar with Laurel (not so much Scaggsville), but John tells me Scaggsville is home to Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. 

Up until retirement in Feburary, my office looked right out onto the Bromo Seltzer Tower, we were very familiar with each other.

Positive thoughts with you on Monday!

Nothing major. A couple of minor things.

A few friends had trouble finding me in the hospital the first day or two (I go by my middle name not my first name and I wasn't clear exactly where I was going to be). I might've coordinated that better.

I hadn't arranged anyone to stay the night with me the first night. My son and his wife stayed with me, and I was very glad they did. I needed people there that first night. The second night I was fine alone.

I have a very hard time with morphine. It makes me nauseous. I told them this, but they still gave it to me before I even woke up, and so I woke up vomiting like crazy until I was aware enough to tell them to take me off that damn stuff. Tramadol worked fine for the pain. For some reason, they always seem to assume that when I tell them that I'm sensitive to narcotics that it's in my mind, but it is not.

In the day or two after the surgery, they left an extra, unused IV line in one of my veins and were resistant to removing it. Their reason for leaving it sounded superstitious "As soon as we remove it, we'll need it..." They didn't need it and they didn't flush it well, and I ended up with some phlebitis in that arm. It did heal up in about 8 weeks. Make sure they flush those if they leave them, and if they get sore at all like mine did, I'd make them take it out. In fact, anything you feel isn't right and they push back, I'd push it. I found hospital staff to be unpleasantly uncooperative much of the time.

The days leading up, not much else.

Djinnie said:

Preparing for recovery

Speaking for me personally, I think it is difficult to fully prepare yourself for how you will feel post op, as it is not yet within the realms of your experience. Once on the other side I feel it is rather like post traumatic stress and bereavement rolled into one. Initially all our energy is naturally focused on healing the body. The mind is having to slowly process and accomodate the information and recover which can cause us to be hit with a whole gambit of stresses and emotions to work through.

After an operation we throw ourselves into exercise routines to get back into shape. It is also very important to take time to be still and steady the mind with either meditation, deep breathing or some other form of deep relaxation.

 

Djinnie

I would have taken steps to aide in post surgical stuff. Mostly, I would have made it clear to potnetial visitors to check with my wife before comming over.  

I know I had visitors, but I do not remember some of them....

MDCinSC said:

Good advice, All!

My wife may not stay in the room with me.  This is a VA hospital and there are four patients to a room.  That may change once we get there, but that is the "official" response.  We are far enough from home that the liklihood of visitors is slim, but my son and daughter in law are in. They brought friends along to mind the house while we are out of town.  Their idea, since most everything we do these days is available information to someone, we didn't want anyone to think our home would be easy pickings! 

I appreciate all this advice!  You have helped me prep and I appreciate it.

Today starts the digestive purge!  Woo Hoo!  What a wonderful experience that is!  LOL

Later all!

Michael

Everyone talks about this digestive purge. I didn't have that pleasure, I was admitted the day before my op and placed on a light diet. I hope it came in a flavour of your choice.

All the best

Djinnie x

MDCinSC said:

Yum!

Lemony! 

If it weren't for the honor, I'd just as soon pass. . . well, so to speak!

  Lol.....I  love your humour:) I hope you get a mention in the honors list.

Djinnie