Surgery coming up, could use advice on hospital stay

in another life I was a nurse, LVN on an orthopedics floor so though I have no idea if you'll still have your IV and what will be in that bag, I do know that yes, you get up and walk, and yes, you drag the pole with you, and you sort of half wear your robe, sticking the non IV arm into a sleeve and drape the robe over the IV side and kind of clutch it in place with your hand. Often a nurse walks with you and manages the pole. Or a loved one helps out. That's where Trace comes in:) If you're not a robe person, they just give you a hospital gown to wear to cover the gaping opening in the back. 

I'll be thinking about you and sending all my good thoughts along with the rest of us here at CSN central. If you hear a lot of noise, it's all of us out on the front lawn cheering you on.

xoxo

Victoria

Hospitals can be noisy, even if you're in a private room - other people's call lights dinging, overhead pages, machine alarms - bring ear plugs. If you have sleep shades bring those too.

Yes, you'll be hooked up to an IV on a pole, and will need to take the pole on wheels with you, but that can be good - it gives you something to hang onto! Do you have a port? If so, the IV tubing will be connected to your port and come up out of the top of your gown and you just wear your robe as usual. Otherwise, 2 options for the robe, you can either drape it over your shoulders and wrap it around and have your arms sticking out (or just have 1 arm in a sleeve and the other tucked inside) and tie it under your arms, or you can have the nurse or your partner "thread" the IV bag through the sleeve to the outside of your robe, followed by your arm.

Remember, you're going to have very limited use of your arms after a bilateral, don't plan on taking a laptop with and typing on a keyboard. If you have a Kindle or iPod and want to read or listen to music that might be OK.

Some ladies I've talked to said they loved having 2 big heart shaped pillows to support their arms - the top of the heart fits under your armpit and the pointy part of the heart rests on your hip or the bed when you're lying/sitting and then you can rest your arms on the pillows. I have a friend having surgery this week and I bought her 2 pillows at Walmart in the Valentines section. They were very soft and cuddly, variety of colors (pink, red, brown, black) for $11 each.

I'm guessing with the pain pills you'll end up sleeping through the night other than when the nurses wake you up to check your BP, etc. If it's only a one night stay, I wouldn't try and bring a lot with to do.

Traci, since it is just one night, it won't be bad.  I think the other ladies filled you in on the specifics.  I recommend that Trace brings a pillow in the car for your ride home.  This way you can buckle your seatbelt but the belt won't rub you where you just had surgery.  Funny, I too thought about flashing pretty much anyone and everyone I could just because it was going to be my last chance and why not live a little crazily.  In the end, I didn't because I thought that the hospital would be preferable over a jail cell for the night.  Hang in there, once the surgery is over, I'm sure you will, among other things, feel a sense of relief.

Very best,

Clem

fauxma said:

Since it is just one night

Since it is just one night you will only need a small flask of adult beverages and a small bag of forbidden snacks.  Just kidding.  You have received a pretty good picture of what you will need and what to expect.  One thing to remember you will be sore so use whatever assistance you need from whomever offers.  Don't strain anything trying to be too tough.  My best thoughts are with you that this will be without any hitches. 

Stef

Prayers for strength and courage.......I know you are afraid because I sure was each and every time I had to hit the hospital.......but like all the other ladies are saying.......it is only one night and maybe Trace can stay with you.  Please get back to us as soon as you are able...meanwhile we send you love and hope all goes well.

TraciInLA said:

I'll tell the Coffee Cart Guy to expect you!

Thanks very much for the explanation and good thoughts, Victoria -- I bought a new pretty, super cuddly robe for this auspicious occasion, so I'm da*n sure gonna wear it, even if I have to lurch down the hospital hallway like Quasimodo!

As far as the front lawn of the hospital....you all may want to bring some cash, as there's a nice guy with a coffee cart out in front of the hospital who would be glad to supply all of you with caffeine!

When I went through treatment back in 2009 (surgery + chemo + radiation, all at the same hospital as now), our joke was that the only person at that hospital who had NOT seen my breasts was the Coffee Cart Guy....maybe I need to flash him on my way in on Thursday, since this will be his last chance?

 Traci

It's all already been covered.

Me, too - will be out on the front lawn for ya, come Thursday. We'll be one helluva group, fueled by too much coffee.

Sending hopeful best wishes for surgery to go well, and for good healing/recovery.

Kind regards, Susan

lintx said:

Hey Traci

I think it'll be an easy surgery for you.  I had that surgery w/immediate  reconstruction and never even used the pain pump or meds at home.  I walked the hallway w/IV a little like the "hunchback," and so will you!  Your sense of humor will get you through.  By the way, yes, I love Trader Joe's and the great recipes.  Thanks!  Now go flash that coffee cart guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Linda

So, a late morning surgery.

Expect someone to order a light meal for you to try to down...but don't be surprised if you have nausea.  Keep the spit up bowl near, dear, vomit is not a good color on any of us.  Pssst...It's a residual effect of the anesthesia.  

No one seemed particularly concerned about making me walk around post mastectomy nor my more recent biopsy of the "good" breast.  Both procedures, maybe because of the general anesthesia, had me wearing some lovely inflatable leg wraps that would inflate and deflate to help prevent clotting.  I did not have those for the lighter procedures like insertion/extraction of my chest port.  Too, my disposable paper gowns could be connected to a warm air blower (no kidding) to maintain a consistent temperature. And no hospital ensemble would be complete without the tissue paper hairnet and funky no skid socks.

I have a rather amusing tale of wearing the haute couture outfit and standing around the women's center waiting for a guide wire to be inserted.  It's a knee slapper...maybe at our next brunch. 

I spent one restless night, hospitals are really quite noisy, and the big emphasis placed upon me was my resuming my ability to go "potty".  I was more than delighted to fulfill my nurses make a wish, just so I could go home and get some actual rest.

As for the process, I expected some discomfort and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of such.  I did not, however, expect the Jackson-Pratt drain.  I understand when I have my own second prophylactic procedure I will again require this appendage, but I digress.  To accommodate my tenderness and temporarily decreased range of motion, I found oversized zip-up hoodies to be a God send.  The generous size also allowed me to safety pin the drain up and I was quickly walking around my neighborhood...after I caught up on my sleep.

And for heaven's sake, wear new (no holes, tears, nor rubber band strings!) panties when you go and bring clean panties to wear home.  

You are in our prayers.

Lilly9 said:

The ladies above have pretty

The ladies above have pretty well covered it.   One thing you need to keep in mine is the ride home.   Bring something that is simple to get into and out of - fits loosely.  You will want to have a pillow - one that you can put between you and your seatbelt for the trip home.

 

I feel fortunate that my hospital stays were pleasant.  Our hospital networks all have a woman's pavillion and an area for breast cancer patients.  When I had my dbl mastectomy I was actually in a "suite" - Hubby had a couch that pulled out into a full size bed, comfy blankets.  It was roomy and had a lot of amenities.  I was impressed. especially after I ended up having to stay several nights.

 

Good luck and I will be keeping you in my prayers

above posted suggestions --  Oh Lord, what we live thru --

I would only add ....

dedorant --(as you are NOT allow any the day of surgery)

IPOD -- plug in your favorite music, or book  (noisy at hospital )  You will need your sleep

Lip balm -- your lips will be sore, and chapped from surgery

Nice walking slippers -- as you will be asked to walk the halls as many times as possible to keep your lungs clear - I did map out an escape route after day 3 of my bilateral mastectomy stay ..

HUMOR --  My experience, nurses will ask you to get up and use bathroom even tho you have NO upper arm strength - and when all is done - you are back in bed falling asleep, a staff member will come in, wake you happy asssssss up and take your temp, and blood pressure - as you are silently praying for them to go away and leave you alone,  they will start a 20 minute conversation.  Yes, this happens even at 2 a.m. in the morning  

Love You,

Vicki Sam

GreeneyedGirl said:

~~♥♥♥~~

Hey Traci~

When I had my mastectomy they placed a pain pump with meds in the surgical incision. so I never had to worry about pain from the "get go"...It was nice to have. When it ran out, all was well and the dr. just removes the tiny wire like implant. poof! done!

I always ask for ativan before surgeries to help me rest up the few nights before...

You will do fine, and sounds like you will have great care at home!

~M

Oh cousin Traci sending some love your way. Hope this surgery is fast and painless. Hang in there. (Hugs)

TraciInLA said:

Flask of adult beverages & escape route

You ladies make me laugh -- thank you so much!

Actually, Stef -- that flask is gonna have to have fully leaded Pepsi in it -- NO ONE is going to want to be in my presence once I've gone 24 hours without my beloved morning caffeien/sugar hit!  VickiSam -- while I'm in surgery, instead of mapping out an escape route for me, could you maybe map out a route from my room to the nearest Pepsi machine?

 Traci

I'm a pepsi gal also but diet because of my diabetes.  I like a glass in the morning just like some people like their coffee.  So I will be thinking of you when I have my "coffee" in the morning.  So here's to you Traci.  Maybe we could just have the pepsi machine put in your room and hooked up to your IV.  Direct route.  All kidding aside good thoughts for you.

Stef