PREOP

Your list
Tee,

This list is very comprehensive and sounds pretty normal. Yes, the CMP is a medical panel that includes electrolytes, kidney function, cholesterol etc... Be careful about getting the lab work done too early. Most hospitals have rules about how old the CBC can be...am thinking it has to be done within 7 days of the surgery, but check with them. Then they can draw the CMP and the rest of the blood work all at the same time. PT and PTT have to do with bleeding tendencies. CBC is a complete blood count and measures hemoglobin, red cells, white cells, platelets, etc.

When you schedule the scans they will tell you what the preparation was...mine was just nothing to eat for a certain number of hours before the scan. And you will probably be given some contrast medium to drink before the scan. Mine wasn't too bad tasting...I am thinking I had to drink 3 large glasses about 15 minutes apart.

Yes...he is taking exactly what you said and may take lymph nodes, etc.

OK...you have lots to do between now and then but it will keep your mind busy and you know that with each of these tests crossed off the list, you are that much closer to getting your surgery over with. Hang in there!!

Karen

Teemac said:

THANKS
THANKS KAREN! THE DR SAID I COULD HAVE ALL THE TEST DONE ANY WHERE BETWEEN NOW AND THE SURGERY. AT LEAST IT GIVES ME A MONTH TO GET IT DONE. THEY DID GIVE ME SOME STUFF TO DRINK BEFORE THE CT SCAN. I HAVE TO DRINK ONE BOTTEL 8 HOURS BEFORE THE SCAN AND THE OTHER ONE ONE HOUR BEFORE. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. I HOPE IT TASTE OKAY I HAVE A VERY WEAK GAG REFLEK SO A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.

ANY TIPS FOR GETTING THE GO-LYTELY DOWN THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY I HEAR IT IS REALLY NASTY?

Teemac:
The list seems very
Teemac:

The list seems very normal. However, when I had my hysterectomy, I did not have the CT Scan (abdominal/pelvic/chest). I had a total hysterectomy, they removed everything. However, I wish they did the CT Scan first, because after my hysterectomy, is when they found the cancer so a month after my hysterectomy, they had to go back in and do a staging surgery wherein the removed my appendix and some flappy thing which I forgot what it was called.

With the go-lytely, if you get at least half of it down, you will be fine. Its not as bad as it used to be, In February, I had surgery again and I had to take this stuff which was carbonated and clear. I liked it better than the go lytely and it worked just as well. You should only have a three day hospital stay. Also, after surgery, try to get off the pain medication as soon as you can so that your bowel function can get back in order and that also means to try to walk whenever you can because that can cause a longer hospital stay.

And once you are home, you must give yourself at least six weeks to recover. Don't try to lift things. You will fell better and will want to do things. Just don't lift heavy objects or you may end up with a hernia (like I did).

The only thing I didn't see on your list was a colonoscopy. Which they still may give an order for somewhere down the line.

The CT drink that I had was ok. If it is cold, it is better.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I also pray that you won't be nervous.

Kathy

upsofloating said:

Just to add a few
Just to add a few comments... The scans may give surgeon a heads-up of what to expect when he goes in. The 'staging' part refers to anything else that might be found to have cancer/tumors that would be removed, possibly outside the basic organs listed as well as any lymph nodes that look suspicious. In situations like this, that terminology is quite normal - they can't wake you up during surgery and ask if it's okay. It covers any possible contingencies.
Also, last time I did the 'go litely', nurse recommended I start eating lightly for one - two days before I began the prep with it and it made it a much easier process than I had experienced before for a colonoscopy.
Hopefully all will be smooth sailing for you! --Annie

You are right, Anne. I do
You are right, Anne. I do now remember that I was on a liquid clear fluid diet a day before. Broth, clear jello, stuff like that.

Teemac said:

THANKS
THANKS KAREN! THE DR SAID I COULD HAVE ALL THE TEST DONE ANY WHERE BETWEEN NOW AND THE SURGERY. AT LEAST IT GIVES ME A MONTH TO GET IT DONE. THEY DID GIVE ME SOME STUFF TO DRINK BEFORE THE CT SCAN. I HAVE TO DRINK ONE BOTTEL 8 HOURS BEFORE THE SCAN AND THE OTHER ONE ONE HOUR BEFORE. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. I HOPE IT TASTE OKAY I HAVE A VERY WEAK GAG REFLEK SO A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.

ANY TIPS FOR GETTING THE GO-LYTELY DOWN THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY I HEAR IT IS REALLY NASTY?

TEE
Do double check with your hospital about how new the lab work has to be. Anesthesia generally has a time limit on how old the lab work can be so rather than have to get it twice, I recommend you check.

I just drank the stuff very fast.....I can't remember that there was much of a taste. And the suggestion to eat lightly the day or two before is a good one....it does make the process easier. Also, a friend told me that you can start drinking the stuff a bit earlier than the instructions say so you get cleaned out and can get some sleep. Good luck!!

Holding in you in my thoughts!

Karen

Teemac said:

CT-SCAN
BEEN UP SINCE 4 AM. BY CT-SCAN IS TODAY. I STARTED DRINKING THE STUFF I HAVE TO DRINK BEFORE THE CT SCAN. IT IS MAKING ME VERY SICK. I HAVE BEEN VOMITING FOR ALMOST 4 HOURS NOW. I CALLED THEM AND THEY WANT ME TO DRINK MORE OF THIS STUFF.

I had trouble with the barium prep for the CAT scan
Twice when I had CAT scans, they gave me stuff to drink at home, so I did not have to be at the hospital so early. Both times it made me so nauseous. I even chilled it and it did not help. I tried different flavors, but I think it is the consistancy that is so bad. I have opted to go to the hospital and drink their drinks there. The drinks at the radiology department are more like drinking crystal light. It means being at the hospital longer, but well worth not having the nausea.

Hope you made it through the scan okay. In peace and caring.

Teemac said:

CT-SCAN
BEEN UP SINCE 4 AM. BY CT-SCAN IS TODAY. I STARTED DRINKING THE STUFF I HAVE TO DRINK BEFORE THE CT SCAN. IT IS MAKING ME VERY SICK. I HAVE BEEN VOMITING FOR ALMOST 4 HOURS NOW. I CALLED THEM AND THEY WANT ME TO DRINK MORE OF THIS STUFF.

{{Tee}}}
I hated the golyetly stuff to drink. Have done it several times now for different procedures. It gets easier. Just keep chug-a-lugging it. I remember saying as I drank it: "Aright you dirty rats (the cancer cells) take that...we are coming in to get you." **Jimmy Cagney impression ( I hope someone remembers Jimmy Cagney out there.

Anyway, sweetie, just take one step at a time. All of this is so you can get better and get on with your life.