Surgery Monday UPDATE

[Rasputin]

Cathy, been following you with high hopes and best wishes, as you are about 6 weeks ahead of me on the same tx.

[Nik Colon]

Good luck with your surgery. I found chap stick helpful too. And yes walk , walk , walk that's all they want you to do. I also never seen people so happy that you pass gas ! Here is to a speedy recovery.

Rizt
there is a thread some where about the whole swinging chickens thing, somewhere . It explains everything butt I can't remember it so good!

I guess I'll try to search, thx

I found this link on one of the threads. Interesting.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/20 ... ?referrer=

[Delinda2]

Swinging chickens for you dear. I'm sure all will be fine & will be thinking of you. Please let us know how you are as soon as you are able. XXOXO, Delinda

[shade]

Best of luck on Monday. An important step forward...

I brought a cell phone and a paperback. I didn't want to bring much because I didn't want to stay long. I did smuggle in a couple of Ambiens, which helped me sleep better at night. They probably would have given me some if I asked, but I like being in control - not easy in a hospital.

[cathy123]

Thanks so much far all the good advice and support! This forum is wonderful.

[Teddi]

I hope your cocktail party tomorrow isn't too miserable, and best wishes for your surgery on Monday.

I was glad I brought my kindle, phone, chargers, and a tin of Altoid smalls. Always hate the weird taste of getting meds pushed through my iV. Honestly, I just wore their clothes and socks ~ why worry about getting mine bloody or soiled? I can't remember if you are getting a temp ostomy, but if you are bring something to video record your first changing lesson with, so you don't forget anything. Drugs will do that

Here's to the next step on your path to NED!
Teddi

[MrsOssie]

You will walk after surgery because you'll be high as a kite. I also had in a walking epidural plus morphine so could have run laps.
In the first week after surgery, I struggled to read without feeling nauseous (side effect for me of anathaesia). I recommend Audi books or podcasts. There's a great series called "Serial" that you can down load for free. If you're a bible reader, get an Audi bible so you can lay back and listen.

In addition to the things people have mentioned:
- 2 piece sleep clothes (once catheter is out) - makes you feel better, especially if you get visitors
- eye mask
- ear plugs for noisy night nurses
- ask Dr for night time sleep meds or tell them what you are taking
- ask nurses to not wake you for night observations or turn on light when they come in or really engage you. They can rake your temp and BP using light from open doorway/hallway or with flashlight. Sounds harsh but you will sleep better
- spend time in your chair (not just bed) each day
- walk a little further each day, a couple of times per day
- sign up for lots of free samples of ostomy products and they'll be delivered to your house in the coming weeks so you can find products that work for you

Praying all goes well

Xx

[purplekangaroo]

Good luck for tomorrow, I hope everything goes to plan. I definitely recommend ear plugs - bliss!

[plastikos]

The fact that you're a candidate for surgery is a good thing. Hoping for the best for you.

[O Stoma Mia]

... Also is there anything helpful to have with me at the hospital other than books, ipod etc to keep me occupied...

• Hospital packing list - If you are having surgery, then you might want to have a look at some of the threads here related to stays in the hospital for colon-cancer related surgeries:
  
  Things that are helpful to have with you in the hospital...
  
  "take to the hospital" list
  
  If you could take to the hospital what would it be?
  
  There are also some web-sites that have more general information in this area
  
  What to pack for hospital
  
  WhatTo Pack For The Hospital
  
  The 10 Most Important Things to Bring With You to the Hospital
  
  Packing A Bag For The Hospital
  
  What to Expect for Inpatient Surgery

[hart2hart]

Cathy -

We will be thinking aboutcha tomorrow ----Here's to a Speedy Recovery and Remember
to Walk-Walk-Walk and Hydrate lots! OSM gave you a great list - you rock OSM, just saying......
Pretty soon it will be spring (hopefully!) and you can do your walking outside! Here's to you Cathy!




Julie and Pete
Stamford, CT

[TheLadySkye]

Prayers and good thoughts for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and a comfy bed. Also, the chickens and I will sneak in during shift changes for a little extra luck

[TheLadySkye]

Oh! And the biggest thing I needed/wanted at the hospital was one I didn't even bring myself - the nurses at Roswell made it for me. After surgery, you will do a fair bit of coughing. And of course the regular sneezing and such. And after abdominal surgery, those simple things hurt like a mofo. The nurses had a thin blanket they folded into a square, med taped that way, and drew a smiley face on. Every time I had to cough or sneeze, I was told to hold that as tight as was comfortable (in other words, not very tight!) against my abdomen. This helps limit movement during coughing/sneezing and helps with pain and the possibility of tearing the surgical site. Honestly, that silly thing was a lifesaver for me after surgery. Especially when I would get up to walk, coughing seemed inevitable for awhile.

I also really appreciated popsicles and those silly mouth swab things before the NG tube came out. Lip balm if you're allowed. I found I couldn't really read or text or watch movies while I was there...my eyes were totally non-cooperative. But music was nice. A favorite stuffed animal. Pretty flowers to remind you of outside (where you will soon be). Someone sent me an amazingly fragrant bouquet while I was there, and I really appreciated that it covered up the other hospital smells. To this day, I have a traumatic response to the smell of hand sanitizer.

[Ajane]

Thinking of you, swinging chickens, and praying that your surgery went well and that you're up and out of there in four.

[lpas]

Hope all went well today, Cathy! Please let us know when you're feeling up to it.