getting ready for surgery

[Traveler]

Okay, so I've had the angiogram (all good news btw) and x ray and just about everything else. I've been saving my own blood for an autologous blood transfusion if needed. My surgery is scheduled for Friday, February 9 (It has been scheduled since late November). What else do I need to do to get ready?

I'm trying to do the relaxation training tapes - but I'm not good at relaxation.

What do I need to pack, what will my wife want to take? Anything else?

Mark

 

[Marguerite53]

Mark. Excellent about the clean angiogram.

About what to take, etc... there is a wealth of info on this site. A member named DerBiermeister asked a LOT of fabulous questions prior to his surgery (and he has a lot of good advice, post surgery, too). Pull up his member page and look over the threads he started. Others here are more savvy about how to locate other useful threads. On the main forums page in the Resources tab there are also some good lists. Good place to start, anyway.

It is tough to relax. You may need meds. Don't be afraid to try them. What could be scarier than looming open heart surgery?? Try the meds!!

Welcome to the Waiting Room!

Marguerite

 

[Phyllis]

Congratulations on the clean angiogram. I put you on the calendar for February 9th. All good suggestions from Marguerite- if you need more help locating the threads, just yell.

 

[WayneGM]

As Marguerite says, there's lots of info posted about getting ready and what to bring.

I also found it hard to relax. So since I couldn't relax, I tried to re-focus my energy on something that would help occupy my mind and pass the time. Everything from clearing out and re-organizing our garage to getting hooked on my son's "Age of Empires" strategy game on the PC.

Good luck.

 

[tdrother]

Don't worry to much about your surgery. It will go according to plan. As far as what to bring to the hospital - baby wipes. I won't go into much detail, but it is easier than the single ply.

 

[davidfortune]

Mark,

Congrats on the good angio.


For me - the only things I wanted in the hospital:

1. Boxers or shorts for after the foley catheter is removed (to get some semblance of your modesty back)

2. My razor

3. My toothbrush.

That was it for me. I didn't have time to read (I spent alot of time online at VR.COM from the day after my surgery), I didn't watch much TV. I didn't have time to want an iPod.

I watched TV the night after surgery in ICU. Next day was transfer to a private room on cardiac floor. Full of visits from nurses, PT, more nurses, PT, family, PT, nurses... Following day was full of visits from family, friends, nurses, PT. Last morning was nurses, family, surgeon's nurse practioner, discharge paperwork, and last minute PT instructions.

Once they had me walking (the day after surgery) - I walked alot and did arm exercises alot, and breathed alot. Believe it or not, between those activities, nurse visits, and family the day was gone.

For me there was never a time to just stop and do nothing (except at night while trying to sleep and listening to all the noise from the nurses station).

Your wife may want magazines or a book for waiting during surgery or other times during the day if you nap (depending if other family will be hanging around and how talkative they are).

Priscila hacked an open wireless network and so was able to work some during her time at the hospital.

Good luck,
David

 

[StretchL]

I concur with everything David said above. The only other things I would suggest that might make your stay more comfy would be chapstick, ear plugs, and eye coverings like they used to give you on long airline flights. You can buy them at travel stores. They help me sleep when I can't control the lighting...

 

[Lynlw]

Here is a thread we put together a while ago with things we suggested to take to the hspital, you certainly don't need everything listed, but it's a good place to look to remind yourself of things you might want but didn't think of
http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13283&highlight=bring+hospital

 

[Superbob]

Some things that I did that may or may not apply to you (and in addition to those mentioned):

Because my home was a considerable distance from the hospital, I found a nice hotel nearby for my wife to stay (and other family members with her, as needed).The hospital had a guide to accommodations, and offered discounts.

I updated my will and other papers, including my medical directives for certain situations. The success rate for these surgeries is very high, so I don't mean to be grim by pointing this out, but I wanted everything set for family members.

I bought a plain-language edition of the Bible and did more reading and thinking about spiritual matters than I ever had.

And there were a bunch of little things to get ready for the recovery. Getting a recliner and stashing plenty of DVDs of movies I hadn't seen. We made a family plan: My son would accompany my wife to the hospital and take care of her, and my daughter would mostly stay at home and take care of the household and my dog, and then stay with us for a few weeks afterward my return home to help out. If you have several meds to take, a pill organizer available from the drug store is very handy. In addition, my daughter was the one who actually organized the pils in the pill organizer for a while until I could think more clearly.

As for packing, yes, I gave a lot of thought to that, and then used nothing of what we carted to the hospital for me.

Best wishes to you as you make your preparations....

 

[ruth]

Mark,

Best of luck on your upcoming surgery. I just got home yesterday so I'll post here what I brought and then what I actually USED. Gleen from it what you will.
BROUGHT:
toothbrush/paste
glasses, contacts, drops
nail file
book to read
dulcolax/prescriptions
undies/boxers
robe
hairbrush/scrunchies/baby shampoo
socks/slippers
hand cream/shea butter
deoderant
cough pillow
earplugs/chapstick
loose clothes to wear home
gum - for my DH, not me
small amount of pocket $
phone, charger
ipod, charger, headphones
clie, charger

USED:
toothpaste (I'm allergic to most toothpastes, the hospital did provide it)
glasses right out of CICU, contacts on 3'rd day
eye drops for contacts
nail file
robe
hairbrush
deoderant
gum - for my DH, not me
phone, charger

Of all the things my robe was my favorite. I bought a soft cuddly lightweight pink one and used it as a blanket, a coverup (so my kids didn't see tubes or hospital gowns and mommy just looked more like, well, mommy) and also for backside privacy and warmth while walking the halls.

I was glad to know that I had the other things there but quite honestly didn't need them. I checked in at 7am so I even wore the clothes home from the hospital that I had worn there (carefully selected without seams or obstacles at probable sore spots). The hospital let me fold and bag them up and they stayed in the car trunk for a week. I also wore my safest flat shoes to the hospital knowing I would be wearing them home.

 

[readsforfun]

Clean Angio

Clean Angio

Hi Mark!

Great News about the angio. I can't add much to what others have suggested for what to take to the hospital. The baby wipes sound like a great idea! As for relaxing, what works best for me is either a good book, a really good one that gets your mind totally involved, or else just keeping very busy. If I do too much thinking I get almost obsessed, so try very hard not to get to that place. Best of luck to you. Will mark my calendar also for 2/9!

Jan

 

[tobagotwo]

Actually, you don't really need anything but a toothbrush and a clean pair of underwear and socks to go home in. You're out of your street clothes so fast, the shirt and pants don't have time to get dirty.

Best wishes,

 

[Stan925]

For me, music was very important as a means to relax. I hate TV and find it a big noise. I took a Walkman and a good supply of music to keep me relaxed.

Good luck to you.

Stan