Finally: a date for surgery

[catwoman]

My husband (John, catman) & I have deliberated long over which surgeon to go with.
He has chosen to go with William Ryan at Presby -- because I've been able to talk to 2 MV repair patients thanks to this website. (Presby is also about 5 miles from my parents' front door. )

His surgery date is Thursday, May 10. When I made the appointment, all I was told was no food or water after midnight & just show up at Presby at 9 a.m., with surgery @ 12:30 p.m. Pre-op will be done that morning (I'm sorta uncomfortable with that) and no, they don't send out any info packets about what to expect.
That seems a little strange. (My mom is having pre-op this week for knee replacement on 5/22/07 and she has to see a video at the hospital (Baylor) ).

I hope I've misinterpreted what I was told and that John will get a phone call to report a week early for pre-op, cultures for MRSA, etc.

I tend to be very anally retentive and obsessive about things, wanting everything to be exactly perfect.

 

[Lynlw]

My husband (John, catman) & I have deliberated long over which surgeon to go with.
He has chosen to go with William Ryan at Presby -- because I've been able to talk to 2 MV repair patients thanks to this website. (Presby is also about 5 miles from my parents' front door. )

His surgery date is Thursday, May 10. When I made the appointment, all I was told was no food or water after midnight & just show up at Presby at 9 a.m., with surgery @ 12:30 p.m. Pre-op will be done that morning (I'm sorta uncomfortable with that) and no, they don't send out any info packets about what to expect.
That seems a little strange. (My mom is having pre-op this week for knee replacement on 5/22/07 and she has to see a video at the hospital (Baylor) ).

I hope I've misinterpreted what I was told and that John will get a phone call to report a week early for pre-op, cultures for MRSA, etc.

I tend to be very anally retentive and obsessive about things, wanting everything to be exactly perfect.

I'm glad you have a date, the putting life on hold so to speak, planwise, work vacations ect, is tough while waiting to find out When. but it is also hard to have a date, since it makes it more "real'.
I agree w/ you it seem a little odd, that they aren't doing any pre op work, unless he had bloodwork/chest xrays ect, in the time frame they use before surgery.
I think (since I'm a little anal like you), I would call the surgeon sec and just say something, like we are trying to make sure we heard right, will there be any preop testing done or do we just show up the day of surgery. I'd also double check on the not eating after midnight thing, alot of time there is no eating after midnight, but you can have clear liguids (water ) up to so many hour before surgery, especially since it isn't the first case bright and early in the morning. I have been keeping John and you in my prayers, as you made all the choices, I know it is hard, so I will keep you in my prayers for the 10th Lyn
ps i've heard very good things about Dr. Ryan

 

[Karlynn]

I think there's a lot to be said for getting it done and over with. As Lyn said, don't hesitate to call and clarify things.

I wish John and you - and your Mom, the very best.

 

[geebee]

Thinking of and praying for your family. Hope your husband gets his repair and recovery is picture perfect. Same for your mom. Sure is going to be a busy month.

 

[WayneGM]

Congratulations on setting the date. Wishing John a successful surgery and speedy, uneventful, recovery.

 

[Phyllis]

I'm glad John has a date and I put him on the calendar for May 10th, Marsha. All our best wishes for John and your mother.

 

[Mary]

I'm glad he's got a date, and as everyone told me, he will have great weather for his post-op walking regime.

 

[Guest]

Marsha,

Very glad that John has a surgery date ... congrats on that .

And, of course, thoughts/prayers coming to John for a SUCCESSFUL surgery!



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
my radio show:CD SHOWCASE.7:30p central.Friday/April 27 = www.wrmn1410.com

 

[catwoman]

When I made the appointment, all I was told was no food or water after midnight & just show up at Presby at 9 a.m., with surgery @ 12:30 p.m.

When I was told that, I had to suppress a giggle: It's exactly what I've been told whenever I've scheduled surgery on one of my cats. I joked with John about it; it's important to maintain a sense of humor even in the face of something very serious.

 

[Curtsmum]

Wishing John and your mom both a speedy recovery.

 

[Wise]

Prayers and best wishes going out for John and your mom...and for you. May they both have a very successful surgery and recovery.

 

[aussie girl]

hope all goes well for both hubby and mom, will keep both in my prayers.............mary

 

[GeorgeM]

Wishing John and you all the very best. I'll be saying a prayer for you both.

Yes - where surgery is concerned, I've found you suddenly become a very good listener to all that surgeons say (and don't say !).

Best Wishes

George Montgomery

 

[MaryC]

Marsha,
I will be thinking of you and John on the 10th. John is in good hands.

 

[Adrienne]

I am sure John will do fine with Dr. Ryan. Between the woman I correspond with that had Dr. Ryan for a minimally invasive MV repair and the others on this site that have had him, I only hear great things about him!

 

[Philip B]

Getting a Date

Getting a Date

Congrats on getting a date.

While I'm sure hospital practices vary, I don't think it's unusual to have the pre-surgery prep stuff done on the same day as the surgery. They brought me into the hospital at 5:00 a.m., they did the necessary prep work, and wheeled me into surgery at 7:00 a.m. I did go in for some pre-op stuff (blood work & chest x-rays) on the day before, but we stayed in a hotel the night before.

I'm surprized that your hospital doesn't provide much in the way of information. If you guys are looking for a good resource which will give you a pretty accurate account of what to expect, Adam Pick (he is a member and frequently posts here) has written a pretty good book about his valve replacement surgery. There are also some good publications available from Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc.

You might request a tour of the ICCU facility at the hospital. Your surgeon may be able to set this up for you. A good tour with someone who can answer questions will prepare you for what those first twenty-four hours after surgery will look like. My wife feels our tour of the ICCU really helped prepare her for what she saw when I came out of surgery.

-Philip

 

[juliek]

I'll be thinking of you and John on May 10th!

 

[gijanet]

Good grief!

Good grief!

Glad to hear that John got his surgery date, but you are going to be one busy woman come May, my dear! Your mom, too? Make that Nurse Marsha! That is a bit weird about the pre-op being the morning of surgery..............never heard of anyone doing that, but there is always a first time. Have you confirmed that one yet?

Wishing you all well and keeping you in our prayers. Hugs. J.

 

[catwoman]

I will call the surgeon's office today to verify that all pre-op blood work, X-rays, etc., will be done the day of surgery. John has said he would prefer to have it done prior to that day.

Philip:

Since I've gone through MVR, I know what John will be facing. Also, I was at the hospital when his dad had his 2nd MVR (+ another valve replacement + quad bypass + aorta repair) in December 1989. Started at 7:30, went until 5 p.m. -- a very long day. I am prepared.

I've tried to prepare John for the vent tube, everything else, in a positive manner.

We got him some Speedos last night. Some slide sandals made by Speedo. They have excellent traction, should be ideal to wear in the hospital. Easy to slip into. He won't have to bend over to get his feet into them.

 

[tommy]

Marsha, best wishes for you, John and your Mom. Let me know if I can help! I've never had a general anesthesia where the anesthesiologist didn't call the night before.