New Here and Surgery timing ?

[Phyllis]

Glad you are going to Cleveland, Betsy. Let us know when you have scheduled surgery so we can help boost you over the mountain.

 

[shellyb]

We just came home from Cleveland Clinic this Tues. (Oct. 9). We live in SD close to 1200 miles from Cleveland. We decided to fly and had the tests done on Mon. and Tues. (Oct. 1-2) and surgery on Oct. 3rd. My husband was the patient and he is doing great. Both of us highly recommend CC!

shellyb

 

[HeartDawg]

Expert Opinions

Expert Opinions

Hey, Betsy,

I know you can't trust everything you read on the Web ... but you also can't trust everything you hear from your doctor ... I can tell you true/personal stories.

I'm saying that because ... when Al and Ross (and some of the others here) speak, it is good to listen. They know what they are talking about.

And, they are right, OHS is usually a fairly straightforward procedure. Yep ... you will hear/read stories saying otherwise, but you will also hear bad outcomes of driving to the grocery store. The week leading up to my surgery was by FAR the worst part of the whole thing. The week in the hospital was uneventful (I made good progress on the hospital puzzles) and the weeks of rehab were very rewarding and enjoyable ... I really enjoyed going to cardio rehab and working out with the "guys."

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Thank you everyone, for all the experienced and dose of realism. I think I have let go of the thread I was hanging onto of numbers and CT scans and margins of error. I have called Cleveland Clinic and told them to go ahead with my insurance authorization, so I can then set up some appointments. They are offering that I either come out for a 1 day evaluation (echo and whatever other tests Svennson rec'ds) and a consult with him and then come back again for surgery. Or, that I just schedule the outpatient testing followed by the surgery. ??????

One day at a time, I'm still digesting this all. It has been very helpful to hear all the positive stories and inspiration and I will continue to come here to this great circle of support.

Betsy

I'm glad to hear you are moving forward Betsy.

Cleveland Clinic is an EXCELLENT facility and I'm sure they will 'Fix you up' good as new!

Feel free to come to VR.com with any questions or requests for support. We'll be here to offer whatever assistance we can.

Best wishes,

'AL Capshaw'

 

[WayneGM]

Glad to hear you've made your decision. It's best to get on with it if surgery is inevitable. Now that you know you are on the journey, you can starting organizing your life and preparing. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[maestrorn]

good choice

good choice

Hey there, I am glad that you decided to move on with your surgery. And welcome to the forum. As many have said, aneurysms are not worth the gamble. I am 37 and mine was found coincidently during a health exam. I was symptom free as well. My doc said my fatality chance increased 2% per month I didn't have surgery. Well, I had the surgery that same month. granted I am on coumadin for the rest of my life, at 37 I still have the rest of my life

You will do well. OHS is a major surgery but relax and let God carry you through. The best advice I can give as an ICU nurse is to have your husband practice deep breathing while you are on the ventilator. That will expedite the time they pull out the breathing tube. Then use the incentive spirometer they give you to help with your breathing. Secondly, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, and when your sick of walking, walk some more. The exercise cleans out your lungs and reconditions your body to your presurgical status.

Please feel free to ask any questions!!

 

[bbb]

breathing

breathing

The best advice I can give as an ICU nurse is to have your husband practice deep breathing while you are on the ventilator. That will expedite the time they pull out the breathing tube.

Maestrorn: Can you explain the above not sure what you mean by having your husband practice deep breathing while I am on the ventilator.

 

[Ross]

The best advice I can give as an ICU nurse is to have your husband practice deep breathing while you are on the ventilator. That will expedite the time they pull out the breathing tube.

Maestrorn: Can you explain the above not sure what you mean by having your husband practice deep breathing while I am on the ventilator.

You'll probably be so drugged up that you won't be able too, but if you can and the vent is still in when you wake up, take as big and deep a breath as you can with the cycles of the vent. This is to prevent pneumonia.

 

[bbb]

You'll probably be so drugged up that you won't be able too, but if you can and the vent is still in when you wake up, take as big and deep a breath as you can with the cycles of the vent. This is to prevent pneumonia.

So, Ross, is this something the person in the hospital supporting you can help you to do? How long are you usually on the ventilator? And in ICU?