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Posted 2/8/2014 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning everyone.  I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to comment on my last post smilewinkgrin .

My surgery is scheduled for Monday morning, I have to be at Loma Linda at 5am, and surgery is scheduled at 730am!  At least I don't have to worry about being my doctor's last patient of the day, or traffic getting to the hospital. 

I am trying to stay busy, have been busting my butt deep cleaning the house, getting everything ready for when I leave.  I am happy to have so many supportive people around me, my last day of work for a while was yesterday and everyone got me a card, magazines and a huge crossword puzzle book to keep me occupied in the hospital.  I am just getting so nervous about the surgery.  I know I will be fine but my tummy is so upset just thinking about it. 

Any tips on how to calm down?

Posted 2/8/2014 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
The day before my surgery I treated myself to a pedicure. It helped relax me. I was flaring pretty badly so that was about all I could do so I wouldn't be away from the bathroom too long!

Best of luck on Monday...think positive thoughts! :-)
Posted 2/8/2014 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
If you get a pedicure, don't put polish on your nails!!
Posted 2/8/2014 6:54 PM (GMT 0)

ActiveUCer said...
If you get a pedicure, don't put polish on your nails!!

really, why? I went into the OR with pretty pink toes. :)
Posted 2/8/2014 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Anytime I have had surgery, they always made me take my polish off! Lol
Hang in there Onlyme! It will be done before you know it. Keeping yourself busy is a good idea.
Posted 2/8/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)

JodyGM said...
Anytime I have had surgery, they always made me take my polish off! Lol

Oh that's too funny. They never asked me to remove it! Different rules for different hospitals I guess.
Posted 2/8/2014 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
After my surgery when I was starting to really recover (week two I think), I asked my nurses and surgeon if my girlfriend could come and give me a pedicure! They said sure! What a freaking treat to have a pedicure while still all hooked up to all my IV's and tubes and drains. It made me realize the real world was still out there waiting for me to come back!

I think she did my toes hot pink then!
Posted 2/8/2014 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck on your surgery Onlyme. I am sure all will go well!
Posted 2/8/2014 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
When I was in ICU, the most wonderful nurse told me she would do a 'spa day' for the following day. I didn't know what to expect. She painted my toes and fingers, and washed my hair. I cried for days and I've payed that back when someone I know is hospitalized...I bring the polish!

I say do it, if the nurses haven't told you by now not to.

I did the same, really cleaned the house, laundry all cleaned, kept busy. But doing something for yourself, going somewhere to relax, in my opinion is the best. Facial, hair styled?

I will be thinking of you and wish you all my best!
Posted 2/9/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I'm always instructed "no polish, no hair product, no deodorant" - always as chemically naked as you can be.

One of the quick ways to quickly check blood flow is "capillary refill" - You basically push down on the nail and watch how quickly it returns back to normal color. You can do this on hands and feet.

I know when I was in ICU, I wouldn't keep the O2 monitor on hand (even when unconscious) so they had to move it to my toe, haha. Having polish obstructs the measurement device.
Posted 2/9/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck on your surgery - post back and let us know how you're feeling.
Posted 2/9/2014 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
The craziest thing that helped me was this;

I'm laying there in the pre-op room waiting for the surgeon, nervous as hell. When the anesthesiologist comes up to my and starts telling me how his wife had UC and now has a jpouch, turns out the guy lives down the street from me and is close friends with my neighbor. It was comforting knowing I wasn't alone I guess.

But take comfort in this, you've had a tough road to lead up to this, a massive roller coaster ride. Now it's time to relax and heal. Your nerves aren't going to change whether you have the surgery or not. It's happening and for good reason. You will feel better when you wake up and any bumps you hit in the road ahead are all part of the healing process, not part of being sick. Also, most issues are emotional post-op since it's a mental game adjusting to your new setup. Just take comfort knowing you're not suffering anymore. Good luck and enjoy the pain meds!
Posted 2/22/2014 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Onlyme83? ..any news yet?
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