Day 56: Pre-op Fiasco

Today mark's the 8 weeks to the day from my open RP surgery, and my 56th day with a catheter.  Today was suppose to be simple.  I went to St. Francis Hospital in Greenville for pre-op for the upcoming procedure.  Now when I was there on Nov. 10th for the big surgery, I was in and out in 20 minutes, was pretty impressed.  Today, I was there for 3 hours and 15 minutes, of which only the last 15 minutes had anything to do with the pre-op. Then when they did see me, every thing was rush, rush, rush.  The worse part was sitting that long on a hard chair with that leg cath in place, and having to keep emptying it while I waited.  They never gave an explanation for the long wait.  The anethesiologist gave me a choice of being knocked out all together, or just from the waist down, I told him know way I wanted the top half of me to know what they were doing through my penis down below.  So he said he would put me under, and make sure I was on adequate pain med when he brought me out of it.  For that I was thankful, I told him I had been through enough pain and anguish the past 2 months.  Back home, trying to chill.  The surgery/procedure is still set for noon on Tuesday, January 13th, same hospital.

David in SC

Your patience is most admirable, about an hour after my scheduled appointment time I would surely have been in someones face. With all you've been through, a three hour wait would have been simply too much to bear. I certainly hope the surgery goes much more smoothly, and the results get you "going with the flow".

Best of luck!!

Ralph

PS: I am very passive by nature, sometimes too patient for my own good. But I have been through so much medical stuff since age 28, that I am the poster child for being a nice mannered compliant patient. So many people were griping at the desk at the pre-op, cussing at the help, etc, I figure I couldn't add anything positive to the situation, so I just sat and tried to zone out.

David

Diane, once gain, what Pete is going through makes my situation appear to be nothing and trivial. I am sure you post us here quickly once his surgery is over, all hoping for the very best. Thank you for your kindness, it really helps, and keeps things in their proper perspective. Just found out the woman I see at my credit union all the time, lost both her parents last year, and now she has breast cancer, will have to lose one breast for now, go through chemo and radiation. You never know what is going to happen next, as the Bible says, it rains on the just and unjust alike.

David in SC

Rooting for Pete, I really hope this helps his quality of life issues.

Divo and Pete,
...Barbed wire? Zowie. I must remember to avoid having to be scoped. I would have thought it wouldn't feel much different from a catheter.

David,
It's too bad about your pre-op experience, but I know what you mean. My wife has had a number of surgeries at other hospitals, and sometimes they are very poorly managed. Like having to wait 4 hours for a 10 minute consultation. Or getting a dosage of medication that is ten times less than it's supposed to be. My wife is a pretty feisty person, and that might have saved her life. Having a spouse around to help is also good, as you both know!

Hi David,
I know what you mean. Wednesday I went for pre-surgery testing and just sitting in the lobby of the hospital where I had to wait, I would bet that at least 300 people came in and out of that place in less than 30 minutes. Ain't the modern world of medicine wonderful?
Hang tough until Tuesday and beyond. Maybe they've finally gotten this problem figured out to get you on the right road back.I sure as heck hope so. You've had such a rough time that it's time for some relief. I've often wondered if the doctor's should prescribe some sort of anxiety meds for us until we get through the roughest part of our journeys. But I guess this forum is somewhat of an anti-depressant for some. All the best.
Bob

Geez David. I am so sory about your luck with your surgery and bed side manners displayed by your team...Next time you go there you ought to bring a paper bag and inflate it and pop it when you check in. When you get their attention tell them you are back again and you are getting tired of this? Heck I feel like flying out there and doing it for you. They really need to get on the ball here. If it were me, this would be this groups last chance to get it right. I kinda meant this jokingly...but only kinda!

You will have my prayers that they get this right, quickly!

Tony

David been watching your journey on this board I am sure the road side assistance of this group is way better than any Rx for you and others. Kudos for the showing others: 'it ain't the size of the dog in a fight, it's the fight in the dog' (be a pitbull accept no second place). You deserve kudos on this from anybody in any type of treatment, hey we have seen some people go postal on a lot less frustation and reasons in our world out there-(society wise).

fyi-I have two dogs and known dog/animal lover (Hey, l play with them-rumble with them and even have barked with them.....hooooooow-hoooooow, now is this a side effect of those drugs over the years?)
Call of the Wild

Hang in there maybe someone knows alot about this road, I don't.

Zufus

David,

You said it right when you said there were enough people already griping. It's nice to hear someone who remembers there are so many patients and so few staff to help them all. Pre-op is just trying to coordinate the mass of tests both in house and out patient. Pain in the tush sometimesa but, there are just days like that. Gald you got everything done. I do hope this is the one that gets the job done. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

PS: I know what its like after more than 29 years of hurry-up-and-wait. We figure everyone else is waiting as well and getting upset only delays staff even further so, we just wait. There are usually old donated magazines to enjoy and occasionaly we make a new friend. Not to say I haven't had that rare postal moment though! I remember waiting almost 4 hours once, holding one in a body cast, one post-op in a wheelchair and a baby strapped to my back. Also with me was our toddler god child. This was a pretty typical scene if Paul was working. Ah, the days of my youth! That scenario would sure do physical harm today:>)

The day started off badly. People were acting like the elevators were a NY subway. They were in such a hurry they had the ***** to step over my children to get on an elevator. Yep, stepped over 2 wheelchairs. One kid with a freshly operated on raised leg! After waiting our turn (for more than 30 minutes) and having been stepped over 4 times, I finally yelled out "STOP RIGHT THERE" and ordered everyone to back away. Even made a few get out of the elevator and scolded every one of the thoughtless jackasses. We got on the elevator and I pushed the button. Coulda heard a pin drop. After nearly 4 hours, the appointment we waited for took all of 5 minutes and could have been handled with a postcard.

David,

I'd still be waiting at the elevator if I were the angel you've been ;>) Hang in there. It has to improve from here!

swim

Definitely no angel, swim, I can assure you of that. lol.