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Any last minute advice?

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Posted 5/8/2007 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Curt's surgery is Friday. Does anyone have any last minute advice for us?

Thanks to all of you for being here!

Vicky
Posted 5/8/2007 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Vicky and Curt,
I think you are both ready and know what to expect but please speak out and ask questions of the physicians if you do not understand. Vicky, you will be the one that has to listen closely as Curt may not remember what he is told as he may be foggy.
I wish you both peace. My prayers will be offered for you.
A wise man once said:
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.
Abraham Lincoln, 16th US president
You will make this procedure successful and healing.

Gentle Hugs
Posted 5/8/2007 2:42 PM (GMT 0)

Curt & Vicky,

I've had many surgeries involving general anesthesia.  I feel the two most important things are:

  • Get up and walk (with catheter & IV) ASAP.  A little more each time - several times a day.  Keep walking daily until you are back to yourself again.
  • Start drinking a lot of water as soon as the doctor allows it.  The more you drink for the next several months the better (except maybe when you get the catheter pulled and you want to learn the "new discipline..."), as drinking more water will help flush the anesthesia out of your system.  I feel a subtle mental grogginess for several months after general anesthesia - but then I get drunk on one beer..... :->

I agree with Kitt.  It always helps to have a family member in the hospital room to be there when the physician comes in.    While they are there they can also: answer the phone, empty the foley bag, help reach for items, and generally put the nursing staff's mind at ease as they focus on their tasks. 

(Kitt, I enjoy your quotes.  Thanks for the encouraging words! tongue   They mean a lot to me.)

Keeping you in good thoughts.  ICTHUS

CCedar

Posted 5/8/2007 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Vicky and Curt

First Good luck as to any last minute advice. Bring patience, a sense of humor and understanding. If it Goes for you like it went for me you won't even think a second has gone by and it will be over. I'm sure you will get through it with flying colors. Once you get home gets some good reading material and movies to watch daytime TV is the pits. for vicky get something to eat during the operation and get some sleep he will need you at your best and this is just as stressful on you as it is on him. My wife was as good as gold and I'm very grateful she was there.

Once again good luck

Alex
Posted 5/8/2007 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Vickie and Curt,

Keep a notebook handy-for keeping notes and those "last-minute" questions that pop-up so you remember to ask everything at discharge, etc.

I brought a book, but just ended up just reading the same paragraph over and over. So maybe bring some of your own magazines (then can leave behind for others in the waiting room). The ones in the waiting room aren't always that great. I wish I would have brought a few of my own magazines, because I couldn't really focus on the plot line of my book and reading three issues of "pregancy and health" is kinda useless when THAT ain't gonna be happening :).

I would definitely recommend picking up your post-surgery meds beforehand, if you haven't already.

All our best wishes and postive thoughts are with you!

Tanya and Ken
Posted 5/8/2007 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
No advise For you Curt and Vicky but thoughts and prayers are with you both for a safe surgery and a wonderful outcome.

God Bless, Vickie / Paul
Posted 5/8/2007 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Curt & Vicky,

I'm sure you're mostly prepared.

One thing I think is helpful...meditate in whatever way you feel comfortable with. Be still, do slow, deep breathing and focus on what brings you joy. No, it's not always easy and takes some practice but it's well worth it.

We'll be thinking of you and looking for your good outcome.

Peace,
Susan
Posted 5/8/2007 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys- I had my surgery last friday the 4th. My only advice is to be patient and do what the nurses tell you. Dont be shy of the pain meds. and relaize its gonna take a little while to get to 100%. I wish you speedy recovery god bless. Peace Pete
Posted 5/8/2007 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Curt & Vicky,

I am sure that you have already read all of the post about what to have with you. If you can get as much rest as possible before Friday, actually before Thursday. The prep and anxiety kept me up all night before surgery and the night after surgery there was too much going on to sleep so I just got up and walked all night. The third night though I slept like a baby.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers on Friday.

Tamu
Posted 5/9/2007 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Curt & Vicky,

All the above is great advice... I only remember being wheeled into the operating room and then waking up in the recovery room. Avis always wanted to be by my bedside, and I really had to talk her into going to the cafeteria and getting something to eat. As we were 40 miles away from home, we had also rented a room in a hotel attached to the hospital for two nights.. the night before the operation and the second nite so Avis would have a quiet place to sleep. I sent her to the room around 10pm. Vicky, take good care of yourself in both eating and sleeping to stay healthy and alert... as that will enable you to give the best support you can to Curt!

I was pretty awake the nite after the operation, with all the hospital noises from the hall and somebody across the hall having a tough time coughing all night. The 2am nurse partially shut the room door and then I got some good sleep. I would have asked this earlier if I knew it could be done. I also lucked out by being the only person in a double room. I also never read any of the books I brought. In and out so fast, I never had time too!

We had a 6:30 pre-surgery chenk-in, operation started at 8:30-8:40, recovery room at 11:10am. I had got up and walked around at 7pm and 11pm the night after the operation and again at 8am the next day. Doctor's assistants came by at aropund 7am and the doctor at 8am to check in on how I was doing. We were discharged at 11:30am and drove home.

Make sure you get some good directions and training from the nurses on the catheter bag... How to support/fasten, how much fluids you should be passing, what problems to watch out for. They had a "catheter instruction sheet" for checkout, and we just added our other notes and answers to our questions to it so it was all in one place. They should give you a leg bag and "big" bag for night. I never did like the leg bag and used the big bag all the time. I would near fill a 2 liter big bag over a long night, so we bought a 4 liter bag ($12) at a pharmacy for uninterupted sleep. We also bought some velcro style straps that minimized the taping we had to do/redo. And lubrication for the end of the penis as the catheter will move in/out a little while walking.

As mentioned above, it is good to get your go home prescriptions early... pain killer and stool softeners... I had Percoset (sp) which was tylenol and oxy-codeine (sp?) for pain and Ducoset (sp?) for stool softener (while taking narcotic pain killers)... I switched to plain Tylenol after 3-4 days home.

And it is handy to have a small pillow around to hold tightly against your stomach in case you need to sneeze, cough, or laugh!!!

Take care and wishing you the best...

God Bless!

Ray & Avis
Posted 5/9/2007 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I would keep a notepad handy to have someone write down what the Dr. says when he visit's you. You can write down any questions you may have also. Make sure to get a Big cath bag to take home too. I didn't and wished I would have. Take it easy and don't rush back to doing anything. Give your body time to heal. Talk the wife (if married) into the new Hi-Def TV if you don't have one already....I did...heheheh

Good luck,

KW
Posted 5/9/2007 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I'm going to make notes of your notes to put in my purse so I don't forget certain things.
We are leaving tomorrow and spending the night before surgery in the hospital hotel at Univ. of Mich.
We were both up and awake at 3:30 this morning. Ack! We're having a problem with a recliner that we bought last month specifically for Curt's recovery and have been getting the run around. I ended up blowing my stack on the phone at the furniture company yesterday. They are supposed to follow through this morning at 9:00 a.m., so I am trying to chill out. We did buy Patrick Walsh's book and I am finding a lot of useful information in that. I know now that all we can do is move forward and beyond.....
Thanks again for your support and prayers. This group has made things so much easier.
Vicky & Curt
Posted 5/9/2007 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Vicky & Curt - All the best to you both; you will be in our prayers and we look forward to your posts with the surgery behind you.

;o) Bob & Linda
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