ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: JDJ925 on March 08, 2006, 12:27:21 pm
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I'm going in to the Hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Surgery scheduled for 7:30 am. They have the O.R. reserved for 6 hours; but we've been warned that these procedures can sometimes take 10 hours, and occasionaly up to 13 hours.
I was at TGH for six hours yesterday for pre-op. That consisted of filling out the same information for four different filing clerks, talking to the anesthesiologist & the sugreon's P.A., and giving blood & urine samples. Should've only taken 45 minutes. But I suppose I don't want to start a thread on patients' experiences with the inefficiencies of hospital administration; I fear it would unleash a hurricane of repressed indignation that would overwhelm the levies of self-restraint and submerge us all.
But I digress. When I am able, I will write here to report on the outcome of the surgery. I have been reading what others have written following their operations, and have found it to be extremely helpful in my preparation.
I don't quite know how to express what I'm feeling; but it's as if the life that I have known is ending. That's not necessarily a bad thing. My life will be different, that's all. Kind of like when you move out of a home you've been in for a long time; you don't want to leave the security that comes with familiarity. But, sometimes fate shoves you into a new phase of your life without asking your permission.
See you on the other side.
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Good Luck JDJ925!!! I will be showering you with good thoughts!!!! I'm guessing I'll be doing the same thing you are in early July. I should find out on the 20th. I'll be keeping a close eye out for you post-op on the boards. I'd guess that the life you know isn't ending, it's just a new chapter. I will happily eat my words after my surgery if what I say now is a hunk of bull since I don't know yet.
Wishing you and your family/loved ones a good day tomorrow!
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JD - You are in my thought and prayers. After tomarrow you will be able to put the hardest part of this whole ordeal behind you. You are going into this with the right frame of mind and acceptance that things are going to be a little different. I love your analogy about familiarity, SO TRUE! ÂÂ
Sending a hug your way and wishes for a speedy recovery.  Keep us posted!
take care,
matti
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Best of luck to you--you will be in my thoughts & prayers. I know exactly how you are feeling--my surgery was not that long ago-Feb 17. You will do fine. Trust in your doctors.
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Best of luck JD. When you get a chance let us know how you did. Great analogies!
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Good Luck!!! I hope your recovery progress' quickly.
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Best wishes to you..........you'll be in my thoughts!
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JD,
Sending you LOTS of good energy for a successful procedure tomorrow! You betcha... see you on the other side.. down the hill to recovery! Be well and hang tough!
Phyllis
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Good luck to you!!!! You won't know how long your surgery is but your family sure will. Make sure they know it could take 6 hours or 13! :) See you on the other side in the new normal.
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Good luck
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best of luck tomorrow - we all will be thinking of you and sending lots of strength and prayers
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JD had had his surgery and we are all axniously awaiting news! He had said he was going to be staying with his parents for a few weeks recovery and didn't know if their computer would work properly to update us....he was like me and had to go across the state for surgery and wanted to be able to handle the trek back across state. I know he's missing his girls as this was the first time he's been away from his kids...
Ok, we're ready for an update so JD Hurry it up!
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JDJ
I love what you said about fate shoving us into a new phase of our life without asking our permission. I will definitely be hanging onto that one.
You are in a lot of thoughts and prayers today including mine.
Be strong and be well and give us a post when your head stops spinning!
Love and Good Thoughts
Captain Deb
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Good Luck Today..We''ll Be Right Here Waiting For You "On The Other Side" :D Your Courage & Mind Over Matter Attitude Will Help You Overcome All Obstacles. Love Your Title "Let's Roll" ... I'm Really Looking Forward To Hearing From You Again But In The Meantime Take Good Care Of Yourself And "Roll With It".
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Good luck JD with your surgery. I will keep you in my prayers!
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JD,
Hope it all went well.
Larry
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Thanks Judy!! Please know we're here for you two. His surgery was a success as he's alive but we all know he's got a long road ahead of him.
sending {{{{warm hugs and loads of prayer}}}} your way!
Tell him to keep fighting!!
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Hi Judy and Jeff
Glad to hear Jeff is doing well. We are here for you with lots of experience, strength and hope. Keep us posted on your progress.
Here is a great tip for when you bring him home--Baby Shampoo! He can shower with it without closing his eyes (closing your eyes makes the shower spin really bad) Another tip--dining chairs! My cousin had quite a spacious living room I had to cross to get to my room and she lined up her dining room chairs as a pathway to hold onto.We placed a few in strategic open areas as well.
A fellow I was at House Ear with ran his third marathon since his surgery(Jan 03) this year--so there is lots of hope out there.
Keep us posted
Captain Deb 8)
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Jeff and Judie,
So glad to hear you made it out the other side....I'll be thinking lots of happy recovery thoughts for you both!!!!!! Keep your spirits up, it's just a roadblock that you will make it by. Look forward to hearing back from you guys, keep us posted!!!
Gennysmom
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Judie - Thank you for letting us know how Jeff is doing. He has been in my prayers. I know this is a difficult time for you as well, I know my husband used to tell me how scared and helpless he felt. Just know that Jeff will be fine, he was realistic and very positive going in to this and I know he will have a good recovery.
You are awseome Judie!
Hugs to you and Jeff
matti
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Judith: my children were 3 and 6 when I had surgery last fall and they were great. They had rules like: if my door was open they are welcome to join me in bed, if closed do not disturb unless told to wake me by my husband....no jumping around me, my daughter quickly remember which leg she couldn't sit on, and they quickly acepted I couldn't wrestle. My children were well prepared pre-op and were just fine.
Make sure he gets lots of rest, if the "noise" level of your household gets on his nerves had him try putting cotton in the ears to help deminish the noise. Mostly just take your clues from him and encourage him to speak up. Kathleen
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Hi Judie and Jeff,
Oh, great news and 1/2 the battle is won! Let's get Jeff home, situated, comfortable and yes, with time, with love, with support (gawd knows we are all in cheerleader outfits for you all), Jeff is going to do great! :)
Please send my congrats to Jeff. And Judie, sending you and the kids hugs as well. :)
Phyllis
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Hey I say it's time to throw a party and celebrate Jeff being out of the hospital...YIPPEEE FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST!
Judith in case Jeff has forgotten to tell you lately ...YOU ARE AWESOME!! being a patient isn't easy but I think being a caretaker is worse. Don't forget to take care of yourself! Keep us posted :D
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Yeah, what batty said. My husband was a great caretaker, it meant alot. something he thought of for me, which was much appreciated, was a chair I could sit on in the shower so I didn't have to stand (balance was really bad). I actually had a "shower/tub" chair, but you could use anything that works! That first shower in your own home is the best!
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The shower chair is great, but an upsidedown 5 gallon bucket works, too.
Captain Deb
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Upside down bucket is a great idea, but put something on it first, those pointy plastic edges can be rough on your hiney! lol
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Is that where those scratches came from? My head hurt so bad I didn't notice!!
lol yerself!
8)
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Oh took me a while to figure out what you were doing with that bucket ;D
Yeah I vaguely remember my first shower. I know I had a shower chair because it's still in there. I remember my gf coming over and throwing me in there because my mom was too scared to. She's a chiro and wasn't freaked with my lovely head.