Surgery Tomorrow!

[nashvillewife]

My husband is scheduled to have translab tomorrow at Vanderbilt with Drs. Haynes/Thompson.  If anyone has any last minute words of wisdom to share as I prepare to navigate this strange new world, I would be grateful! 

I'm a little slow in getting this posted, but have been trying to get work caught up before being out of the office for a few weeks.  Luckily (?), my inlaws are in town to help keep my 9-year old on her regular school and extra-curricular activity schedule. 

[Lilan]

My best advice is try not to worry too much the first days/week. So much is going on then that is worrying, but dissipates quickly. Just get through it and know that things will rapidly improve!

[jaylogs]

Good luck you guys!! The only bit of wisdom I can think of is if possible, see if you can stay with him the first night he moves out of ICU.  My wife did and it was definitely helpful.  He definitely won't need a lot of things to do after surgery, like reading and such...so I wouldn't bother take a lot of things with you into the hospital like that.  The only thing I really brought was a comfy pillow, a robe, some pajama bottoms and slippers.  Maybe some lip balm.  Do a search on here for what to bring, this subject has been brought up a lot!  Keep us posted...oh, if you can, tell us what kind of surgery he's having and how big his AN is.  Our prayers are with you all!
Jay

[leapyrtwins]

In-laws or not, you'll be thankful you have them there to help with your daughter.  Keeping her routine normal while your husband goes through surgery and recovery will make things infinitely easier for all of you.  My twins were 10 when I had my surgery and keeping them "on task" with their daily routine was key to their emotional well-being; made them worry less about me.

Last words of wisdom.  Tell your husband to rely on the faith and trust he has in his doctors.  He has no control over this "situation", he should just try to remember that they have done this numerous times before and they will do their best.  He shouldn't second-guess his treatment decision or his choice of doctors; he should find a level of confidence and stick with it.  Recovery takes time - patience is key.  Many days, especially the first ones, will be hard, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel - and it tends to get brighter as time goes on.

As a caregiver you will at times have a harder job than he does - especially tomorrow, when all he has to do is sleep 

Take care of yourself, while you are taking care of him; let your in-laws take care of you when you need a break.  Accept any and all offers of help - and don't be afraid to ask others outright for it.  Most people you know will be more than happy to help you out - generally all you have to do is ask.

Tell your husband we are praying for him - and please update us on his progress when you can.

Best,

Jan 

[GRACE1]

Best of luck to both of you tomorrow.  Keep us posted.

Grace

[lori67]

Your husband will be in good hands - Dr. Haynes is awesome!

I"ll be thinking of you both tomorrow and hoping to hear some news.  I believe you still have my phone number and direct e-mail if you need someone to talk to - but I'll PM it to you just in case.  

You have the hard job tomorrow.  I had my actual AN surgery at Baptist but I had something else done at Vandy and they are very good about keeping you informed on the progress in the OR.  Bring a book or something to keep you occupied.

Pack some slippers, chapstick and some sunglasses for the ride home!

Good luck and both of you take a deep breath.....relax......
Lori

[nashvillewife]

Thanks everyone who's replied so far!! Some very good advice all around...and I so appreciate the kind words and knowing that others in the AN community will be thinking of us tomorrow.  To answer Jay's question - his AN is 2-2.5 cm and he'll be having the translab procedure. 

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Nashville ~

Welcome!  I offer you my very best wishes (and prayers) for your husband as he undergoes Translab AN surgery on Tuesday.  He's in good hands, I'm certain.

Jim

[tenai98]

Best of luck and a speedy recovery for your hubby.
<jo

[pjb]

My prayers and thoughts will be with the both of you. I brought alot of things for my 5 day hospital stay and didn't use any of it I was only able to get up on the day I was leaving so I was in a hospital gown the whole time and the hospital provided the toiletries so I did not even use my own. Pack lightly so that you do not have to carry it around if it is not needed one less thing for you to worry about also.

Best Wishes,

Pat

[Kiwi Don]

Hi Nshville,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for the upcoming surgery, please keep us posted so we can provide support as needed.
All my best wishes and prayers

Kiwi Don

[Lynn Mc]

Thoughts & Prayers with all of you.

Lynn

[Debbi]

Will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way tomorrow.  I still believe that my husband had the hardest job in all of this - I was passed out in the OR with a tube hanging out of my mouth  while he was sitting in the waiting room worrying.   

I agree w/PJB - all the stuff I had my hubby bring to the hospital went unused.  I never got out of my hospital gown.  On that note, you may want to make sure your hubby has some sort of very loose fitting pants for the trip home.  My fat graft incision was exactly where the waistband of my pants were so I rode home with my pants unzipped.  Very charming, I'm sure.

Let us know how he's doing, okay?  And, make sure to breath.

Debbi