Surgery Date is SET

[Kathy M]

Today is the day I'm printing out the list of things to take to the hospital and going shopping - thanks for that list!!!  Does anyone who had a retrosigmoid surgery have any suggestions on a good pillow?  Mine is really soft, very fluffable, but no support - I'm a side sleeper.  I've seen all kinds of variations of pillows at stores, but there's too many options!

Thoughts??

Kathy

[leapyrtwins]

Kathy -

I had retrosigmoid.   

The first few days in the hospital you'll probably have the ever-so-lovely mastoid bandage wrapped tightly around your head, which IMO makes it impossible to sleep on your side.   Although I'm a side sleeper, I had to sleep on my back because that was the only way I could get semi-comfortable.  Sleeping on my back for a time also seemed to help my stiff neck feel better. 

I'd look for a nice, firm pillow with support.

Eventually I was able to go back to sleeping on my side and I started off sleeping on my "good" side until your AN side healed - which was several weeks.  Once my AN side wasn't so sensitive I switched to sleeping on it so that my good ear is not against the pillow.  I've found that if my good ear is to the pillow I miss lots of stuff - telephone and alarm ringing mostly.

When I really want a good night's sleep - and I don't need to hear an alarm - I always sleep on my "good" side; makes for a better night's sleep.

That's my two cents worth,

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Today is the day I'm printing out the list of things to take to the hospital and going shopping - thanks for that list!!!  Does anyone who had a retrosigmoid surgery have any suggestions on a good pillow?  Mine is really soft, very fluffable, but no support - I'm a side sleeper.  I've seen all kinds of variations of pillows at stores, but there's too many options!  Thoughts?

Kathy:

I underwent the retrosigmoid approach surgery.  The large and too-tight headwrap is a burden but can be cut a bit (by your doctor) to loosen it and if you implore your doctor, as I did, he'll probably remove it in a few days (3, in my case).  I can sleep on anything but, like the inestimable Jan ('leapyrtwins'), I'm a side-sleeper and it was tricky sleeping on only one side, but I managed.  The 'AN side' (my left) was sensitive for about 4-6 months, but eventually healed and I now sleep on that side with no problem.  For a pillow, I would choose one that is firm but not 'hard'.  However, each of us probably has their own definition of what constitutes 'firm' (or soft) so I would guess that, whatever others may choose or recommend, in the final analysis, you'll have to decide for yourself, which is usually the best course to take, anyway.  I hope you find the pillow of your dreams.   

Jim

[MAlegant]

Kathy,
Believe it or not, I actually got a pregnancy pillow wedge that prevents you from turning onto your side (just one side but that's all I needed).  That plus my good foam pillow were great.  I still can't sleep on my AN side but that's more because of the increased numbness on that side.  The neck wrap that you could heat up in the microwave helped me as well.  All of these things for home.  In the hospital I used what they gave me and the bed had very good support as did the pillow.  Hope you do great!
Marci

[sgerrard]

Best wishes, Kathy!

You also made it into the weekly update from LADavid: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=8468.0

We are with you. I'm sure Kristin is too. See you back soon!

Steve

[leapyrtwins]

Good luck, Kathy.

I'll be praying for you.  See you soon as a postie! 

Jan