For all the hairy guys, girls?

[Ozmercy]

Well, I am still ticking and the aneurysm is stable. I had a angio cat scan and all looks well. No growth of the aneurysm and everything is good. Still have transient pains that seem to be related to my acid-reflux. A good burp sends them away. I am doing a much better job of laying low. Tomorrow I go in for pre-op (a week early!) but I am so ready. I have been staying off the posts for the most part lately but I have been here watching and reading. I am so glad everyone seems to be doing well.

I have a bit of a wierd question and it is for the hairy guys that have one of those God given sweaters like I do. I guess any of the ladies can answer as well, but if you are speaking from experience, that would be really sad (haha). Did any of you shave yourself or do laser or anything like that. I can imagine the itching from being dry shaved by the nurse would be almost as miserable as the pain after a week or so. Any suggestions?

One other question I would like to bring my ipod and keep it with me to the last moment. Do you think I can keep it until I go into the operating room? Or should I give it to the wife when I am wheeled away from her? I wouldn't want to lose it, but I get much comfort from worship music.

I am making a list of things to bring and got much off of the post that Deenabobeno started awhile ago. I alos have printed up maps and where to park for friends. Cedars is in Beverly Hills and it can cost $10. to park and visit if you don't park in the right place. What a scam the whole parking lot thing is. Oh well any other suggestions as I am in the batters box as of tomorrow.

One last thing I have some friends flying in on Fri. to pray with us and just hang out (what great friends, 12 hrs of flying to spend one full day and a couple of nights with us) but after they leave (Sun.) I am going to seclude myself mostly to home the last couple of days since I don't want to run the risk of a cold or something impeding my going in. Is that being overly cautious? Any suggestions?

 

[Kate]

Hi Ozmercy,
I can't help you out with the chest hair question (happily ) but perhaps with the ipod. When I had my surgery, they allowed me to bring a walkman in with me. In theory, I was listening to music throughout the procedure, although of course I only remember the first few minutes of it. However, it was very comforting to have with me when I was in ICU (my mom actually taped herself reading one of my favorite books from when I was a kid and I listened to that over and over again.) For a few reasons I'd recommend going with a low tech tape walkman over an IPOD - they are more durable so it won't break if it gets knocked to the floor, good batteries will last longer than the ipod charge (which will only go about 8 continual hours) and, in the unlikely event that it gets lost, you're only out $30. Of course, this means you'll be listening to the same tape over and over (make sure you get one that will automatically switch to the next side) but, honestly, you won't care. Most of the time you'll be asleep and the rest of the time you'll be so doped up it won't matter. Best of luck! Kate

 

[Georgia]

Hey, Oz! Good to see you.

How 'bout you go in for a chest wax - that ought to take your mind off ohs for a little while!

I think Kate has the right idea about the sounds, including the value of the iPod - I never thought about that before. But there are a lot of sticky fingers in a hospital.

Maybe you can ask around to find out if they'll let you keep it with you into the OR as they did Kate.

I found my cd player to be invaluable for reducing stress in the intensive care unit. Very noisy, scared me a lot (because of the layout, could hear the other patients; and many people, I've found, are very noisy coming out of anesthetic). My Mozart cured all my fears!

 

[DeWayne]

All I will say is my suregery is tomorrow and I just finished shaving myself a few hours ago lol. I asked them at presurgery if I should do it and she said that would be just fine and showed me the area I needed to shave.

Good luck next week with your surgery, I will be thinking about you as I am in recovery!

 

[RandyL]

I also shaved myself the day before, just figured it would be easier

 

[ClickerTicker]

Not actually chest hair, but pretty much the most painful part of my surgery and stay in hospital was the changing of the dressings around the central line feed to my neck. For those of you that don't know, a central line is stitched into the jugular(?) vein in the neck - giving a short path to the heart. Mine had three lumens hanging off it that could be used to either squirt stuff in or draw blood. They are mostly used for patients on heavy duty antibiotics as that stuff can really mess up your arm veins - also great for having multiple blood draws as there's no piercing each time.
Anyhow, my central line was left for almost a month additionally secured with very sticky clear dressing ("opsite"?). By the time they re-dressed it my beard had well and truly grown into the sticky stuff....

 

[Lynlw]

just so you know not all OHS have the neck line, (justin never did) so that's a could question to ask your surgeon
also if you are going to shave ask if your groin area will need shaved too or if you are having a cath ,Lyn

 

[Liz]

Coming up to bat

Coming up to bat

Quite a feeling, isn't it, being in the batter's box! We know that you will keep your eye on the ball and get a solid hit - remember you don't have to hit a home run, just be patient and get yourself on base and you can work your way back to home from there.

On shaving, fortunately I don't have any personal experience to share!

On music, here is what we did - I borrowed my daughter's CD Walkman (chose over ipod for same reasons Kate mentioned), my husband burned a couple CDs with my favorite relaxing/focusing music (like Georgia, it was all Mozart for me). We figured better to bring copies rather than originals in case the CDs got lost (which they didn't so now they are souveniers). When we met with the anesthesiologist at the pre-op, I asked about music and he said that during my set-up they would play whatever I wanted on the operating room CD player. So they played my Mozart CDs during set-up, and it turned out during part of the surgery too even though the surgeon had said beforehand that he likes it quiet during surgery so no music. Like others have mentioned, I found music very helpful in the ICU environment, and it turned out that the ICU rooms had just had DVD/CD players installed so I didn't have to use the Walkman there either. I used it a ton, though, when I got to the recovery ward - I had a couple CDs of specifically relaxation music (Steven Halpern), and I'd put that on with the headphones and it really helped me with naps and sleeping at night, especially after being woken up and midnight and 4:00 am (and sometimes 5:00 am) for vital signs, blood draws, etc. (the hospital is not a very restful environment).

As for how to spend the couple days before surgery, I'd say just follow your heart. From reading the boards you've probably seen that some people really like to get out and do things that they know they won't be able to do for awhile, and that seems to work great for them. My inclination was more like yours - I wanted to stay close to home and pretty quiet, both to avoid any chance of catching a bug, but also just to really get prepared within myself for the challenging time ahead.

You know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you, and we'll be looking for updates as you feel like posting (or can have someone post for you).

Go slugger!
Liz

 

[Johnny Stephens]

The regrowth of the chest hair was actually not a big deal and I don't recall any discomfort at all. I think a lot of it has to do with the care taken during the shave - if they rush it and scrape you up, irritation and itching would seem more likely.

That said, who told you they were going to "dry shave" you? I can't imagine that is actually how they'll do it. I had a tech with lather and a BIC and it was smooth as could be.

 

[MikeHeim]

I'm pretty furry in the chest area, but for some reason the hair growing back didn't bother me. I did not shave myself as a part of the pre-op prep. I figured that for $100K, it should be part of the package. Can't help you with the ipod thing.

BTW, you're getting off easy for $10 for parking. I believe over in Westwood it was $15.

Best wishes.

 

[Marguerite53]

Oh, you Californians and your ways!! Parking fees? Not in Oregon!! At my hospital it can get tough to find a place to park and so they have drive up valet service....no charge!!

Everyone's experience is so different! I wasn't in CICU that long (27 hours) and I hardly remember any of it. They either gave me medications that promote temporary amnesia, or they had me completely out of it, as I'd asked them to have me (I believe I was given a choice beforehand at pre-op?) Once in my own room, though, and when family had left for a meal, or for the night, my iPod was my best friend. I just loved having my own music (as the television was all info-mercials). I also loved my deck of cards. Solitaire! It was so much more comfortable for me sitting up in a chair than being in that hospital bed. Kept me busy. Matched the monotony quite well.

All in all, as I reviewed my experience with my family a few weeks afterwards, the only thing I would have changed was how I said good-bye to them when they wheeled me away. They get really busy with you (I have virtually no hair but the shaving part was very professional and not dry!) getting you prepped. I was first surgery of the day and so there was a very tight system in motion. My husband and daughter were lovely and hung out with me (except for the shave!). When it was time to wheel me out, the thing I would have changed was to have spent just a few more moments looking into their eyes, holding their hands, or something.....connecting. I felt like I let myself be whisked away. We talked about it afew months afterwards, and we all agreed it was better the way it happened, since it would have been an emotional meltdown, otherwise. But, still. I don't feel, in retrospect, as if I gave them enough as I was headed out. This was way more difficult for them than it was for me. I guess I'm saying this to you because I really want you to know that that peace we all speak of really does come over you. You don't want to be fiddling with a machine and earplugs as you pull away. You might want the human connection.

As I've said before, I think... there was a moment when I felt somewhat overcome with emotion as they were wheeling me down the halls. I quickly focused any alert sensation.....looked at the wonderfully rich color of a green exit sign. Felt the changing room temperatures on my skin, listened to the creaking wheels and the friendly chatter way down the hall...... remembered how rich life was in the simple things. Personally, those connections kept me calm and optimistic. Everyone is different. I just wanted to share my little ways. And give you an alternative, in case the hospital has persnickity rules.

As far as the germ thing goes. You need people around you, you're a people person! Just wash your hands a lot!! I mean, a lot!!! I also used a little bottle of anti-germ lotion in the car. That way, everytime I'd been out touching handrails, grocery carts and whatever, I could sit in the car, swoosh my hands clean and then not worry about it. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands. Just don't! I also upped my vitamin C intake (but check with a doctor if you are thinking of making any changes!). And I avoided movie theaters, libraries, etc.... Keeping stress free (ha, well, trying!!) and well rested and properly fed are your best bets! Remember.......breathe! Exhale. breathe. It's good for you!

Am keeping you in mind! This is an exciting time. You'll do great!

Marguerite

 

[marky]

No help with the shaving part.. For me I recall all the tape on my arms as uncomfortable as anything..
As for the IPod.. I did not have anything.. My husband stayed with me till they gave me the wonderful Versed in Pre-Op.. and wheeled me away.. I remember NOTHING.. not he OR or even being wheeled in.. they were pretty good about not wanting me to remember.

Once in the CICU I don't think music would have made a difference.. my mom and dh were with me and at night the nurses were in so much and I was still quite disoriented.

Once I got on the floor however I loved having my cd player.. I too loved listening to praise and worship..it calmed me through the night..

As for your friends... WHAT great friends!!! Enjoy and treasure that time as I am sure you will. Then your plan to take time to reflect and be alone.. sounds fine.. everyone prepares in their own way..

You will do fine..! Praying for you!

 

[tobagotwo]

I did some of the shaving. They only needed a trim in the pubic area, to keep hair away from the cath site. The chest hair was itchy growing back, and I really resented every time they re-shaved parts of it for ECG patches and for the echoes. The patches made it look like I had mange.

I didn't have a line to the neck, so I can sympathize, but not empathize. The worst was trying to wash with that dad-blasted brown soap with a line already going into the back of one hand.

Toward the end of my stay, the line slipped, and I had a Mickey Mouse mitt for a hand before I realized it was ballooning up. The nurse who came to reset it looked me straight in the eye and said, "You know, you can refuse to have this put back in..." I took the hint. They didn't need it by that point.

Two thoughts:

Find out if they use a clip on the vent tube. If so, ask them to use tape instead. It works just as well, and the clip will leave you with a fat lip for a couple of days. Little things do count.

I asked for patient-controlled Fentanyl, instead of Morphine. It's just as good a pain reliever (it's a close cousin, also narcotic), but usually doesn't cause the drowsiness and nausea, nor the famous "morphine constipation." If you do this, ask for it ahead of time, as it may take time to set up.

Best wishes,

 

[Cynaburst]

Randy, I e-mailed you directly about this, but for the benefit of everyone else,there was a guy on the HCMA bulletin board (www.4HCM.org) who had the same OH surgery that I am having, a myectomy. He like you thought that it would be a good idea to shave ahead of time. He did, and then he got folliculitis on his chest (an infected hair follicle from shaving). He had to have his surgery postponed because they were afraid of the infection spreading. So, my advice to you, is let the experts do it and avoid possible problems.

 

[tobagotwo]

I wonder how many incision infections are actually outgrowths rolleyes: ) of shaved hair? Might be more than we think. Anyway, I'm not sure many will argree that the nurses have any great depth of shaving expertise.

It's not as much the expertise as it is the timing. If it's done just the night before, followed by the nasty brown soap, it doesn't have time to develop into an infection before surgery.

Best wishes,

 

[OldManEmu]

Shaving

Shaving

I was handed a shaver by the nurse and told to go and shave my body from the navel to the neck, and she would inspect it to see if I had done a good enough job. I passed inspection! Being somewhat hairy I found the regrowth not a good experience. I was still having problems with ingrown hairs along the incision line many months post surgery.

 

[RandyL]

I was handed a shaver by the nurse and told to go and shave my body from the navel to the neck, and she would inspect it to see if I had done a good enough job. I passed inspection! Being somewhat hairy I found the regrowth not a good experience. I was still having problems with ingrown hairs along the incision line many months post surgery.

Me Too! Been 6 months and I still get ingrown hairs

 

[Ozmercy]

talked with a PA about the shaving

talked with a PA about the shaving

The PA I talked to during my pre-op said that they do not use a razor like a bic any more and they use an electric razor and just shave it down to nubs. They have found that it doesn't have to be a perfect clean smooth shave. So she recommended I take my electric razor trimmer to it and then clean with the betadine and then they can do more in the prep room if necessary. I like that idea. Cynaburst's warning is worth heeding and I will only use the electric then they can do more if needed.

Thanks for all the advice. I am looking for my old CD player to use before surgery and will wait to bring the ipod in till I am in my private room and am more aware. I love music and find it so soothing.

I posted to my website about my pre-op day. My poor wife got sick and threw up after donating blood for me. She is such a trooper. We have had a bit of difference of opinion on people coming to the waiting room. My wife is a quiet introverted person and I am a people person. Many of our friends want to come to the waiting room to be supportive, but Lori doesn't want to feel like she has to talk to everyone etc. I won't be aware of anything so i told her whatever she wants, but on the other hand people come to these things not just for the person in surgery, but also for themselves. They feel comfort in being there and being a part of the process. We decided that two friends are going to come and stay with Lori and be the liasons to everyone else. I understand Lori's struggle and know that she prefers to go through her struggles in solitude whereas I would prefer to be in a room full of friends. I hate to tell people they can't come, but I intend to tell them that I won't be aware of there being there and Lori will be wanting to be reading and be quiet. Everything should be okay.

Randy

 

[OldManEmu]

Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown Hairs

Randy I know what you are experiencing I think it was close to 6 months before I was clear of the ingrown hair problem. Ozmercy I wasn't given a Bic style razor I was given an electric razor with a disposable head. However I still had to shave myself and present for inspection to the nurse.

 

[Liz]

Re Lori

Re Lori

My husband felt the same way, he wanted to be in a very quiet space and not have to interact with people much. That made sense to me because I knew I would be drawing on his energy all through the surgery because we are so connected. The hospital we were in had a meditation room, and as soon as he saw it he knew that is where he wanted to be. You might find out if your hospital has such a room, I think most do. It was quiet, dimly lit, had comfortable chairs, a fountain, and cushions on the floor. It was perfect for my family. The surgery staff were very clear with us about when was the earliest the surgeon would come out to talk to my family, and where he would meet them (the CV surgery waiting room). So they just made sure to be at that place well in advance so they were there when the surgeon came to speak to them. Maybe your friends could wait in the waiting room and Lori (and any other introverts in your family) could wait in the meditation room/chapel if your hospital has one. You might also find out about the CVICU policy - they told us that when they let the family/friends in, they wanted everybody to come in at once at the beginning even if it was a big group, so they could explain everything. Then 2 people for 10 minutes each hour, and only immediate family. That was the policy but they let my husband stay with me pretty much nonstop, said he was helpful rather than in the way. And it was no problem for our 'friends who are like family' to come in. But it was completely at the discretion of the CVICU staff.

Please let Lori know that she is in our thoughts and prayers as well. As many have said on this site, in some ways it seems harder on the family than the person going through surgery.

Good luck!
Liz