Last minute stuff

[Trish]

This time tomorrow, I'll be in the OR and all my jitters will be gone.

For now, I'm concentrating on practical things. I packed a small bag with my own slippers and robe, and necessaries for the hospital stay. I figure I'll have it brought in the next day. I'm also packing a bag for my children to bring up for me when it's time to come home.
Any suggestions for that?

I live alone so I want the kids to be able to find whatever I tell them I need. Having my son dig through my brassieres to find an appropriate one would traumatize him. And my daughter would make him do it just for the laugh.

I'm going out for a family "celebration" today but I read about eating light here so I will. Thanks for that tip, too. I've learned so much from all of you that I'm calmer than I thought possible.

I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

Trish

 

[Phyllis]

Sounds like you have it all together, Trish and are starting to experience the "calm" before surgery. We anxiously await all good results. Godspeed!

 

[marie]

In the hospital i used my robe, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and lip balm. I used the hospital gowns and put a robe over that to do my walking. To come home in I wore sweats and a button down blouse with a jacket since it was cold.
Are you going to be home alone? If so put stuff you may need at arms reach so that you don't have to open cabinets and reach in.
Good luck Earline

 

[DebbyA]

Hi Trish,
It sounds like you're really ready. Having had my AVR about 1 1/2 weeks ago, I suggest taking Chapstick. Also because of fluid gain, I could not get my feet into the shoes I had packed to wear home, and used my slippers. Since you're in icy MA, you might consider thick socks or something to prepare you for that possibility.

I hope both your schedule and procedure flow smoothly on surgery day.

Best wishes, Debby

 

[cherbam]

Hey Trish,
Good for you going out for a celebration!! You probably won't sleep that good tonight, but you'll make up for it in the hospital. You seem to have it all together. I'll be waiting to hear from your daughter and I'll call you in a couple of days. You go girl!!!

 

[Freddie]

Good for you Trish for getting organized, although you may want to keep the brassieres at home, the elastic may rub against the stitches.

Ear plugs is something you might want to consider - I was I had them - those rooms can get very noisy during the night.

Marie brought a very good point, to put items where you can reach them when you get home. You may have difficultly even opening a can of soup, reaching for the bread etc.

Thoughts and prayers are with you now and for the days to come.

 

[JudithD23]

You sound very ready for the surgery and we (Tom and I) hope that things go so very well and that you'll be home soon.

Judith

 

[Kathy McCain]

Packing for hospital stay

Packing for hospital stay

Hi Trish,

I too , am trying to pack up, and be prepared. I am taking some comfy, easy to get into sweatpants, and top. Maybe a robe and some slippers. Toothbrush, and other grooming essentials. It has not been to cold here in this part of Texas, so I probably won't need a super heavy jacket. I quess you have to wash with the antibacterial soap too.

Good luck Trish! Everything is going to be fine. You'll be home before you know it. God bless

 

[Susan BAV]

From your fun and cheerful posts, you certainly seem to have one of those wonderful "can do" attitudes!
Again, hoping all goes well for you. Take care.

 

[Jkm7]

My last OHS, I had nothing with me as I arrived in an ambulance. My DH was under so much stress I didn't need or want anything brought to me badly enough to ask him to poke around to find things.

I managed perfectly with toothbrush and paste provided by Mass General, used the double hospital gown thing for a robe, they provided me with slipper socks and I had a hairbrush and chapstick in my purse. A pen and paper was useful as I couldn't hold a thought long enough to remember questions I had for when the doctors/nurses were with me

The only things I will bring with me this time are a robe and slippers, ear plugs, and a small CD player and a few CD's to use only if I have annoying noises I want to block out.

AND I am bringing a small 'cough pillow'. I am not taking the chance the hospital does not provide me with one. What they gave me last time was terrible and I will be sure to provide that comfort for myself.

Trish....my best wishes for a successful surgery and the easiest of recoveries. You seem fully on top of things and surely will do extremely well. Please be sure to let us know how you are doing as soon as you are able.

Godspeed.

 

[Curtsmum]

Hope you had a great time on your family celebration, best of luck

 

[Trish]

Ear plugs, check!

Ear plugs, check!

Thanks, All.
We had a great brunch and I'm well-hugged and kissed.

My son is moving in with me when I get out for as long as I need him, so I won't be alone at night and my daughter and three brothers will dote on me in the daytime. I'm very spoiled and I know it. I do appreciate how lucky I am.

I'm going to take a walk down the beach while it's still light out and find a lucky rock to put under my pillow. Anything to pass the time sanely.

Trish

 

[WayneGM]

You sound like you are in a great frame of mind. I hope you enjoyed your walk on the beach. Best wishes and good luck tomorrow. I'll be watching for your post-op update.

 

[Marguerite53]

I am sure you found a rock which spoke to you. You sound like you are in the perfect state of mind. You will do fine!!! Optimism and a light heart were my greatest assets for this experience.

On the practical side. I took 2 old and squishy pillows to the hospital (family kept them in the car until I was out of CICU -- daughter used them to relax while waiting during surgery). Once home, we gathered every extra pillow in the house to prop me up and bed felt wonderful as a result.

You will be hilariously weak the first few days home, so having someone there is excellent. You will also be drugged up! Someone to remember your pill taking schedule is imperative!

With a full sternotomy, bending over, reaching over, twisting, pulling...these are all no-no's for awhile. Anything that you use regularly that you tuck away in a back cupboard, or a high shelf etc., should be brought out to within easy reach for you, unless you want someone fetching it all the time.

That's about it. I think with your lucky rock...you're all set!!

Best wishes!!

Marguerite

 

[Magic8Ball]

V pillow...i would not go in for this again without a nice new V pillow.

Helps you get comfy much easier, allows support around the neck without everything dropping off the side of the bed.

T-shirts are a bit hard, i had a couple of "old style" pyjama tops brought in that allowed me to keep warm but open up the front for easy access...

Other than that, i'm sure you have it all in hand.

Good luck.

 

[Granbonny]

Trish

Trish

Glad to see you on our Sunday night chat...am so glad your son is staying with you..and some one will post.. .You will do fine. Bonnie

 

[Trish]

Ta Ta for now

Ta Ta for now

Thanks again for all your advice.
Trish

 

[brd]

My very best wishes for a wonderful "trip" and a wonderful outcome Trish. It sounds like you are in the best of hands all around. I will look forward to hearing that you did really well.

Godspeed. Barbara

 

[catwoman]

Trish:

Bon voyage!
Sounds like you'll be in wonderful hands post-op. Please have someone post a report on your surgery.

BTW, my high school boyfriend had relatives in Marshfield, I think his maternal grandmother. His dad was from Worcester, his mom (Wellesley grad) from Newton Centre. While my niece was going to Boston U., I traveled throughout MA a lot. Wonderful state!

 

[ruth]

Trish,

I just want to send best wishes your way for tomorrow. All I used on my stay was my robe (a cuddly one) which went from being an extra blanket to a robe for walks. Other than that I just used my toothbrush and toothpaste, and 1 magazine to read. I packed substantially more

You're in a good state of mind and you'll be fine. Looking forward to the posts of your successful surgery.

Peace,
Ruth