K
Kenny F
I thought I would summarize the wealth of useful info I gained from this fine board and some other sources and especially how it worked out!
1) Educate! my gosh, gain all the knowledge you can, even if it scares you (it will). Last year for a cath I did nothing and it had more emotional impact on me than VR. Be a know-it-all.
2) Interview - pump every health care worker for info - that's how I found out about choosing anesthesiologists. They and their nurses are critical. Which is why I do not remember the tube incident we all fear.
3) Sooner over Later - they really do not know how bad it is until they get in there. My docs were somewhat surprised at the mess they found. If you know you need it, put on some Nikes and just do it!
4) Tie Up Loose Ends - you need to be at peace with your family, business and personal life. Make a list, check them off, don't look back. Story has it I woke up in SICU and asked "Did they sell anything yet?". Not that Real Estate is on my mind.
5) Drugs R Good - forget, for now, all your training and moral qualms about drug use. If they bring something, swallow it. I was very choosy at first, but taking full-strength pain meds really started me on the road to recovery. One night I swallowed everything in the little pill bucket they brought - I slept good, had no pain, relieved my constipation and think I took care of potential hairball problems. It was the best night of my stay.
6) Dignity Be Damned! With all the tubes and wires and probing, wear the horrible gown. It works. And if someone doesn't want to see your lovely bum they can look away. I know I shocked at least one nurse with my distinct lack of modesty.
7) Eat Drink and be Merry - Keep sucking on that quart bottle 24/7. And if they bring it to you on a tray, eat it. It will make you better. And of course, have your SO slide in some bonus chow!
Doctors turn away - bring a salt shaker!
8) Entertain Yourself -bring a stack of random light mags (my stack - National Geo, F1, Sound&Vision, Road&Track, Relevant and Downbeat) You have no idea what will appeal to you. Throw in a couple of inspirational succinct books you can take bites out of. YOU DO NOT want to be stuck with whatever is on the hospital's cable. You'd think for a $40K op we would get movie channels.
9) Get Out of bed - that's what the pain meds are for - not so you can lay there in la-la land but so you don't relaize the pain you are in when you hobble to the bathroom. Sit in a chair, walk the hall, look out the window.
10)Spirometer is your Friend - it is relatively easy therapy, is good for you (prevents pneumonia) and everybody just beams when you tell them you use it every hour - from the surgeon to the janitor. Must be important.
11) Demand A Heart Pillow - amazing souvenir serves 3 purposes:
*You cling to it for life while coughing so you don't just go ahead and die. You thought surgery was bad...
*It has an incredible detailed rendering of the heart so you can impress your visitors with your knowledge (remember #1)
* It has a pen so those same folks and your health care providers can sign their autographs.
12)Get a Chair for Sleeping - this one everyone exclaims as the gospel, and they are right. I have a huge leather pub chair with ottoman that I will be sleeping on for weeks. If you can stretch out in your bed and go to sleep after OHS, then we are not worthy!
13) Ace in the Hole - no kidding, no matter what you believe, you need to leverage your spiritual influence. God knows what's going on, so be sure your friends of all faiths are petitioning on your behalf. I had reps from 3 churches come by, several more call, and cards from still more. All in all, I had at least 10 churches, plus my momma, on my side. And if you don't believe in God, you may want to rethink this heart surgery thing...
I know this is obscenely lengthy, but I hope our fine admin sees fit to let it post. Read every post, follow every link, take all the advice... It can and will work out!
1) Educate! my gosh, gain all the knowledge you can, even if it scares you (it will). Last year for a cath I did nothing and it had more emotional impact on me than VR. Be a know-it-all.
2) Interview - pump every health care worker for info - that's how I found out about choosing anesthesiologists. They and their nurses are critical. Which is why I do not remember the tube incident we all fear.
3) Sooner over Later - they really do not know how bad it is until they get in there. My docs were somewhat surprised at the mess they found. If you know you need it, put on some Nikes and just do it!
4) Tie Up Loose Ends - you need to be at peace with your family, business and personal life. Make a list, check them off, don't look back. Story has it I woke up in SICU and asked "Did they sell anything yet?". Not that Real Estate is on my mind.
5) Drugs R Good - forget, for now, all your training and moral qualms about drug use. If they bring something, swallow it. I was very choosy at first, but taking full-strength pain meds really started me on the road to recovery. One night I swallowed everything in the little pill bucket they brought - I slept good, had no pain, relieved my constipation and think I took care of potential hairball problems. It was the best night of my stay.
6) Dignity Be Damned! With all the tubes and wires and probing, wear the horrible gown. It works. And if someone doesn't want to see your lovely bum they can look away. I know I shocked at least one nurse with my distinct lack of modesty.
7) Eat Drink and be Merry - Keep sucking on that quart bottle 24/7. And if they bring it to you on a tray, eat it. It will make you better. And of course, have your SO slide in some bonus chow!
Doctors turn away - bring a salt shaker!
8) Entertain Yourself -bring a stack of random light mags (my stack - National Geo, F1, Sound&Vision, Road&Track, Relevant and Downbeat) You have no idea what will appeal to you. Throw in a couple of inspirational succinct books you can take bites out of. YOU DO NOT want to be stuck with whatever is on the hospital's cable. You'd think for a $40K op we would get movie channels.
9) Get Out of bed - that's what the pain meds are for - not so you can lay there in la-la land but so you don't relaize the pain you are in when you hobble to the bathroom. Sit in a chair, walk the hall, look out the window.
10)Spirometer is your Friend - it is relatively easy therapy, is good for you (prevents pneumonia) and everybody just beams when you tell them you use it every hour - from the surgeon to the janitor. Must be important.
11) Demand A Heart Pillow - amazing souvenir serves 3 purposes:
*You cling to it for life while coughing so you don't just go ahead and die. You thought surgery was bad...
*It has an incredible detailed rendering of the heart so you can impress your visitors with your knowledge (remember #1)
* It has a pen so those same folks and your health care providers can sign their autographs.
12)Get a Chair for Sleeping - this one everyone exclaims as the gospel, and they are right. I have a huge leather pub chair with ottoman that I will be sleeping on for weeks. If you can stretch out in your bed and go to sleep after OHS, then we are not worthy!
13) Ace in the Hole - no kidding, no matter what you believe, you need to leverage your spiritual influence. God knows what's going on, so be sure your friends of all faiths are petitioning on your behalf. I had reps from 3 churches come by, several more call, and cards from still more. All in all, I had at least 10 churches, plus my momma, on my side. And if you don't believe in God, you may want to rethink this heart surgery thing...
I know this is obscenely lengthy, but I hope our fine admin sees fit to let it post. Read every post, follow every link, take all the advice... It can and will work out!
