L
labguides
Should we stay at the hospital waiting room during our daughter's surgery? What have others done? Go out for lunch? take a walk? I cannot see myself sitting in the waiting room for 6 hours without going stir crazy?
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ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
Ask your SURGEON if he or whoever does his communicating would be willing to call you on a cell phone (you do have one don't you?)
Also ask how long he expects the surgery to take. Most simple valve replacements are around 3 hours or so.
YEP, surgery time is hardest on the Family !
'AL'
Also ask how long he expects the surgery to take. Most simple valve replacements are around 3 hours or so.
YEP, surgery time is hardest on the Family !
'AL'
M
Marge
I told my husband he damn well stay pretty close during MY surgery. (It's what I'd do if the situation were reversed. It is tough but how would I feel if something happened and I WEREN'T there? If I were off doing something else, how would I even be able to keep my mind on whatever it was?) Of course that doesn't mean he has to actually sit in the waiting room the whole time. They have a pager system at the hospital where I'll be; if waiting family member (s) want to go down to the cafeteria, or for a walk around the grounds, they give them a pager so they can be called back in case there are any developments.
H
Heather Fisher
My family stayed in the waiting room and the doctor called them every hour to let them know what was happening. If the doctor does call, he might be able to call your cell phone instead. I did feel good knowing they were all in the waiting room and close by.
Heather
Heather
Ross
Well-known member
Some hospitals give you pagers if you decide to leave the waiting area. Whatever the case may be, be sure they know where you are at any given time.
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labguides
pager/cell phone
pager/cell phone
thanks for input on pagers/cell phone in waiting room. That will give me the opportunity to go to the cafeteria/bathroom etc and still be in touch with what is going on.
pager/cell phone
thanks for input on pagers/cell phone in waiting room. That will give me the opportunity to go to the cafeteria/bathroom etc and still be in touch with what is going on.
Nancy
Well-known member
I stayed in the waiting room throughout the entire operation, leaving only briefly for a few breaks. But during those breaks, I told the desk where I would be. The last time I had a hospital provided pager. Your cell phone will probably have to be turned off while in the hospital because it interferes with a lot of things that go on in the hospital.
You never know when the surgeon will want to contact you, so don't go anywhere without letting the waiting room staff know, and don't leave the premises.
I brought some CDs and a walkman player, something to occupy my time, some mints for dry mouth, some Immodium for nervous digestive problems, some change for coffee machines, a neck pillow to rest, something for headaches, and a sweater or jacket. I tend to get cold when nervous.
You never know when the surgeon will want to contact you, so don't go anywhere without letting the waiting room staff know, and don't leave the premises.
I brought some CDs and a walkman player, something to occupy my time, some mints for dry mouth, some Immodium for nervous digestive problems, some change for coffee machines, a neck pillow to rest, something for headaches, and a sweater or jacket. I tend to get cold when nervous.
G
Georgia
At our hospital, family is asked to stay in the waiting room the entire time the patient is on the heart-lung machine. In fact, they're advised to go get something to eat, coffee, etc., when we're first taken to surgery, as they don't want them to leave for the rest of the operation. They have coffee and stuff for them and people to run to the cafeteria and other errands.
Kinda creepy, I know. I just didn't think about it. My daughter came over to stay with hubby when that part of the surgery arrived.
Kinda creepy, I know. I just didn't think about it. My daughter came over to stay with hubby when that part of the surgery arrived.
D
dwfreck
If you get the chance, go visit the waiting room before the surgery and see what it's like and what services they provide. Also ask what you can or cannot bring with you. You may want to bring your own (collapsible) chair or other comfort items, like Nancy suggested.
For that matter, if there is time, ask for as much of a tour of the cardiac unit as the hospital is willing to give you. Knowing where things are and how to get to them the day of the operation will be a BIG help.
For that matter, if there is time, ask for as much of a tour of the cardiac unit as the hospital is willing to give you. Knowing where things are and how to get to them the day of the operation will be a BIG help.
H
Harpoon
Ross beat me to the pager comment, darn it.
My father and wife (fiance at the time) waited it out, all night actually.
The hospital gave them a private room with big chairs and blankets and such so they could nap if they wanted. A nurse or someone checked in every half hour or so with news on how I was progressing and they made every accomidation to make the wait as comfortable as possible.
I know I was in surgery for over eight hours, starting at 9pm that night. My dad and Erica had gone back to my aunt's place (their "base of operations" for the first month I was in Cleveland) on the west side and got the call from the hospital almost as soon as they arrived that I had taken a BIG jump into the deep end of the pool.....
They rushed back as best they could through a raging blizzard and I suspect (I haven't asked) may have stayed through to the second night after surgery.
They were a WRECK in every sense of the word for a VERY long time after that. My doctors were too and they all seemed to trade shifts crying over me, willing and praying for me to pull through.
By all means neccesary, stay as close as you can to the hospital, if not in it. Some of the bigger centers have arrangements with local hotels that might be as close as across the street.
Cleveland Clinic has two hotels, with a shuttle service, for both patients and family. There's also a Ronald McDonald House for families of children in the hospital.
Check out what's there. Make sure you know where to get food and snacks and things too. There's a lot of stuff you may find you want to have on hand while in the waiting room and it helps to know you can get to it easily.
Coffee's high on that list.... =)
My father and wife (fiance at the time) waited it out, all night actually.
The hospital gave them a private room with big chairs and blankets and such so they could nap if they wanted. A nurse or someone checked in every half hour or so with news on how I was progressing and they made every accomidation to make the wait as comfortable as possible.
I know I was in surgery for over eight hours, starting at 9pm that night. My dad and Erica had gone back to my aunt's place (their "base of operations" for the first month I was in Cleveland) on the west side and got the call from the hospital almost as soon as they arrived that I had taken a BIG jump into the deep end of the pool.....
They rushed back as best they could through a raging blizzard and I suspect (I haven't asked) may have stayed through to the second night after surgery.
They were a WRECK in every sense of the word for a VERY long time after that. My doctors were too and they all seemed to trade shifts crying over me, willing and praying for me to pull through.
By all means neccesary, stay as close as you can to the hospital, if not in it. Some of the bigger centers have arrangements with local hotels that might be as close as across the street.
Cleveland Clinic has two hotels, with a shuttle service, for both patients and family. There's also a Ronald McDonald House for families of children in the hospital.
Check out what's there. Make sure you know where to get food and snacks and things too. There's a lot of stuff you may find you want to have on hand while in the waiting room and it helps to know you can get to it easily.
Coffee's high on that list.... =)
H
Harpoon
Oh yeah, I'm sure EVERYONE here knows you can't use a cell phone inside a hospital right?
It can't even be turned on.
My wife had one and she would use it to fill in other family members on what was going on when she was at the hospital. She always had to leave the building to do it, in the winter that's kinda rough.
It can't even be turned on.
My wife had one and she would use it to fill in other family members on what was going on when she was at the hospital. She always had to leave the building to do it, in the winter that's kinda rough.
Waiting
Waiting
Family..some played cards..Daughter sat with Hubby chatting...She said, wonder, Dad, how much this is costing?..He told her..I would spend every cent I had..to know she will be O.K...Make me cry..everytime I repeat..what he told her.
After, 38 years of a great marriage..now, I know, what he must have been going thru. ...and he still babies me..almost 2 years post-op..And, I let him Bonnie
Waiting
Family..some played cards..Daughter sat with Hubby chatting...She said, wonder, Dad, how much this is costing?..He told her..I would spend every cent I had..to know she will be O.K...Make me cry..everytime I repeat..what he told her.
After, 38 years of a great marriage..now, I know, what he must have been going thru. ...and he still babies me..almost 2 years post-op..And, I let him Bonniecsutherland
Well-known member
I had all three daughters and their husbands, our pastor, and 3 or 4 other friends of Jerry's in the waiting room with me. We were updated periodically about the progress of the surgery. Cox Medical Center has a number of rooms across the street (you use a catwalk--you don't have to go outside) for rent for families of patients. The price was right and the room was very nice. One of my daughters & I spent that first night there. Jerry had about 3 nurses sitting beside him in CICU and we were given a pager. We were 5 minutes away. It made sense to me to use a real bed rather than a chair when it was that convenient.
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labguides
staying at hospital during surgery
staying at hospital during surgery
Thank you for all of you for advice on what to do during surgery. Three of us were at the hospital during surgery. My husband slept much of the time in the car. We made certain that one of us was always in the waiting room, just in case, the operating room called. Operating room called to let us know that incision had been made and told us what time they would call again. The 2nd call was: "The pump is off." That was GOOD news to hear. The surgeon came to talk with us us about an hour later.
staying at hospital during surgery
Thank you for all of you for advice on what to do during surgery. Three of us were at the hospital during surgery. My husband slept much of the time in the car. We made certain that one of us was always in the waiting room, just in case, the operating room called. Operating room called to let us know that incision had been made and told us what time they would call again. The 2nd call was: "The pump is off." That was GOOD news to hear. The surgeon came to talk with us us about an hour later.
hensylee
Well-known member
I am glad you stayed. Now, when someone else asks your question, you will be able to help us with an answer from your own experiences.
