Surgery Tomorrow

[Dave S]

Well I go in tomorrow morning . The Cath is tomorrow, they told me they will keep me in the hospital overnight and do the surgery the wednesday morning.

I have not read about anyone doing it like that.Has anyone had the Cath one day and the surgery the next?

I Cant thank everyone enough for all the help and what to expect.

I think I have everything ready at home, but I am starting to freak a little.

I know I have seen it before but , what are the essentails to bring to the hosp.

Thanks for everything
Dave

 

[Emma]

Good luck Dave!!I know its slightly different as she's a child, but the principles of the surgery are still the same.
During one lot of my daughters surgeries, she did have a cath the day before her valve replacement - just to check the pressures and positoning of all her bits and bobs I think. Made no difference to her surgery the next day though - just that the surgeon was more prepared i think and knew more about what to expect.
Sorry, can't help with what to take to the hospital, as our list for Chloe involved toys and nappies - guess yours would be pretty different to that?! lol (or I'd hope so anyway?!)
I'll keep you in my thoughts!
Love Emma
xxx

 

[Barry]

I know I have seen it before but , what are the essentails to bring to the hosp.

Thanks for everything
Dave

There's a thread called "Hospital Hints" on this.

My vote is:
1. At least one good book (because if you only take one you're stuck if it turns out to be a stinker)
2. A small AM/FM radio with headphones so you're not stuck with only TV.
3. An inquiring attitude, keeping on top of what the medical staff is doing and why, and not taking any drugs except with informed consent in which they really do explain to you the therapeutic and side-effects of the drugs they want you to take. [I was prepped for and asked to sign consent to a bypass when I was in for a valve job, and they tried giving me Amiodarone (a very toxic drug, but a great one if it works) with no more info than "Take this."]
4. A lot of folks here think it's a good idea to have a friend or family member keeping an eye on things. Myself, I'm too grumpy when I'm not feeling well to inflict myself on a friend or family member, so I kept an eye on things myself (see #3).
5. Don't take any valuables with you.

 

[Blanche]

Dave:
Very best wishes for a successful surgery tomorrow. When my husband had his valve replaced in 1990, they followed the same procedure you are having with the cath the day before and surgery in the morning. It worked out well for him. He had time to "relax" if that is possible, and get used to the hospital before the surgery.
Kind regards,
Blanche

 

[geebee]

Dave,

I also had the cath one day & surgery the next with my 2nd OHS.

Books, CD & player, portable DVD player (if you have one) & DVDs, PJs & robe if you want to be comfy, toothbrush, comb/brush, razor, family picture (it helps) & a supply of hard candy (mouth gets dry once the tube is out).

Best of luck & Godspeed.

 

[Mary]

Dave,
I have my heart cath on June 6 and the replacement surgery on June 7. I'm not happy about it; I was hoping to totally IGNORE it until the very last minute.
With this arrangement, it's next to impossible to pretend nothing is going on when I'm having an overnight stay in the hospital following the cath.
But that's just me!

As far as what to take to the hospital: the ladies on Chat assured me last night that WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE BRAS! Aren't you relieved?
Take care and I hope to soon hear a post about your great recovery.
Mary

 

[Phyllis]

Dick had pre-admission testing on a Tues. Cath and admittance on Wed. and surgery on Thurs. morning. It worked fine. They took him down to prep him for surgery at 6 AM that Thursday morning.
The thread on hospital hints should serve you fine. We suggest pj's (or at least bottoms), slippers for when you start to walk the halls, ipod, radio or cd player, toiletries, some petty cash for TV service, comfortable clothes for the trip home (probably a button-down shirt rather than one that goes over the head), a good book or magazines although Dick found it hard to concentrate on reading material. We will be thinking of you and wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery. Hope you can have someone post for you!

 

[gadgetman]

Dave,

Good luck on the beginning of your journey. YOUR CLUB INITATION BEGINS!!!!! Prayers and good thoughts are coming your way.

My case was unusual in that they direct admitted me on Tuesday (surgery wasn't scheduled to Friday) to try to stabilize the pressures. As I had a Cath only two weeks before going to UAB (which they forwarded) I didn't need another. I had a Swann Device installed instead.

Before you know it (but you will remember the trip WATCH OUT FOR THAT TRAIN/TRUCK/BIG VEHICLE ) you will be on the other side of the mountain. We look forward to that posting.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[karlaosh]

Dave-

I had my cath about a week ago and it was a breeze--but I did sleep on and off for a few hours afterwards because they gave some pretty good sleepy meds.

When I go to Mayo next week for my surgery, I'll be having basic pre-op testing (blood work, chest x-ray, etc.) and an appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday. Then I have to drive the 45 minutes back to my parents' house and try to relax and sleep Tuesday night so I can get up early Wednesday morning, drive the 45 minutes back to the hospital and check in for surgery. (All this accompanied by my husband.)

I'm kind of thinking it would be nice to stay over at the hospital on Tuesday night...just so I could feel I'd "arrived" once and for all.

So maybe the cath-one-day/surgery-the-next arrangement is all for the best. If you have good nurses, they'll pamper you so much you'll be glad to be there.

I'll be thinking of you. You'll do great.

Karla

 

[Karlynn]

Praying for the very best for you Dave. We all look forward to hearing the good news on your surgery outcome.

 

[Glenda]

I had my cath the day before my surgery. Dave, you will be in my prayers. Be sure and have someone post for you.

 

[Debrinha GT]

Three surgeries

Three surgeries

Hi Dave, when I had my first mitral valve replacement at the age of ten, I had my cath and then the surgery two days later, but I was already in hospital. My case was so delicate and uncertain that they kept me in for two months in total. Again, that was back in 1975. I think it doesn't really matter how soon after the cath they operate on the patient. Some hospitals might do it this way for convinience. I want to wish you good luck and a speedy recovery. What you're feeling's normal, but when you least expect it will all be behind you and will be anchient history. I'll keep you in my night time prayers too. Take care.
Débora

 

[gijanet]

Hey, when did..........

Hey, when did..........

Dave start wearing a bra?

Dave, Katie had a cath the day prior to her last OHS. This tends to be fairly routine for those who travel for surgeries. They also did her TEE while she was under. We will be thinking of you tomorrow. Sending lots of hugs and prayers. We will be waiting for that "thumb's up" post-op report. Hugs. janet

 

[WendyD]

Hi Dave,
Very Best Wishes for your surgery tomorrow, we will be thinking of you,
the only thing we can think of other than the usual, music, books, mags,electric razor, etc is some fresh & dried fruit & nuts, (Ernie got bored with the hospital food) But I'm sure you will be inundated with gifts from Family and Friends.
As we are originally from Africa, all that there is to say now is,
"Hamba Gahle" which means "travel safely" and we will see you on the other side of the mountain !!Looking forward to hearing how it went well.
Very Best wishes for your surgery, and a speedy recovery
Ernie & Wendy

 

[hensylee]

I didn't check in last night so I missed your post. My very best wishes and prayers to right along with you as you approach the mountain and begin your climb. GODSPEED!

 

[jeffp]

Best of luck. Take your meds and don't be a pain in the neck for the nurses (as least for the first few days - once you're feeling more energetic -have some fun with 'em). One thing I wish I had post op in the hospital - a stick (no not to hit with). The stupid controls for the hospital bed were made for people with 6" arms. Turning and moving in the bed was less than easy. I could never get my hand back up enough to push the buttons to raise and lower the bed tilt. Something like a drum stick would work. I wound up using the end of the sucker hose they used to get the blobs of phlegm out of my throat post op. Do well - no complications please.

 

[Marguerite53]

Good luck!!

Good luck!!

Hello, Dave. Good luck on Wednesday.....will be sending positive thoughts and best wishes your way from Oregon! Spent a memorable week (spring break) as a teenager (in the 60's!) at Boca Raton and Pompano Beach area so I will visualize those lovely beaches when I think of you. Maybe you could use a visual place to key into as you are dealing with the stress. Visualizations have always helped me calm myself down. Cool breezes, splashing waves, crunchy bright sand..........

Good luck and we'll wait to hear from you!!

Marguerite