Surgery Date & Preparations

[Guest guest]

Jodi,

Couple of thoughts... I'm really kind of spaced at the moment after three

nights of minimal sleep. However, look for

http://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Wisdom-Illness/dp/0385303122

this book, and also one by him, Arriving at your Own Door,

http://www.amazon.com/Arriving-Your-Own-Door-Mindfulness/dp/1401303617/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1240538138 & sr=1-6

I read the former, and took the latter with me to the hospital the day of

the surgery, reading each simple mantra over and over while they prepped

me, and while I waited. I was quite a bit calmer as a result.

Also check out

http://www.dynamic-living.com/category/support-1/

I bought the superpole with bar and the superpole with trapeze. The bar

one went between the toiler and our shower-tub, and with the counter on

the other side, allowed me to use both hands to lower myself onto the

toiler, and push myself off it. (We're still using both, as the bar gives

us both something to grab onto getting in and out of the tub. The trapeze

is really handy for changing position in the middle of the night if my

back cramps up on me.)

The trapeze allowed me to get in and out of bed by myself, to take care

of necessary issues. There's something so incredibly empowering about

being able to do simple things like that for yourself.

If you can get everything pulled together, I would go with the May 11 --

two reasons. Relatively far away from the holidays, and <g> since

my birthday is the 17th, I will hopefully hear that you are out of the

hospital and doing well -- and that would be a great birthday

gift!

Take care!

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund