Re: pre-op appt.

[Guest guest]

I think you need to balance out the other side of the argument, so

you don't worry yourself sick. This reply isn't to disagree but to

help reassure. It's true that there should be more information,

support and representation for patients. As we're preparing for and

going through our operations as individuals, we have to make the best

of the system as it is now. Research is good, but there has to be a

point when we stop, trust snd let the experts get on with their jobs

whilst still asking questions to put our fears at rest.

I understand your feelings at having precious little information from

the medical profession. You're not going to change the system now

overnight, so you can see that your needs are met now for your

hospital stay, as far as the system allows. Then once you are fully

recovered you'll be in a fit state to do anything you want to do to

help improve their services and patient advocacy.

I don't think a hospital or company would let a bad anaestheologist

lose on patients. Something like that would be very damaging all

round. They will be trained and experienced and be vetted.

Hospitals are so busy that they have to make some decisions at short

notice about operation order and bed availability. I know it's

particularly bad here in Britain but I'll bet that's the case in most

places.

I suggest you have another chat with your gynaecologist or doctor or

somebody about your concerns being left alone.

Assume you will be in a room with other people and then if you have a

room to yourself, that'll be a plus. The down side of sharing is the

very ill old person in the next bed. Take ear plugs and a walkman in

case you're sharing. There can be advantages to sharing a room, such

as a good conversation, having a soon-to-leave patient help drawing

the curtains or passing you something, and more nurses passing by to

call over if you need to.

If it turns out you will definitely be alone in recovery don't forget

nurses will be monitoring your recovery immediately after surgery and

you may want to dose off to sleep for that time anyway. I felt I was

cat-napping, but I must have been asleep. I felt tired rather than

drugged, as if from the early morning start. My boyfriend didn't know

when he'd be allowed to see me or how long it would take. He was

pleasantly surprised at how normal I seemed. Some women get nausea

after the operation and I'd get advice about avoiding and minimising

that. Don't eat and drink until the doctor says you can except for

water. Be prepared for a catheter which you won't feel at all in any

sense (mine was put in when I was unconscious in surgery)and numbness

in the belly. Avoid using your 'stomach' muscles and wriggle ankles

and toes to get the circulation moving.

I reccommend a diplomatic friendly approach rather than a

confrontational one. The staff want things to go well for everyone

and they're only human, trying to do the best with the system as it

stands, according to the usual procedures they're used to.

<I'm not disappointed in my surgeon but am in the

whole hospital experience so far..> <... No one was very

understanding and I was close to tears a few times.>

Yes, I'd have another chat with someone else about what you'd like to

happen and what worries you.

<I can only have someone spend the night with me if I have a private

room and that does not seem likely. Then visiting hours aren't until

1pm the next day!>

I was told by NHS UK pre-op that I could have one special visitor who

could be with me outside normal visiting hours.

Another roommate may be handy to call a nurse if you feel sick

You could always write on the permission form some word or sentence

of your own that covers you legally in polite business-like cover-all

terms?? I don't know how that works or how it would go down.

<They told me about pain meds but seem to be pretty cavaleir about If

Its not working you can call us.>

Pain meds are very strong unless you've built up a tolerance to them

from some other health problem. I had a morphine self administering

thing where you can press a button attatched to your own arm if you

want more. I wouldn't go crazy with it though for more than you need.

I think it's a better idea to lie still and quiet, so your 'stomach

area' isn't over-exerted. They can offer different options in my

experience they certainly weren't slow to offer pain killers which

they had on a trolley, like the tea lady doing the rounds!

<I'm just close to tears and wondering if I should just call it off

but arent all hospitals the same?>

Some times of day may be more hectic than other times. You may find

some nurses particularly helpful and see various ones each day.

<I need help learning how to do Out of Body experience so I can just

stand back and let it happen without caring.>

You'll sleep through the worst of it and then be so releived it's all

over, finding and knowing every day you'll feel better than the

previous day.

I hope that helps Maureen

Aztek

[Guest guest]

Maureen,

I don't know if you are religious or not but this prayer has come to

mind many times over the past year, maybe it will help comfort you as

well.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

You also might try saying a rosary or something similar might be done

with just a string of beads, you could just assign some affirmative

phrase to each bead. It is a very soothing practice when you are

feeling like life is out of control -- I'm not a regular user of

rosary beads but there have been a few times like when the Gulf War

started where it was the only thing that would ease my mind. Maybe

listmembers could help come up with some good phrases for a non-

denominational prayer bead ritual.

Peace,

Ann

> I need help learning how to do Out of Body experience so I can just

stand

> back and let it happen without caring.