Re: Surgery question

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/3/2006 11:12:13 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

smartandfancyartistry@... writes:

Has anyone had surgery after being diagnosed with diabetes? I was just told

I need surgery and I am scared to death.

Hi Darlene,

I have a friend that had surgery in December. She has diabetes but is not

on meds. The doctor removed a tumor from a nerve that was close to her heart.

They gave her insulin while in the hospital. She had no complications and

is doing fine.

hugs

Eunice

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed in 1995 as a diabetic or was it 1994? Oh I forget but in

2000 I had to have a gall bladder removed. The night they registered me for

the surgery...my blood pressure went way down like 80/40 and they decided to

hold off on the surgery for another day to see if my blood pressure would go

back to normal. I had a two day delay in removing that painful bladder. I

didn't have any complications. I am okay. I was worried too. My son was

worried too and he was just barely 7 years old when that happened.

>

> Has anyone had surgery after being diagnosed with diabetes? I was just

> told I need surgery and I am scared to death. I would be anyway, but I read

> what turned out to be an old issue of Diabetes Forecast and it talks about

> how much you have to do to improve your chances of making it through surgery

> without dying. Now I am even more scared.

>

> I had a couple of friends who had surgery in this town (one the same

> surgery I am to have) and had serious complications. One got a staff

> infection that she had problems with for years after the surgery and one

> almost died from getting a yeast infection in her bloodstream from the

> surgery. Only one of them had previous problems.

>

> I guess I just need reassurance. I will be without work for about 3

> months after that (standard for office workers is 6-8 weeks, but I am on

> feet and up and down all day) and no income because we have no insurance or

> disability. I am afraid of leaving my dogs and horse with no care.

>

> Darlene

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Has anyone had surgery after being diagnosed with diabetes?

Hi Darlene,

I had unanticipated surgery in May 2005 -- a spinal fusion at T11-

T12; I had broken my T12 vertebra (as well as sustaining three

fractures in my neck) as the result of an automobile accident -- I

passed out at the wheel of my car from severe hypoglycemia that I

could not treat as I was too disoriented from how quickly and how

unexpectedly I had crashed. My surgery was scheduled two days after

my hospital admission and I had no choice but to have the surgery

done (the fractured vertebra was pressing against my spinal cord and

I risked paralysis if the surgery wasn't performed).

I'm a Type 1 and I use an insulin pump. I was permitted to keep my

pump during my three weeks in the hospital and rehab, and I wore it

throughout the surgery as well. Although my blood sugars increased

*after* the surgery, from what I can see on my medical records, my

blood sugars were monitored both while I was in surgery and while I

was in recovery but had not yet regained consciousness. During that

approximately five to six hour period, my blood sugars stayed close

to the 110-125 range. As I said, it was only after my surgery,

probably due in part to the physical and psychological trauma I'd

endured and in part due to my being so inactive (I was finally

allowed out of bed on Day 5, after being fitted with my back brace,

but even then, my activity was very very minimal and didn't increase

a good deal until I entered rehab after eight days in the regular

hospital). One thing that was critical to my own comfort with my

diabetes care is that my insulin dosing, my blood glucose monitoring

and my meal planning was left entirely up to me. I consulted with

an endo while I was still in the Emergency Room the first morning,

and he wrote specific orders that I was *not* to be limited to an

ADA diet, and that I was to maintain control over my pump and my

insulin dosing regimen. The hospital staff WAS testing my BGs

during the first several days, but the times that they tested were

inconvenient for me in terms of making decisions on how much or how

little insulin to take, whether I needed additional insulin to

correct a high, etc. I wasn't being tested immediately prior to

meals so I wasn't able to determine exactly where I was close enough

to the time that I would be taking a meal bolus. That afternoon the

doctor wrote new orders allowing me to use my own monitor, and to

let the staff know the results of each of my BG tests, and I

immediately started to notice improvement in my readings. Granted,

I had to do an overall across-the-board increase on my insulin, both

basal and bolus, throughout my stay in hospital and rehab and even

for the first several weeks after I returned home (I was on

disability for four months), but if it's possible, see whether you

can have specific orders written by your doctor to allow you to

maintain as much control over your regimen as possible.

Good luck to you. It's not easy to go through any kind of surgery.

I wish you the very best.

[Guest guest]

> , how did you manage your pump with the back brace on?

The brace ended just below my waist; I kept the pump in a pocket and

primarily wore sweat pants that I could pull *over* the brace, so the

pump was easily accessible. It took some creative maneuvering, but I

managed to do it so that it wasn't too difficult or too uncomfortable.

I didn't have to wear the brace while sleeping (I had to wear my neck

brace all the time, including when I slept -- probably because those

fractures had to heal on their own, while the surgery on my back gave

me more stability; I only removed it when I showered), and as long as

I was sat on the couch or on the bed resting, I didn't need to keep it

on all the time. When I entered rehab and had to wear normal clothing

every day, as opposed to wearing a hospital gown in the hospital, and

become more active, I played around with tucking the pump in different

places, and just keeping it in my pocket but keeping the pants over

the brace seemed to work best for me. Although I typically use the 31

inch tubing, I had enough sets with the 43 inch tubing available with

my supplies that I was able to use the longer tubing while I was still

in rehab, which gave me more " breathing room " to maneuver the pump.

[Guest guest]

Hysterectomy. I just have heard horror stories all my life and am petrified. I

got home to a message that the pre-surgery appointment is Wed after I thought it

would be at least next week.

Darlene

Re: Surgery question

Darlene,

What kind of surgery will you be having?

Daughter of Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetic,

Kristy

[Guest guest]

I can only use the one hospital because of the program I am on and the county I

live in. Luckily, it is not the same hospital as my friends were in and they

were both in the same hospital. The last one they had to transfer to a

different hospital because they did not know how to care for her to save her

life. She was in the 2nd hospital ICU on life support for something like a

week. The second hospital she was in is the one I would have to go to if I was

in any other county in the state.

Darlene

Fwd: Surgery question

Hi Darlene,

First, you always have to keep a positive attitude. I had gallbladder

surgery last year and I did not have any problems what so ever. I know

it was only small incisions, but it is still considered major surgery.

If you feel that the hospital is not good, see if you can have the

surgery somewhere else. Are you using the same doctor as your friend?

Dale

[Guest guest]

I can only use the one hospital because of the program I am on and the county I

live in. Luckily, it is not the same hospital as my friends were in and they

were both in the same hospital. The last one they had to transfer to a

different hospital because they did not know how to care for her to save her

life. She was in the 2nd hospital ICU on life support for something like a

week. The second hospital she was in is the one I would have to go to if I was

in any other county in the state.

Darlene

Fwd: Surgery question

Hi Darlene,

First, you always have to keep a positive attitude. I had gallbladder

surgery last year and I did not have any problems what so ever. I know

it was only small incisions, but it is still considered major surgery.

If you feel that the hospital is not good, see if you can have the

surgery somewhere else. Are you using the same doctor as your friend?

Dale

[Guest guest]

I do live alone and have no insurance or money to pay to have someone come in to

help me. I am lucky to have the CICP program they have in Colorado or I

wouldn't be able to see any doctor or the nurse who does the education for

diabetes. It has very low co-pays based on income. The hospitalization, for

instance, is $22. I just hope it doesn't end up like my friend's that the

doctors where she was sent wouldn't accept the CICP and she is getting billed

like crazy.

The doctor did say I would need someplace to go to after the surgery, but home

is the only place I have.

Darlene

Re: Surgery question

Darlene, I have been dx with diabetes for 33 years. In the last four I have

had 2 cataract surgeries, 2 carpal tunnel surgeries,an arthroscopic surgery on

my wrist, a toe surgery( nuthung ti do with diabetes), a neck fusion and a spine

fusion in my lower back. All but the last 2 were minor surgeries and Weds, I

will have shoulder surgery. I haven't had any really bad problems from any of

them. What kind of surgery are you going to have? Do you live alone? You really

should have some help when you first come home. I had home health care for about

a month when I had my back fusion. Maybe your dr. can help you wuth that, mine

did. My family physician is a very nice man as well as a good doctor. Don't

worry about surgery if you're going to a good hospital and trust your doctors.

Let me know if I can give you any more reassurance. Everything will be ok.

Lois

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

Hi Darlene,

I am a type 2, and a year ago, I had surgery for colorectal cancer, and a

hysterectomy plus at the same time (to reduce the chance of the cells

spreading).

I was fed through a drip bag for three weeks, and the nurses took my bs several

times a day, and gave me insulin if I needed it.

It was not all that different from what a non diabetic would have gone through.

Try not to worry, stress will affect your bs -

Can a church group help you out?

Good luck, and

Re: Surgery question

Darlene,

What kind of surgery will you be having?

Daughter of Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetic,

Kristy

[Guest guest]

I had minor surgery a year ago and all was fine. Make

sure your surgeon and anesthesiologist know you are

diabetic.

-Sunny

--- ERWachter@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 4/3/2006 11:12:13 A.M. Eastern

> Daylight Time,

> smartandfancyartistry@... writes:

>

> Has anyone had surgery after being diagnosed with

> diabetes? I was just told

> I need surgery and I am scared to death.

>

>

> Hi Darlene,

> I have a friend that had surgery in December. She

> has diabetes but is not

> on meds. The doctor removed a tumor from a nerve

> that was close to her heart.

> They gave her insulin while in the hospital. She

> had no complications and

> is doing fine.

>

> hugs

> Eunice

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I am not going to the one she was transferred to. That is for the other

counties in Colorado. I am going to the one that they used to use for Diagnosis

Murder when it was filmed in Colorado only the back side of it. I don't know

much of anything about how good the hospital is. They don't seem to keep up

with some of the modern things like some of the others around here, but they are

supposed to have the top trauma center in the country. I hope the rest of it is

as good. I am glad it isn't the one that my friends had their surgeries at.

Thanks for the information.

Darlene

Fwd: Surgery question

Darlene,

Being that you are going to the better hospital that your friend was

transferred to should be comforting to you. Make sure your surgeon and

anesthesiologist know you have diabetes and that you are nervous about

the surgery. Keep a positive attitude. Let us know how you are doing

as time gets closer.

Dale

[Guest guest]

I am not going to the one she was transferred to. That is for the other

counties in Colorado. I am going to the one that they used to use for Diagnosis

Murder when it was filmed in Colorado only the back side of it. I don't know

much of anything about how good the hospital is. They don't seem to keep up

with some of the modern things like some of the others around here, but they are

supposed to have the top trauma center in the country. I hope the rest of it is

as good. I am glad it isn't the one that my friends had their surgeries at.

Thanks for the information.

Darlene

Fwd: Surgery question

Darlene,

Being that you are going to the better hospital that your friend was

transferred to should be comforting to you. Make sure your surgeon and

anesthesiologist know you have diabetes and that you are nervous about

the surgery. Keep a positive attitude. Let us know how you are doing

as time gets closer.

Dale

[Guest guest]

I am not going to the one she was transferred to. That is for the other

counties in Colorado. I am going to the one that they used to use for Diagnosis

Murder when it was filmed in Colorado only the back side of it. I don't know

much of anything about how good the hospital is. They don't seem to keep up

with some of the modern things like some of the others around here, but they are

supposed to have the top trauma center in the country. I hope the rest of it is

as good. I am glad it isn't the one that my friends had their surgeries at.

Thanks for the information.

Darlene

Fwd: Surgery question

Darlene,

Being that you are going to the better hospital that your friend was

transferred to should be comforting to you. Make sure your surgeon and

anesthesiologist know you have diabetes and that you are nervous about

the surgery. Keep a positive attitude. Let us know how you are doing

as time gets closer.

Dale