Any last minute......

Thank you so very much hun....

Hugs,
Jenn

Relax, take loose clothes to drive home in, toothbrush and tooth paste, hair brush, Vicks for your lips ;-), a protein drink you like ( gagged on what the hospital served me).  I packed a lot of other stuff, but didn't use it. lol

I received a relaxation tape from my hospital that really helped.  I'll email it to you.  Give me a call if you like.

You're almost there!

Hugs,
---jan---

Sorry I didn't call, I was supposed to call Liz too, and the night just got away with me.. I fell asleep early and then was woken by the phone..  Now  you can see I can't sleep.. LOL

Thanks again for the relaxation tape.. I will be sure to use it..

Can you beleive it... 4 more days...  (3 if you don't count the 6th)  Wow... 

I will give you a call tomorrow... Oh and P.S. Don't buy that pill box that I did.. SMALL SMALL SMALL. 

Hugs,
Jenn

Congrats!!!

I agree that you should take very little - here is what was important for me:

Slippers with good soles (i.e. not slippery)
Chapstick
Brush & hair bands
Loose clothes, a gallon size ziplock bag and A PILLOW for the ride home (your hubby can bring the pillow that day).  You'll need the pillow to sort of hug to your belly (I put mine between my seat belt and tummy) to stay more comfortable on the ride home.  The ziploc is mostly just so you'll feel comfortable in case you get a little nauseous in the car.

Best wishes and we can't wait for you to settle in on the bench!

Cathy C.

Wow, I would have never thought about the zip lock baggie..  What a good idea, Thank You...

Thanks for the tips..

Hugs,
Jenn

Glad I could help Jenn.  As a mom of two sons who used to have car sickness issues, I learned a few good techniques.  Who knew that I would be using one myself years later! lol

It is so exciting that you are almost on the next leg of your journey!

Cathy C.

~Jenn~

Enjoy the time that you have now as you prepare for surgery.  Sometimes, the unknown can be a little daunting!  Deep breaths and a squeeze of DH's hands should do the trick!!!

In terms of things to stock up on....at Stanford we were told to us enriched milk for things post op.  This is just 1 tbsp powered milk mixed with 1 cup of liquid milk but it increases the amount of protein that we get.  I still use this when I make puddings and things.  I keep a can of Beneprotein in the house (I am 3.5 years out) which is a medical grade protein powder that has no taste and is easy to mix. 

At the beginning, I ate alot of sugar free, fat free pudding and cream soups......cream of chicken, cream of turkey, etc.  This helped me tremendously.

Whatever your surgeon's directions....follow them, but don't be afraid to say "this is/isn't working for me."  Remember, each of us is different.  Keep us posted.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as we head to surgery day!!!

Anjanette

Thank You so very much..

I have never bought powdered milk, where do you get it?? and is there are certain kind that I would need to buy???

I appreciate all you help, and congrats on being 3.5 year out.. Way to go.

Hugs,
Jenn

Hey Jenn~

You can buy any brand that you can find in your grocery store....usually in the baking section. 

Popsicles work well to help get all of your fluids in, as well as stocks or broths (unless your surgeon tells you different, it should be strained of any solids)

As as others have said, you are having a major procedure.  Have anyone and everyone who can, take care of YOU in the beginning.  Be gentle with yourself and take lots of pictures.  At the end of the first year, you can put them all together and see what an amazing transformation there will be!!  I did this and was amazed!!

Take care!!

Anjanette

 

 

Hi Jenn, I am going to call you later this morning... but for now I will answer a couple questions.Powdered milk can be bought in any grocery store.
This is what I took to the hospital and for the 65 mile ride home. Chap-stick,slippers, a robe, (if you want you can wear it home, I wore a caftan,big moo-moo),comb/brush a pillow, hand lotion (my skin always gets itchy and dry after surgery)and a pillow. I had no complications but I took a "barf bag" haha... zip lock in other words. I didn't want anything around my middle i.e. panties,sweats or pj bottoms for the first week I was pretty tender. But my pain was minimal.
I just want you to remember you are having MAJOR surgery ( I had a crazy lady in my hospital room that tried to tell me it wasn't major surgery!!!) and your guts are being re-routed! So, be prepared to be uncomfortable for a few days.
Here are the things I was allowed post surgery...SF Popsicles, Broth, I like "Better than Bouillon" (you can get that in your local grocery store) it taste like real broth, water, (I drink well water but some city water isn't fit to drink) SF Fat free jello...make lots of it cause chances are your kids are going to want it as well ...you can put SF FF cool whip on theirs to make it more festive they love it even more! Crystal lite, any and all flavors, Kellogg's fiber iced tea, with protein (good stuff). Now this all depends on what yours Drs protcol is some allow creams soups in the blender or things like soup in hands by campbell's but it all depends.

Anyway I am going to call you Sunday morning I have something very important to talk you about!!

HUGE
HUGS
JOY