txrisquediva
I'm Going Down!
Mar 25, 2009
Leave it to me and English teacher to allude to MJB (Mary J Blige). I am a week out of surgery, I m eating soft foods and feeling like I am on my way. Before I continue to ramble, let me say, "A BIG THANKS TO ALL THE FOLKS WHO SUPPORTED ME AND GAVE ME LOVE AND GAVE ME ADVICE AND GAVE ME COURAGE-HOPE-ADVICE.
So now, I will make come comments about my experience. Before you go to the hospital, buy what you need to eat: i highly recommend protien bullets, there is no way you are going to drink that carton of protien and you will hate the powder ones, they are low in protien and you wont be able to get in liquids due to surgery. Buy few packages of broth. I had the Swanson brand. The chicken broth started to smell oily to me; just a few days ago, I was sucking this stuff down. You will hate it after a few days. Sf popsicles are a godsend. Ice chips from Sonic. Motts Light Apple juice tasted like heaven and yes, I watered it down.
Had a long wait so I recommend bringing a good book or magazine or puzzle book. Leave the rest of your stuff in the trunk of your car. Your family can retrieve it later. You won't need ID after checkin due to hospital wristbands. If you have portable dvd bring it. My husband did and he was able to watch movies with headphones. He said it made wait time so much better.
I have natural hair,
but had it twisted so I wouldn't have to comb it. I recommend bringing a head scarf. Even thought they give you a bonnet for your hair, it helps. I packed just a little bit too much, but I needed my robe, slippers and toilet stuff. I bought a quilt to cover my bed. It helped keep the cold at bay and was a nice conversation piece. Walk, walk and more walk then practice breathing. Have someone walk with you. Drs. Hospital had a nice patio that was sweet for sunning/resting between steps.You wont be able to wear bra or undies after surgery--too much tender.
Too many changes to your body to look at. Wear a dress that covers all the important parts and a pair of sandals/flip flops. You are only going home.
Speaking of home, take with you those nice blue packs of washcloths, those small oz. cups. If your doctor gives you liquid pain meds, they are easy to rinse and easy measure. Saved me on tablespoons. the Hospital champlain visited adn prayed with us--that was a huge touch. Big impression
Important point--send someone to get your meds before you leave so they ride home with you. After being nurse-pampered for 2 days, I needed the support of pain meds.
They are useful. Back to the blue packs, when you start to do regular things, you will need wipes. Trust me. Details are dirty so I will spare them. Drink and follow orders. No exceptions. Helps avoid the terrible D's like dumping, di-o-re-a, dehydration.Sleep naturally; don't try to reproduce the hospital bed.
You will wake up with a pain headache from sleeping wrong on your staples. Climb up on your knees and lay down flat on your stomach if that is how you sleep. The first 3 days, I woke up every 4 hours with pain. I hope those of you who are pre-surgery take the information to heart. I really want your experience to be positive, so do positive things and prepare.
