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Yes, I have tests and appointments both Monday and Tuesday, then surgery on Wednesday. I am not sure how long to book the hotel. They told me I cannot check out early, but they can extend my stay with priority. I picked one with a shuttle to St. Mary Hospital. My husband is a country boy and not comfortable driving in cities he is not familiar with. I usually do the driving as I was raised in Memphis, TN. I figured he could shuttle back and forth to hospital, and it would be easier on him. I told him to watch closely the route so when I get discharged, he can drive to pick me up. We were told to stay a couple days after. Maybe that is just a precaution and may not be necessary depending on how I do. We are driving the 11-hour trip but are breaking it up and stopping at a hotel halfway. I do have a walker to bring in case I need it. I am a planner and would love to be practicing how to get out of bed, chairs, etc..then I could be strengthening those muscles. I cannot seem to find any videos on that. I know the nurses will show me, but I really would feel more comfortable practicing ahead of time. Today is 5/11...counting down and I am trying not to freak out and panic..I have only had one surgery in my life, a hysterectomy. I called everyone who I knew that had surgery and apologized for not knowing how painful it was..lol. I guess I am on go..had dental clearance, visited my cardiologists, who referred me to Dr. Dearani. Just overwhelming, with all I feel I need to do before hand. Not sure if should bring t-shirts to pull over head, button up stuff, I have no bra..don't really need to wear one..usually don't. I mean, can we wear our own PJ after we get out of ICU or do we stay in the hospital gowns? I can put stretch pants on so my hiney not show as I do my walking. Just feel so unprepared..
Replies to "Yes, I have tests and appointments both Monday and Tuesday, then surgery on Wednesday. I am..."
@oliviasoma, @walkinggirl sums up everything so precisely!
We three must be members of the same club...the only surgery I ever had was a hysterectomy in 2015!
I don't think, but I could be wrong, that they let you wear your own clothes in-house. They make you wear one-size-fits-nobody gowns that open in the front or the back depending on the use and also silly socks that have no form and feel like they are on the wrong foot. They have non-slip magical properties and they make you wear them all the time. One night, a wonderful angel nurse asked me if I wanted my socks off to sleep. I can't sleep with sock on...it was so great to have my feet free. Still didn't sleep, but at least the socks were off!
I too tried to practice not using my arms. Like getting up off the toilet, or out of a chair. It truly will come to you. Your instincts will kick in and you'll do it the best way for you.
Sounds like you have your surgical ducks in a row and are as ready as you can be!
The wardrobe challenges would be personal. Before surgery you are taking your shirt off and on every time you have another test. X-ray. MRI. Heart Cath. So I took loose tee shirts and stretchy waist linen pants. Slip on/off shoes are helpful too. I have said it before, I'll say it again! I thought I would be unable to use my arms at all. This was not the case...so you should be able to pull a shirt over your head. But just in case...take a button up for fun! And there was no way I could go without a bra, so based on a members advice, I took soft and cozy, step in and pull on lounge bras that I got at TJ Maxx in a two-pack. Made a big difference for me...I didn't want anything pulling down on my chest...and the girls would have done that!
You don't sound unprepared at all! You sound calm (though I know you are probably far from calm inside) and you sound practical. You are trying to plan for anything and everything. Something we all do! This isn't a camping trip or tropical vacation! Nope.
We stayed an extra two days...mostly because I was afraid to be away from the Mayo Clinic!
I would have been fine, but you don't know this at the time. We stayed directly across from St Mary's at the Courtyard Marriott. My guy was able to walk easily back and forth each day.
We are here for you!
I am 5 weeks out from my septal myectomy. One of the best things, in my opinion, was the thoracic splint they gave me..like a chest "hug" for support. I found it made maneuvering up and down, in and out of the car, and especially wearing a seat belt so much more comfortable. I wore it up until a week ago as it kept me from doing too much stretching early on. I wore it over my button up shirts and front close lounge bras which I preferred, but everyone is different. Fortunately, you will get a lot of good help while there from the different disciplines...PT, OT, Respiratory, besides the nurses. You will also get a special pillow for coughing or sneezing. We drove 2 days to and from western CO. I did have some muscle spasms/cramps in my hands, upper back, but I was given a muscle relaxant which worked great until my electrolytes normalized.
I found the Mayo/St.Mary's staff listened to my needs and helped me before and after my discharge from the hospital. I hope that reassures you a bit more.
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Hooray! You are good to go! We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express 0.2 from the St Mary's entrance (breakfast and free parking, you can see the entrance to St Mary's from the parking lot). The shuttle stops there and will transport you to the Gonda and other buildings "downtown" which is about a mile away. Takes time, the shuttle stops at a zillion hotels as it makes its rounds. That location worked well for us even though the accommodations were nothing fancy. We walked everywhere - took the shuttle once as we played tourists upon arrival and spotted a yummy ice cream stand that we later drove to. Parking near the hospital buildings is an issue, my husband drove just 2 minutes to pick me up upon discharge. A couple of days after the surgery, have hubby bring the walker to your room. If you can, core and back muscle exercises are helpful, I was complimented that I was able to do OT and PT easily (at a much slower personal pace). I wore hospital gowns, when I went for my strolls, another was supplied to wear like a coat. I wore muumuu type dresses for our trip home, no bras needed, very comfortable. "I am trying not to freak out and panic." Believe me, all of us who have gone through this have been in that high anxious state! We understand perfectly! It would be abnormal to not be in that state of mind! Funny that we both had the same previous surgery, mine was in 1979, it was worse that a myectomy, gas is a problem with abdominal surgery. People are different: I had absolutely no pain during my stay at Mayo, many reported back and neck pains to various degrees. If you have a medical friend at home, have them show you how you should cough holding a pillow close to your chest. Let us know how you are coming along!