Surgery tomorrow, what to do today?
- Thread starter JMC
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If you were me, you would have your eyelashes dyed (that's what I do the day before I go in for surgery) but I guess that wouldn't be appropriate for you. 
One thing that I've always aimed for, but never achieved, is to have a really good night's sleep the night before. The better condition your body is in, the better you will cope with the surgery.
Good luck :ghug:.
One thing that I've always aimed for, but never achieved, is to have a really good night's sleep the night before. The better condition your body is in, the better you will cope with the surgery.
Good luck :ghug:.
Just try to relax, I guess that's my best advice. But GOOD LUCK! I hope it's a success. I know, it's so nerve wracking trying to figure out what to do with yourself at these times. Are you on clear liquids or not eating at all? Cause what I'd do is make some tea and read a book til you fall asleep. You still have like 17 hours to go? Sleeping will make the time pass!
Good Luck! I started to get really nervous once I was there waiting for them to bring me into the prep area. Within 45 minutes though they started the anesthesia and then nothing!
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I made it! First night was very uncomfortable, but was then basically zonked out on morphine for 36 hours. I had a section of my sigmoid colon remove due to two fistulas and an ileostomy. Currently sitting up in bed watching TV with limited pain relief. Walking is a bit uncomfortable, but doing well so far.
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Glad things went well! Keep moving as much as you can...it seems to really help. I know, easier said than done.
Hope there's some good things on television to keep you distracted.
Take good care,
Kismet
Hope there's some good things on television to keep you distracted.
Take good care,
Kismet
That's great news! Hope you continue to do well! I agree with the getting up and moving. It really helps the gas move (which I found to be the most uncomfortable part)....
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Day 4: got out of bed, had a shower and got dressed in pyjamas without assistance.
The stoma is starting to produce so I am able to have cups of tea, fruit jelly and broth. I am completely off the PCA morphine, tbh I quickly realise I did not like the side effects so current pain relief is paracetamol and tramadol.
My central line is now out and my catheter was removed last night. I still have a line in my left arm for IV fluid (antibiotics and potassium) and a JVac drain close to my incision.
Physio objective for today is to walk up stairs, I am feeling confident I can do it at the moment.
The weather outside is also glorious so hopefully will go and sit in the garden later.
To be honest, I feel amazingly good, the surgery already seems to have made a difference.
The stoma is starting to produce so I am able to have cups of tea, fruit jelly and broth. I am completely off the PCA morphine, tbh I quickly realise I did not like the side effects so current pain relief is paracetamol and tramadol.
My central line is now out and my catheter was removed last night. I still have a line in my left arm for IV fluid (antibiotics and potassium) and a JVac drain close to my incision.
Physio objective for today is to walk up stairs, I am feeling confident I can do it at the moment.
The weather outside is also glorious so hopefully will go and sit in the garden later.
To be honest, I feel amazingly good, the surgery already seems to have made a difference.
That's excellent news! Glad everything has been going so well!
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Didn't manage to eat any fish, eating proved tougher today with lots of bloating and discomfort. I have to keep reminding myself to eat very, very slowly and get back on my feet regularly when it is the last thing I want to do.
I had three visitors today including a friend from work and that really perked me up.
I had three visitors today including a friend from work and that really perked me up.
Visitors are great for moral! My husband was also told to 'walk me' by my surgeon prior to the surgery. So he would make sure I got up and walked several times a day. It does definitly help move things along.
It does definitly help move things along.
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I'm glad things are moving along. Just keep in mind that some days, it seems like things are a setback or a challenge more than on other days. And it's hard not to overdo it on days that you feel well. Pace yourself. Oh, and stuff really really smells but seems to calm down later. After three months, the change became much easier, especially when you can work out a time when your stoma isn't so active and you'll barely catch a whiff!
Stay well,
Kismet
Stay well,
Kismet
Yay!!!
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That's great, but take things easy. :ysmile:
How are you going with your "appliances", as some of the hospital staff insist on calling them? - always makes me think that I have a fridge, or perhaps a dishwasher, attached to the front of me. Perhaps it's like the Anglo-Saxon/Norman language divide - lamb (a Norman word) was expensive, whereas mutton (an Anglo-Saxon word) was cheap. Do the upper class ones of us call them "appliances" and those of us from the colonies prefer "bags"?
How are you going with your "appliances", as some of the hospital staff insist on calling them? - always makes me think that I have a fridge, or perhaps a dishwasher, attached to the front of me. Perhaps it's like the Anglo-Saxon/Norman language divide - lamb (a Norman word) was expensive, whereas mutton (an Anglo-Saxon word) was cheap. Do the upper class ones of us call them "appliances" and those of us from the colonies prefer "bags"?
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Hi JMC,
Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. I have my re-section Op on Tuesday, and am looking through the threads, to find other people who have been there, and done that. Thank you for sharing your experience, it does help.
Is the stoma bag going to be perm?
J
Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. I have my re-section Op on Tuesday, and am looking through the threads, to find other people who have been there, and done that. Thank you for sharing your experience, it does help.
Is the stoma bag going to be perm?
J
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I am getting on fine with my bag, not heard anyone refer to it as an appliance even in the very posh Harley Street Clinic where I was treated. I had a little leakage accident last night, but it was no big deal. For anyone who has changed baby's nappies (diapers), a bag is much easier and cleaner to deal with.
Walking out of the hospital to get in a taxi made me realise I am still very weak and have lost a lot of muscle mass. My appetite is still poor and I am literally forcing myself to eat. Hopefully a bit of home cooking will sort me out.
Walking out of the hospital to get in a taxi made me realise I am still very weak and have lost a lot of muscle mass. My appetite is still poor and I am literally forcing myself to eat. Hopefully a bit of home cooking will sort me out.
Glad to hear things are going well! I definitly understand how weak you feel as you leave the hospital. I bought some dumbbells last weekend for home to at least do some arm exercises!
I don't have a bag, but it took over a week before I started to feel hungry again. Hope you get an appetite back soon!
I don't have a bag, but it took over a week before I started to feel hungry again. Hope you get an appetite back soon!
