tubes tubes and more tubes!!

hi there,
anyone have any suggestions about all these tubes I keep hearing about? I had pre-op this morning but did not get to talk to the "A" man so here is what I am afraid of
1) Breathing tube--are you really awake when they take it out ( I think I may freak!)
2) catheter--can they do that after you are under?

Is there anything else I can tell them up front to make it easier for me later? I read something about the "pump" do they do that while you are sleeping?
I wish they could just put me to sleep in the car on the way there!
I am getting really nervous can you tell?

Thank you sisters!
10 more days, I hope I can make it!

S.

As far as the breathing tube goes, you will still be so out of it after your surgery that if you do happen to wake up when they take it out, you will get through it and go back to sleep. Your gag reflex may kick in a little bit, but it isn't like you are totally away and they take it out.

As far as the catheter, I have had one put in while I was awake and un-medicated and it wasn't a big deal at all. When they first touch the opening, you feel a little pinch type feeling if you even want to call it that, but after it gets past that point, you can't even feel it.

Try not to get yourself freaked out by those things, because more than likely, you won't even know that it happened.

Bless you always!

Tonja

Hi,
First thing....relax, it will be here sooner than you think. The last few days of waiting sneak up quickly!
I have no recollection of them removing the breathing tube....so if I was awake....I sure was drugged up good! They aslo put in my catheter while I was asleep. It was removed the following morning. There was no discomfort with the removal of the catheter...or when they had to reinsert it it 7 hours later because I couldn't pee on my own yet ( I also had bladder work done). All bladder issues resolved after the catheter was removed the second time.
I was expecting a morphine pump when I woke up. I discussed this with my doctor at my pre op. She siad I would have one, but I did not. They gave me shots into the IV. I forgot to ask my doctor why I did not have the pump....I'll try to remember to ask at my 2 weeks check up .
I wish you the very best with your surgery and recovery. I am only one week post op and I feel great. I am taking it really easy so I can continue feeling this good, but I am looking forward to being able to do more.
Laurie

The impression I got from my pre-op before my previous surgery was that the pump for pain meds (morphine, demerol, whatever just BRING IT ON!!!) is attached through your IV.

There is a little thingy that is velcroed to your hand so you don't lose it. Can ya see that? Me flinging bedcovers all over the place yelling for my pain pump . All ya have to do is press the little button, and voila....off to lala land!

I'm just wondering why I can't have a pain pump RIGHT NOW!!!! Wouldn't I look cute at work pushing around an IV pole with a glazed look in my eyes, and a big goofy smile

I get the feeling you are getting really stressed. If you need to talk or vent, or whatever off the board, just PM me. I'm addicted to this site, so I'll be here off and on all day, and night, and tomorrow, and the next day, etc.

s to you
before you know it, it will be all over and you will be crowned Princess 39&feeling fantastic

We are all here for you

Tam

I wasn't awake when the breathing tube was removed (or put in). The catheter was put in after I was "out" and then removed the following morning. No sweat with its removal. My nurse was very protective to maintain my modesty when she removed it.

The pump is a PCA. It has an analgesic in it. Mine was morphine and was removed about 24 hours after surgery (although the IV tubing stayed in until the next day). My IV had a 24 hour antibiotic, the pain medicine, and fluid because I wasn't allowed to drink or eat anything for a while after surgery. Once that I was eating and drinking without any problems, the nurse removed the remaining IV hookup -- just a small bit of tubing left in case it was needed -- rather than starting the whole IV thing again.

SusieQ

Ladies, you are all the best! I really really am stressed, can't talk about it at home because DH does not understand! Thank God for all of you, I would really go crazy without you.
I thought the PCA pump was like an epidural, see I told you I am really confused!
If it were up to DH I would cancel and be done with it, but I did not come this far to give up!
Thank you all for answering, I feel a little better now!
's to all, you are the absolute best!


S.

The breathing tube comes out when you're still so groggy that you won't know it. The catheter comes out quite easily--the nurse says "I'm going to take it out now" and it's out. And what if you get a naso-gastric tube like I was surprised with? I braced myself when that came out--it was out in a flash and didn't bother me a bit. Tubes sound a lot more scary than they are.