Any hints for the countdown...

Hi ladies,
I am counting down---5 days to go before the trip to the castle on Friday. I'm wondering if I've overlooked anything in getting prepared for my stay, and afterwards too.
I will have the house clean, the freezer stocked with pre-cooked meals, bills paid and stocked up the pantries with necessary items, what else do I need to do?
I know this is just a means to keep busy these last days, but I'll go crazy with nothing to do but think.
Any hints on what made things easier post-op would be welcome!!

Anxiously yours,

Diane

Hi There Diane!! I Highly Recommend Putting a Pillow in the car so you have it for the ride home! You will definately need it!! Secondly, I would make sure that your bedroom is set up before hand! If you have a water pitcher, you can have someone fill it up with ice in the morning, and water, and that way you can have cold water all day long!! And chapstick for in the hospital!! You will need that too!! I took a lot of things to the hospital with me that I didnt even use. I took a book to read, puzzle book, etc. I was in there for 4 days and 3 nights. I barely remember the first 3 days. The nurses all knew the pain I was in, and I am so Thankful that they did not try to make me get up and walk for the first three days, per doctors instructions!! Yes, they gave me plenty of Pain meds, but I still could not move!! On the third day, I decided to get up and go to the bathroom because they finally took the cather out! So hang in there Diane!! I will be thinking about you, Good Luck!!

Sounds like you are pretty much on top of things. I did take a pair of earplugs to the hospital. Cuts down on the noise big time, helping you to rest. I assume you have your recovery room ready
made up pretty and a basket of thngs you'll need close by. I put gas-x and stool softener as well as some baby wipes and pens and paper in it etc. You'll do just great. Best of luck to you and may you be blessed with nice nurses!

Hey Diane-

You and I are on the countdown together --my surgery is Friday at 8:30a.m. - have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. but I figure I won't sleep the night before anyway!

I too have the refrig and freezer stocked, have just a couple last minute errands to do but then after Tuesday, I don't have to work so I figure I'll have plenty of time.

Thanks to the sisters and their hints, my bag is packed with the right stuff (I hope) Have my pre-op appt. this afternoon - alittle nervous about that but I'll get through it. Can't help but be strong when you read all the encouraging words of sisters that have been there before us and come out just fine.

Good luck to you Diane - keep in touch.

Jane Elizabeth
TAH BSO --5 days from now!!!

I just had mine done on the 12th. The wait is so much worse. It really is.

The first day you will sleep on and off and it will go by fast.

I also would suggest taking a few pillows from home. I am a pillow girl and love them. So I picked a king size on and then a regular one. I kept he king between my legs as I flipped from side to side in the bed.

I also couldn't wait to brush my teeth, so make sure they help you as soon as you can.

Sounds like you have everything under control and will do just fine.

I go in to see my doctor on friday so I will be thinking of you girls.

I brought my portable CD player with headphones and a "book on CD" to listen to. It put me to sleep everytime and I finished listening to it when I was home and recovering. I also brought a couple of CD's of just songs. Sting is my favorite and relaxing to me. This was the thing I used the most. Don't forget spare batteries too if you bring something like this. I had ear plugs too, but this worked best for me.
About the time before surgery, I would just keep yourself busy doing things you like or that you might miss while recovering. I went to a friends cabin for the weekend (my surgery was on a Monday) and went for a 4-wheel ride also. Then Sunday night, I wasn't sleeping anyway, I cleaned the house from top to bottom. Good luck and before you know it, it will be all done and you will feel better. I can't believe it has been 7 weeks for me already!!! You will wonder what you worried so much for.

Thought I had thought of everything....... EARPLUGS!! What a great idea. I jumped up and added them to my list.

THANKS!

Traci

Hi there! These are such great tips that the sisters are sharing. It helped me prepare for my surgery in April. I had a tape player and the Harry Potter books to keep me busy in the hospital. I loved it!

I also had my living room couch all fixed up with things to pamper ME and that really helped when my mood got low. I had tissues in case I needed to cry at the sad cat food commercials (I swear I did!) and lots of chocolate and crackers and cheese and magazines and a pretty pitcher of water and matching glass. I know I know I really overdid it, didn't I. But it was so lovely indulging myself and I'm certain it helped me heal MUCH faster!

Hang in there! It's so much nicer when it is all over! It really is.

I'm with you Diane and Jane. The nerves are now setting in big time. I have to be at the Hosp. at 7 for 9am surgery on Fri. Now that I am off work for the holidays ( schools are closed here tues. and wed.) and on thurs. I have to go to the castle to be typed and crossmatched. The days are going to drag by! Hopefully it will go fast! Good luck to all! Cathy TAH/BSO Sept. 21

Why not spend a bit of time over the next few days organizing some easy things you can do during your recovery period. Maybe you could gather up all your old photos and things that you want to arrange in a photo album or things that you would like to put in a scrapbook - or even recipes that you want to put in a recipe book. How about getting some other type of crafty things to do, i.e. rug hooking; oil painting; knitting, etc. And, also make sure you get whatever books and magazines you want to read.

I didn't arrange enough things to do during my recuperation period -- and wish I had because you won't really feeling like spending a lot of energy gathering things together after. One thing I did do though was put together a photo album of all my photos over the past 20 years -- and it turned out just great.

Good luck to you -- it will be over before you know it -- but the first two to three weeks can be quite boring if you don't have things to occupy your mind.