Pat's Guestbook

The social services department at the hospital will interview you before you are discharged. They will make sure you either a) have help at home for the first week after surgery, or b) are sent to a rehab center (you know, like a nursing home for recovering patients). About 10 days after you're discharged, you'll probably be able to mostly take care of yourself, except for driving (probably not until week 4 or 5, depending on healing). Even though I had someone at home to help me, I still got a visiting nurse for 2 weeks, and a 2 physical therapist visits. I promise you, the hospital isn't going to just say, "Boop! You're done, go home now!" That information was not part of my pre-op visits, so I really thought I was just going home with no indication of help. I had 2 cardiac catheterizations. One was awful, and one was a piece of cake. What made the first one awful? Lack of information. So they put you on a table, numb up a spot, and put a pretty decent sized hole in your artery (mine was near my groin area both times). You may or may not get a twilight drug as well. I did the first time, and I felt really drunk. The second time (in a different facility) I told them I was anxious so I think they gave me extra because I fell asleep - or just don't remember anything. They stick some tubes in the artery and slide them up to your heart. then they inject some dye so they can see all the comings and goings around your heart. The dye will give you a very warm flush. I thought I peed on myself! You might feel some wiggling in your chest, or you might not. In my opinion, the worst part is afterward. They have to make sure the artery hole seals up, so they have to wrap it very tight. Since mine was in my leg, I had to lay flat (FLAT) for several hours. This is where the discomfort plays in. You're supposed to ingest a lot of fluids to flush out the dye (they didn't tell me that!) so you're on a saline IV and they push water on you. But you have to stay flat, right? If you're lucky they may pop in a catheter. I wasn't lucky - they made me use a bed pan. The first experience I declined out of modesty and inexperience. I didn't know how to use a bedpan, and I sure wasn't going to learn in front of a stranger, right? So I "held it" for 8 hours, and nobody noticed. When I was released, i got up and used the toilet, got dressed, and leaned over to tie my shoes. BOOM passed out. That earned me an overnight in the hospital. No fun at all, since I wasn't an in- patient they didn't have me on a meal schedule. The second experience was MUCH better. I told the nurses I was a bit anxious, that I didn't know how to use a bedpan, that I was very self-conscious about toileting procedures in front of others, and that I wanted to do everything I could to keep from making a mess for them to clean up. Bless their hearts, they gave me a mini lesson (with humor!) how to use the bedpan, put down absorbent pads, and insisted I didn't make a mess (I know they were fibbing!) Plus I got water, tea, juice, food, and someone watching me until I was coherent. So I guess my advice is to be upfront with the staff about your fears. When the nursing staff looks at you, they see a patient. They don't see someone on Medicare, and they don't know anything about you. Yes, hospitals can be impersonal, especially when discussing money and payment. But the staff is awesome. And if you're honest and open with them, and nice and friendly, you'll get it back a thousand times. I didn't mean to write that much. I remember how scared I was when my cardiologist first told me he was sending me for a heart cath. I wouldn't wish that terror on ANYONE! What other questions? -Meredith (PS my 14 year old cats waited almost 6 months before they walked on me after surgery. It was like the knew.....)