Today was my follow-up visit with my surgeon, Dr. Lewis. So it meant hitting the road bright and early for the drive to B-ham. Had to get a chest X-ray first, ...Read more
Today was my follow-up visit with my surgeon, Dr. Lewis. So it meant hitting the road bright and early for the drive to B-ham. Had to get a chest X-ray first, then had the surgeon consult.
Dr. Lewis is pleased with my progress. He said the X-ray looks perfect. My lungs are fully open and I can ditch the spirometer. Hurrah! He said my insomnia and anorexia are normal, and in fact most heart patients experience these post-surgical kinds of changes. Things will get back to normal over time though it varies by patient. He stressed to me that I did not just have surgery...that I had one of the most major kinds of OHS, a double valve heart replacement, so of course I will be tired and frustrated with my progress at times.
I'm back to work next Monday and hoping my energy will last all day. I will need to pace myself for sure. Tomorrow is my last visit from the home RN. Once I go back to work, they don't come anymore. So I will have to drag myself down to the Coumadin Clinic for blood testing, which is a huge pain literally and otherwise, as it's clear across town in the medical district where there's (a) no parking and/or (b) limited expensive parking.
I also want to do cardio rehab, but found out their only offered times are weekday mornings and early afternoons. So disappointed. Don't they realize some people work? I can't take time off to again drive clear across town, work out for an hour, then have to find a place to shower and drive many miles back to work. The job I start Monday is new (developmental assignment I competed for) so I think that would be really asking too much of a new employer, too. It's too bad that they don't offer evening or weekend cardio rehab sessions for those of us who work. Not everybody with heart issues is retired.
Ellen Leng Glad things are looking good. About the Cardio rehab...especially because you had a complex surgery t ... Read more
Ellen Leng Glad things are looking good. About the Cardio rehab...especially because you had a complex surgery the rehab is important! It has really helped me to improve my stamina for work and keep my mind at peace about not causing harm to my heart as you are monitored the whole time. You may be able to get into a cardiac rehab that's not affiliated with the hospital that did your surgery and has better hours for you. Do a little research locally about who has the programs and see if they fit your schedule a bit better. I recognize that it's tough to fit into a working schedule, but it is really worthwhile!
Patricia McAllister Thanks Ellen. We did call several other nearby hospitals, but found the same thing...very limited hou ... Read more
Patricia McAllister Thanks Ellen. We did call several other nearby hospitals, but found the same thing...very limited hours on the cardio rehab, and only during work hours so not doable for me. Looks like we may have to work up our own plan in a local gym and do the best we can!
Catie B Oh, I'm sorry there's no local program. The hospital where I did my rehab had a session that starts a ... Read more
Catie B Oh, I'm sorry there's no local program. The hospital where I did my rehab had a session that starts at 5:30/5:45 a.m. to help those who work daytime hours.
If you do your own program, perhaps this info will help. The cardiac rehab nurses would start by taking sitting heart rate and blood pressure. While exercising, they would not let you go more than 30 beats per minute above resting rate. We used the Nustep, recumbent bike, treadmill, and arm bike initially. A total of 45 minutes' exercise. Some strength building with hand weights was added later.
Eme Raven Slow and steady, that is what I often have to tell myself. You are used to your body being able to do ... Read more
Eme Raven Slow and steady, that is what I often have to tell myself. You are used to your body being able to do things, and your mind says you can, but your body knows better. It took me a long time to be able to listen to my body and work out what you can and can't do. But its a good lesson to learn.
I took a few days off from blogging to quietly enjoy the holidays. Hard to believe that in 4 days, it will have been a month since my surgery. I wish I was ...Read more
I took a few days off from blogging to quietly enjoy the holidays. Hard to believe that in 4 days, it will have been a month since my surgery. I wish I was improving faster. Had a bit of a setback with a fever for a few days. Fortunately it didn't send me back to the hospital. My appetite is nil, though. Nothing tastes good, not even old favorites. It's odd, but my stomach doesn't even growl if I go a whole day without food. Of course I know I should eat, but it's hard to force such a thing. My sleep schedule is still messed up too, so I sleep in bits and pieces when I can. I need to get back on track in the next few weeks though as I'm headed back to work. Hope everyone has a happier, healthier New Year!
Ellen Leng I had sleeping and eating issues for 4-6 weeks after surgery. My sleeping improved before my eating. ... Read more
Ellen Leng I had sleeping and eating issues for 4-6 weeks after surgery. My sleeping improved before my eating. Do try and eat, it really helps your healing! I'm small to start with, lost about 12 lbs in the hospital and have gained about 7-8 back over the past 13 weeks. My appetite is much better. I went back to work about 7 weeks and would have been better waiting just a week or 2 more for when I felt MUCH better. Wish I'd known that at the time :).
It does get better, we ALL think it should be faster, but this is a big surgery, and it just takes some time to heal.
A healthy happy new year to you!
Rita Savelis I hear you Patricia. My appetite took a very long time to come back. I ate, but it was mechanical. I ... Read more
Rita Savelis I hear you Patricia. My appetite took a very long time to come back. I ate, but it was mechanical. I think OHS puts a lot of your body into turmoil.... and there are various reactions all over the place. It's hard to go through the long waiting for to feel somewhat "normal" again. You can't force yourself to eat. I know how it is.
Heading back to work is another intense event. But then you do, and you're tired, and then a little less tired... One day at a time.
Everyone improves at their own rate, and more patients tend to share their positive moments than their harder ones, so one can feel like one should be getting better quicker...
Wishing you health and peace and fast improvement in 2017!
Steven A Husted it does get better it takes time and you do get your eating back to normal
Lila Richards Patricia, I had no appetite and had strange cravings. I drank 2 gallons of buttermilk! I drank a bott ... Read more
Lila Richards Patricia, I had no appetite and had strange cravings. I drank 2 gallons of buttermilk! I drank a bottle of Ensure or Carnation Instant breakfast when I didn't want to eat. About week 6 my appetite came back with a vengeance! Just in time for Christmas goodies! I'm quite sure I found the 12 lbs. I lost!
Eme Raven Food is evil, I have learned this over many years. Seriously though, you might try different foods, f ... Read more
Eme Raven Food is evil, I have learned this over many years. Seriously though, you might try different foods, fresh fruit or something with natural energy. Body has to expend energy to digest, easy to digest foods might also be good.
Tomorrow I'll be getting a cheesecake that I ordered some weeks ago from a co-worker's son who was holding a fundraiser. Great timing as I'll have it for Christmas. ...Read more
Tomorrow I'll be getting a cheesecake that I ordered some weeks ago from a co-worker's son who was holding a fundraiser. Great timing as I'll have it for Christmas. DH doesn't like cheesecake so it will last me extra long. Between this treat and my recliner, I have it made now.
Saw the cardiologist yesterday who said I look good and my incision is healing nicely. It's not a pretty scar though. I haven't been taking any pain meds and she thinks I should at least to sleep. I just don't like the way they make me feel. I admit the pain is constant at various levels, mostly around the incision. Recliner helps a lot in relieving that pull. I don't know what they did to my poor arms on that operating table, but they hurt something fierce, especially at the shoulder joints as if they were wrenched over my head. Heat packs help some. Everything will just take time and patience. I need to work on both.
Phyllis Petersen Relieving the pain is important and after you take the pain meds for awhile, even if just for sleepin ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen Relieving the pain is important and after you take the pain meds for awhile, even if just for sleeping, you should have fewer problems. It's hard to get the most out of your recovery if you're in pain. Good luck and enjoy the cheesecake.
Eme Raven Reclining is good, I recline all the time while doing things, less pressure on the body. Tell me more ... Read more
Eme Raven Reclining is good, I recline all the time while doing things, less pressure on the body. Tell me more about this Cheesecake I love them :)
Rita Savelis I hated taking meds as well, but was talked into taking sleeping pills occasionally by doctors who sa ... Read more
Rita Savelis I hated taking meds as well, but was talked into taking sleeping pills occasionally by doctors who said that rest was important for healing.
Heat packs help, as does time, but you might try the occasional pain med as well to give yourself a break.
And cheesecake can take your mind elsewhere!
Meredith Bray Regarding sleep: I was about 6 months post-op before I had a really REALLY full good night of sleep. ... Read more
Meredith Bray Regarding sleep: I was about 6 months post-op before I had a really REALLY full good night of sleep. Here is what worked for me regarding shoulder/back pain: make sure everything is supported when you are resting! This means:
HEAD - try using a U-shaped travel pillow, or a small towel or t-shirt rolled up under your neck
SHOULDERS - wedge a bed pillow under each armpit to carry some of your shoulder weight
ARMS- support your arms (upper & lower) with pillows of some sort to take the weight off your shoulders.
CORE MUSCLES - make sure you are standing up straight and not curling inward/hunching over.
I still don't sleep well more than 6 hours at a time, it'll be 3 years in March.
Today was a big outing. I haven't been able to rest comfortably anywhere and our living room couch is too low and poofy; it doesn't have good support and is ...Read more
Today was a big outing. I haven't been able to rest comfortably anywhere and our living room couch is too low and poofy; it doesn't have good support and is hard to get up out up of out. So we decided to shop for a recliner. I have I one non-negotiable: Made in USA. Yep, expensive. But will last many years, and we found a nice one that will be delivered Saturday. Trying it in the store was like Christmas and they were having a sale. I'm not a big shopper but this chair feels awesome!
Dwight Miller You will love it. I think a recliner is a must for anyone recovering from OHS. I was a stomach sleepe ... Read more
Dwight Miller You will love it. I think a recliner is a must for anyone recovering from OHS. I was a stomach sleeper prior to surgery, I doubt I will go back.
Darlene Smith I used my recliner for about 2 months!!! Loved it and didn't want to go back to laying flat.
Jim Whipple I'm trying a recliner and bed combo. The recliner is winning out every night. Had surgery on the 12 ... Read more
Jim Whipple I'm trying a recliner and bed combo. The recliner is winning out every night. Had surgery on the 12/5 and things seems to be going well. The unexpected cough is a killer though..
Daniel Kung I will find out how much I like my recliner tonight. It's a bit small.
Daniel Kung Darlene: As you know, I was rather worry about the stairs in my townhouse and how long would it take ... Read more
Daniel Kung Darlene: As you know, I was rather worry about the stairs in my townhouse and how long would it take me to walk all the way up to my 4rd floor bedroom. It turns out, like you said, stairs are not a problem. I went all the way up to my bedroom on the 3rd floor and down, at least 3 times today with no much shortness of breath. I guess too much imangination can drive myself craze. :-)
Phyllis Petersen Good for you Daniel. I had one flight for my first week and a half at my cousin's house and I didn't ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen Good for you Daniel. I had one flight for my first week and a half at my cousin's house and I didn't want to do it too much. I live on the 2nd floor at home, but only had to do that going in and out of the apartment. I'm glad to hear you're doing well.
Phyllis Petersen Patricia, Congrats on the getting a new recliner. I hope it lets you sleep better.
Daniel Kung Last night, I tried my recliener first, but, could not find the right angle and decided to use wedge ... Read more
Daniel Kung Last night, I tried my recliener first, but, could not find the right angle and decided to use wedge form. It felt like back into 7 West's bed so I stayed in it for the whole night. I also must say, with the right roommate, I slept really well. :-)
Stephanie Jones i used the recliner in my hosp room every day. not just for the comfort of laying at an angle, but al ... Read more
Stephanie Jones i used the recliner in my hosp room every day. not just for the comfort of laying at an angle, but also to keep my feet elevated to reduce fluids in my legs and feet. I have a recliner and reclining couches at home.... its really terrific to have, and worth the price!
Daniel Kung I do use my other recliners in my living room to watch TV and taking a nap. These recliners are much ... Read more
Daniel Kung I do use my other recliners in my living room to watch TV and taking a nap. These recliners are much wider and comforatable, comparing to one I have on the 1st floor.
Darlene Smith Daniel, sounds like you are on the right track and finding out what works for you and what doesn't. ... Read more
Darlene Smith Daniel, sounds like you are on the right track and finding out what works for you and what doesn't. Yes, our imaginations can make us worry needlessly!!! Glad things seem to be going well.
Eme Raven Took me a while to get on this, but so happy to hear your home and recovering! Will watch here for up ... Read more
Eme Raven Took me a while to get on this, but so happy to hear your home and recovering! Will watch here for updates!
A home health nurse is coming in a couple days a week to check my vitals, my meds, my incisions and a long list of other stuff. They are right here in town ...Read more
A home health nurse is coming in a couple days a week to check my vitals, my meds, my incisions and a long list of other stuff. They are right here in town so it's handy. Tomorrow is my first trip to get my coumadin level checked at the clinic. Even though I got two bio valves, I will need to be on warfarin for a few months. You have to get frequent blood checks while on this nasty stuff. One reason I chose bio over mechanical valves is I didn't want to take blood thinners forever with all the risks and restricted diet. I also know I couldn't stand any ticking sound in my chest. Sure, steampunk is cool, just not in my chest.
Steven A Husted god bless you and may you have a smooth recovery
Lynne Nind I read this with interest. I was scheduled to have both valves replaced but they decided the risk was ... Read more
Lynne Nind I read this with interest. I was scheduled to have both valves replaced but they decided the risk was too great at my age (76) and only replaced the mitral with bovine valve. The aortic valve has been stable for a few years so they don't expect any changes and because there were complications with the MVR it was a good decision. Did you have both replaced in the one operation?
I agree with you about Warfarin. I had to have my blood tested 4 days in a row and watch my diet. They let me back onto my old blood thinner, Zarelto at 5 weeks and am so glad as it was so restrictive. I have been on Zarelto for a few years because I had AF and have had no problems. This is the brand name here in Australia so you probably know it as something else.
I am at 7 weeks now and feel almost like the old me. I had cartilage torn during the op and if not for that pain I would be laughing. Must admit I tire easily so I try not to overdo it. I hope you heal as quickly as I have done. Good luck!
Patricia McAllister Hi Lynne, Yes I had both valves replaced but didn't have notice on it. So I woke up with the surprise ... Read more
Patricia McAllister Hi Lynne, Yes I had both valves replaced but didn't have notice on it. So I woke up with the surprise sternotomy. Looking forward to getting off Warfarin in a couple months. Good luck to you and hope you feel better!
As DH posted, I am finally home. It felt like I would never get out of the hospital. Let's face it, you never truly get any rest in there...but despite all ...Read more
As DH posted, I am finally home. It felt like I would never get out of the hospital. Let's face it, you never truly get any rest in there...but despite all the hassles, the PBMC staff went above and beyond. What a great hospital! There is so much I need to do at home, but I am restricted and my energy waxes and wanes. I have to pace myself. Will take awhile for my schedule to settle and my sleeping patterns to normalize. Good thing I have some time off.
Chris Jowers You're home! :) The most excellent part of any hospital stay is going to sleep in your OWN bed. WHEW! ... Read more
Chris Jowers You're home! :) The most excellent part of any hospital stay is going to sleep in your OWN bed. WHEW! Now its time for rest and recovery. You are on the road, Patz! :)
Our update for Dec. 12: Finally the news we have been waiting for...Patricia can go home today!! So gather up the belongings, get the prescription drug package, ...Read more
Our update for Dec. 12: Finally the news we have been waiting for...Patricia can go home today!! So gather up the belongings, get the prescription drug package, etc. Drove home and after a short rest into the shower. The wound bandage/vacuum system came off in shower (as they said it would), so now no more devices dangling. Good show Girl! Your Dear Hubby.
Patricia McAllister Hi Stephanie, I think it's called the wound vac system was called Prevena...I wore it after surgery, ... Read more
Patricia McAllister Hi Stephanie, I think it's called the wound vac system was called Prevena...I wore it after surgery, a box that was attached to the wound for about a week. Somehow it keeps the incision clean/sealed. Bit of a pain dragging the box around and it did make purring/chirping noises.
Here is our update for Dec. 11: Dr. Lewis was here Sunday morning, "Patricia, you still have too much water so you will need to stay at least another day." ...Read more
Here is our update for Dec. 11: Dr. Lewis was here Sunday morning, "Patricia, you still have too much water so you will need to stay at least another day." :(
So more of the usual bathroom, shower and walk. Actually walked THREE times today. Getting a bit easier to get in and out of bed. Final central IV line removed :) Appetite a bit better, but still more thirst than hunger. Hard to sleep as nurses and such always in to do some poke or prod- that is after they scan my wristband like some packaged item at a grocery checkout. Hang in there girl. Report and encouragement by Dear Hubby.
Daniel Kung Last night my nurse suggested closing my room door which did make the room a lot quiet & easire to sl ... Read more
Daniel Kung Last night my nurse suggested closing my room door which did make the room a lot quiet & easire to sleep.
Chris Jowers I'll send a few of the boys around to make sure they stop waking you up. Aslok is really good at that ... Read more
Chris Jowers I'll send a few of the boys around to make sure they stop waking you up. Aslok is really good at that sort of thing. ;) Hate that you guys are still there. Fingers crossed you are back home today!
Stephanie Jones well you sure will look forward to going home soon, sleeping in your own bed without being woken up!! ... Read more
Stephanie Jones well you sure will look forward to going home soon, sleeping in your own bed without being woken up!! sounds like you are recovering well! :)
Julianne Beatty keep walking, move that fluid out. i know the hospital is so noisy at night.
Update for Dec. 10: Recovery progressing just like the day before. Had to walk two times. Doctor feels still a bit too much water retention to allow a safe ...Read more
Update for Dec. 10: Recovery progressing just like the day before. Had to walk two times. Doctor feels still a bit too much water retention to allow a safe release-darn! Will take it day by day from now, they decide stay or go each day in the morning.
Clare Auten I wanted to come home so badly when I was in the hospital and convinced them to send me home. I ended ... Read more
Clare Auten I wanted to come home so badly when I was in the hospital and convinced them to send me home. I ended up having to go back 2 days later for an extra two days. Patience is definitely needed. It will be time to go home soon enough. Glad everything else is going well. Keep walking.
Daniel Kung I was given "water pills" yesterday & I pee almost every 30 minutes for the next there hours. I'd not ... Read more
Daniel Kung I was given "water pills" yesterday & I pee almost every 30 minutes for the next there hours. I'd noticed my hands, fingers, ... etc were no longer puffy. I'll find out today how much weight I did loss.
Julianne Beatty that water retention is crazy, no? i gained 15 lbs of water after my surgery.
Catie B So true, Daniel. Lasix = constant treks to the bathroom for about three hours.
Hope they will release ... Read more
Catie B So true, Daniel. Lasix = constant treks to the bathroom for about three hours.
Hope they will release you before long, Patricia.
Chris Jowers You will be back home and causing trouble in time, Patz. :) Keep pushing and keep healing.
Daniel Kung Right before the surgery I was at 144. Before leaving the stepdown I was 162. After couple water pill ... Read more
Daniel Kung Right before the surgery I was at 144. Before leaving the stepdown I was 162. After couple water pills I was at 153 yesterday. Just had another water pill at 4:30 AM and I discharged 900 cc of urine in 2 hours. This pill does a number on your body weight for sure. It also lower your BP & making you feel tired.
Dear Hubby's Update: Dec. 9 was a productive day for Patricia's recovery. Walk happened at least two times-maybe even three. Plus a shower. Healing going well. ...Read more
Dear Hubby's Update: Dec. 9 was a productive day for Patricia's recovery. Walk happened at least two times-maybe even three. Plus a shower. Healing going well. Just waiting for a bit more water/weight loss to allow for discharge from the hospital. Super effort my dear!
Chris Jowers So glad you are doing well, Patz! Its that Irish Iron blood. :)
Dear Hubby's Dec. 8 update: Patricia took a shower and was in and out of bed to chair many times. The getting up and down is the most stressful, hence painful, ...Read more
Dear Hubby's Dec. 8 update: Patricia took a shower and was in and out of bed to chair many times. The getting up and down is the most stressful, hence painful, part. No hall walk today but hopefully with some rest that can resume on Friday. Keep at it Girl!
Stephanie Jones Nice! I only got wiped down with heated wipes. Felt so good to be clean! The more she walks the bett ... Read more
Stephanie Jones Nice! I only got wiped down with heated wipes. Felt so good to be clean! The more she walks the better she will feel! Tell her I am thinking of her!
Amy Steele Great progress! Like Stephanie said, the more she's up, the better she will feel. Keep up the good w ... Read more
Amy Steele Great progress! Like Stephanie said, the more she's up, the better she will feel. Keep up the good work, Patricia.
Cathleen Weed Walk walk walk ....it prevents 90% of post-op complications. 🚶🚶🚶🚶 Bribe her if you have t ... Read more
Cathleen Weed Walk walk walk ....it prevents 90% of post-op complications. 🚶🚶🚶🚶 Bribe her if you have to but get her moving! 💛
Dear Hubby with Dec 7 update: Princeton Baptist Hospital is taking great care of Patricia. Wonderful doctors, nurses, staff and meals. Yes, meals. In a hospital. ...Read more
Dear Hubby with Dec 7 update: Princeton Baptist Hospital is taking great care of Patricia. Wonderful doctors, nurses, staff and meals. Yes, meals. In a hospital. Full plates of potatoes, meats, veggies that reminds one of the golden age of air travel in the 1950's. Unfortunately, appetite is still down a bit. Girl is thirsty though...let the water, iced tea and cranberry juices flow. More of those mysterious hoses and tubes have been removed-all that remain are an oxygen tube, a portable wound vacuum and the cardiac monitor. Today was first day of walking...the entire length of the hall and back. Walk went very well, but it was still painful. Throat still a bit dry and sore so only a little bit of quiet conversation right now. Thursday should be a repeat of today with MORE walking. Way to go Warrior Girl! Dear Hubby wants you home soon.
Dear Hubby with latest update: After one night in the post-op recovery room, Patricia was moved to a regular hospital room. To do this she had to get out of ...Read more
Dear Hubby with latest update: After one night in the post-op recovery room, Patricia was moved to a regular hospital room. To do this she had to get out of the bed into a wheelchair. At the new room, into the bed with just a bit of help by the nurses. Regular food for meals and by mid-day the IV drip tubes were removed. Getting in/out of bed a few times today. Hopefully by Dec 7 walking can slowly start. Way to go girl !! Your proud hubby Steve.
Chris Jowers That is fantastic! Thank you again for posting these updates, Steve. Keep on improving, Patz! Woo Woo ... Read more
Chris Jowers That is fantastic! Thank you again for posting these updates, Steve. Keep on improving, Patz! Woo Woo! :)
Dear Hubby reporting on Patricia: Was able to see Patricia approx one hour after the surgery-she was looking good, but still deeply asleep. Nurses told me breathing ...Read more
Dear Hubby reporting on Patricia: Was able to see Patricia approx one hour after the surgery-she was looking good, but still deeply asleep. Nurses told me breathing tube would come out around 6 pm and that 8 pm would be the best time to visit with a chance of having her awake. Only at the end of my visit, around 8:30 pm, did Patricia briefly wake up. We spoke and she wanted some water. Visiting hours are over for the day. Recovery very smooth so far. Hopefully Patricia will get moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room on Tuesday.
Amy Steele Thanks for the update. So glad to hear that the surgery went well and that her recovery is progressi ... Read more
Amy Steele Thanks for the update. So glad to hear that the surgery went well and that her recovery is progressing normally. I'll keep you both in my prayers.
Patricia's surgery has just been completed. She is being moved to the intensive care for recovery to begin. Dr. Lewis and team performed a TEE just prior to ...Read more
Patricia's surgery has just been completed. She is being moved to the intensive care for recovery to begin. Dr. Lewis and team performed a TEE just prior to surgery that unfortunately indicated that both the mitral and aortic valve would need to be replaced. So the surgery was conventional rather than minimally invasive. Patricia wont awaken for several hours yet, so I volunteered to post the initial post-op report.
Cathleen Weed Wow was she informed of this change of status before the surgery or will she be waking up to this new ... Read more
Cathleen Weed Wow was she informed of this change of status before the surgery or will she be waking up to this news? Prayers and hugs 💛
Stephanie Jones Glad it was a fixable issue. Im 5 days post op, through the sternum also. Tell her it gets 5000% bet ... Read more
Stephanie Jones Glad it was a fixable issue. Im 5 days post op, through the sternum also. Tell her it gets 5000% better once the drain tubes come out !
Chris Jowers Thank you for keeping us informed. Whew glad it went well.
Monday Nov. 28th I started my odyssey of pre-admission tests. The first hurdle was the special CAT scan.
The tech explained that my kidney function needed ...Read more
Monday Nov. 28th I started my odyssey of pre-admission tests. The first hurdle was the special CAT scan.
The tech explained that my kidney function needed to be tested before anything else, because if that’s impaired, the CAT much less surgery can’t happen. She said the kidney function test would be done with a simple finger poke. Not fun but not a deal-breaker.
She didn’t mention until said finger lancet was poised that she needed to fill an entire vial of blood from my single poor finger. This was a first for me. Wouldn’t it be easier to draw blood than squeeze a single finger that hard to get so much blood out? Well, it got done anyway, but because I’d been fasting for hours I was dehydrated and the blood wasn’t easy to coax (pound?) out.
That was the first hurdle of the day, but of course the IV was still looming. The tech promised she would only try once and then send for the big guns. She kept her word and when she couldn’t get my IV going, sent for an RN. He got the IV in first try but also triggered Old Faithful in the process. Fortunately I had on a black shirt and dark olive pants. (Bonus: The cheery RN did include practical laundering instructions with his post-poke pep-talk!)
Next I got to sit around for a long time with a big 20 cc syringe dangling fashionably outta my elbow vein while the CAT was prepped. After so much fanfare, the CAT itself didn’t take long. But the saline flush burned for some reason, and the contrast gave its usual unpleasant metallic aftertaste plus the embarrassing “Help!-Ima-peeing-my-pants” sensation that, fortunately, is just an illusion.
CAT done, I thought the worst must be over and all that remained was paperwork. But what paperwork it was. Impressively piled to the ceiling. To give you an idea, my CAT was at noon and I finished the paperwork about 4 p.m., without taking any bathroom breaks or getting lunch or even a single sip of water.
And I still wasn’t done. When told I needed to give blood (again with the needles, and they wanted 7-8 vials I think), I just about passed out. Again my dehydrated condition made it really hard for the tech to find a good vein and she was all apologies. Finally she hit a vein but it dried up and almost instantly clotted. She actually prayed aloud and the flow restarted without another poke. So I was literally witness to a bloody miracle, as Monty Python might quip.
The last remaining hurdle was a simple chest X-ray. Why that couldn’t be done earlier with the CAT (it was in the exact same place) was bewildering. Even the staff admitted it’s silly to send patients schlepping all over the hospital grounds for this stuff, rather than grouping it together by place/function to save time and effort. Yep, this hospital is small compared to many, but we still need a physical map to find our way around.
Tests finally over and having gone nonstop 12 hours with no sustenance, I requested...OK, DEMANDED...Cheesecake Factory. It was about a 22 minute drive from PBMC. It was surprisingly empty, no wait, we got a booth and everything tasted superb. I was just as excited by the salad that I so rarely get to have (Chinese Chicken Salad) as the cheesecake. Will post a photo of crowning achievement.
Before I forget, let me wrap the pre-admin testing topic by saying that everyone I’ve encountered at PBMC so far, from the info desk folks to the RNs, has been genuinely kind and helpful. Nobody was gruff, abrupt, or impatient. I’ve had many and less-than-stellar medical experiences in the past, but so far the PBMC staff is exceeding all expectations. Their warmth and sincerity truly makes everything a little easier.
~Patricia
Catie B That was a very full and complex day! I know you were glad to have the poking and prodding stop. Best ... Read more
Catie B That was a very full and complex day! I know you were glad to have the poking and prodding stop. Best to you!
Patricia McAllister Thanks, Catie. I had to laugh when I read an instruction form from the hospital that says, "Allow an ... Read more
Patricia McAllister Thanks, Catie. I had to laugh when I read an instruction form from the hospital that says, "Allow an hour or so for pre-admin tests..." One hour? Perhaps that was a typo ;)
The trip to Birmingham last Sunday seemed like more like an episodic ordeal from LOTR, but that was just mere coincidence. When I picked dates, hadn’t even ...Read more
The trip to Birmingham last Sunday seemed like more like an episodic ordeal from LOTR, but that was just mere coincidence. When I picked dates, hadn’t even considered the fact that everyone would be returning home from the Thanksgiving holiday that night.
So the drive took about 3x longer than normal due to post-holiday traffic. It was stop-and-go with the car in first gear most of the way. Plus a couple big wrecks mixed it up, so traffic went down to single lane for many, many miles. Good times!
We left early afternoon (normally a 1½ hour drive) but finally got to Bham about 7 p.m. That meant we had to take a raincheck on Cheesecake Factory, because we had to check into the hospital’s hotel by a certain time.
On the weekends, most of Princeton Baptist Medical Center’s (PBMC) entrances aren’t open. We had to park at the hospital’s east entrance and hoof it almost half a mile dragging our bags to get checked in.
On top of everything else, DH has a broken foot (but my rebel/bad boy isn’t wearing his medically prescribed boot), so we must have looked quite a comical sight, both of us limping and hobbling along at a snail’s pace. I think during normal hospital business hours we may have been able to ask for a wheelchair or some kind of help, but only the ER was open Sunday night and the halls were deserted. We just walked slowly but tried to keep a quick sense of humor.
You gotta pay to park your car at the hospital but if you leave the lot for any reason, you have to pay all over again when you return. So by the time we got checked into a room, neither one of us could bear the thought of re-hiking the ½ mile back to the car and driving clear across town in the dark, nope, not even for that rarefied cheesecake.
We were hungry though after spending half a day trapped in I-65 gridlock. By a stroke of luck we discovered a Subway right in the hospital that was open for about 30 more mins after we arrived. Voila, dinner! (Admittedly a purely desperate impulsive move). Honestly though, that mundane turkey sub tasted amazing.
Our onsite hotel room was quaintly reminiscent of a long-gone decade with Carter-era furnishings and avocado-green walls to boot, but it was clean. Was so exhausted I slept despite bursts of noise like sirens (our room was near the ER and also a helipad that saw action). I didn’t even mind the thwop-thwop-thwop-thwop of blades right outside the window.
As usual, my writing is getting overlong, so I’ll stop here and force myself to parcel out the goodies. Watch for Part 2 tomorrow :) I'll try to remember to post it before we zip back to Bham.
Cheers~
Patricia
Catie B Oh my. That trip was a real ordeal! I'm glad that part is over for you guys and hoping the next phas ... Read more
Catie B Oh my. That trip was a real ordeal! I'm glad that part is over for you guys and hoping the next phases go far more smoothly.
Patricia McAllister Thanks, Catie! We get to do it all over again today...fortunately we know the drill a little better ... Read more
Patricia McAllister Thanks, Catie! We get to do it all over again today...fortunately we know the drill a little better now!
Today Dear Hubby (DH) and I are headed down to Bham to get my pre-admission paperwork and a special CAT scan done a week ahead of my surgery on Dec. 5th. We ...Read more
Today Dear Hubby (DH) and I are headed down to Bham to get my pre-admission paperwork and a special CAT scan done a week ahead of my surgery on Dec. 5th. We have things to do in our hometown first, so we won’t hit the road until later this afternoon. We’ll be staying overnight right at the hospital’s hotel.
Many pre-surgery hoops to jump through tomorrow. I imagine I will be mighty hungry by the time it’s all over. Gotta fast for the CAT starting at midnight tonight (I’ve never lucked out and gotten an MRI; seems I always end up having to get a CAT…which means fasting, the inevitable battle of getting the IV in, and the general unpleasantness of contrast dye!)
I had a standard CAT in January 2016 when my world last turned upside down. I’m pretty sure that I’m way over the recommended max lifetime limit for CATs now with my darkly impressive medical history.
However, this CAT scan tomorrow is a special kind needed for this specific surgery. I’d asked if I could get it done at my local hospital (thus avoiding the NASCAR-sponsored white-knuckle freeway drive to Bham), but the surgeon’s office wasn’t sure that they offer this kind of CAT here.
In the end I decided it’s better to drive down and get it done by the folks actually doing the surgery next week, so they get exactly what they want/need. Otherwise it’d be my luck to have it done locally and it would be done wrong or not have exactly what they need, so I’d have to do it all over again.
There’s a kind of humorous irony that I’m traveling so far to get a major procedure done at a smaller hospital. It’s about half the size of my local hospital and of course tiny in comparison to Cleveland Clinic, but Dr. Lewis says the staff at Princeton Baptist Medical Center is amazing, especially the nurses. I’m looking forward to finding out if that’s true. (Think that’s a first for me, looking forward to ANY hospital visit…:)
DH and I also decided that despite the serious reason for today’s Bham drive, that doesn’t mean the trip itself has to be grim and joyless. Since I have to start fasting at midnight tonight, I’m planning on checking into bedtime with a last, lingering happy swallow of carrot cake cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory in Bham.
~Patricia
Phyllis Petersen I had to fast from 7 pm the night before! 12 hours of fasting for my blood work. I had both a CT and ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I had to fast from 7 pm the night before! 12 hours of fasting for my blood work. I had both a CT and MRI back-to-back at my local hospital before going up to Cleveland, each with a different contrast. Then, I had another CT at Cleveland Clinic also with contrast. There is so much involved in getting to the operating room! Good luck with all your tests! Enjoy that carrot cheesecake!
Patricia McAllister Thanks, Phyllis! Back home now and due to post an update here soon on the experience. Last night's s ... Read more
Patricia McAllister Thanks, Phyllis! Back home now and due to post an update here soon on the experience. Last night's severe weather here caught us off guard, so it's caused a bit of a delay.
Phyllis Petersen Stay safe! The pictures on the news were quite scary.
If you do your own program, perhaps this info will help. The cardiac rehab nurses would start by taking sitting heart rate and blood pressure. While exercising, they would not let you go more than 30 beats per minute above resting rate. We used the Nustep, recumbent bike, treadmill, and arm bike initially. A total of 45 minutes' exercise. Some strength building with hand weights was added later.