Huge ugly operation......

My huge op has been moved up to next Tuesday at 8 am.

Went to the pre-op today, found out a lot about how they manage pacemaker dependent patients.

We are a "challenge" for the anaesthetists......but we do get a cardiac anaesthetist, even though it's abdominal surgery.

Unfortunately, we also get central venous lines, arterial lines and more gross "stuff", so that they can monitor us very carefully.

They seemed most unconcerned about the pacemaker, which was my main concern....til I heard about all those horrid lines.

I guess it just keeps on ticking, while we take a licking!

If you can come off your coumadin for five days, you can have an epidural put in at the end of your op, to control your pain for 48 hours. It's called a "walking epidural" as they want you walking the next day.....wow! Not far but walking....to get the systems going again.

I'm very frightened at all the "risks" of infection, heart attack and stroke.....etc. and these "lines" add to those risks but at least they'll be monitoring me very closely.

We usually go to a step-down unit, 2:1 nursing for a day or two.

I'm a total wreck about this......they are being very inflexible about me having family stay with me once I'm out of the step-down unit.

Due to a very horrible experience, at a different hospital, the doc said he'd make "concessions" but the Nrsg Mgr doesn't seem to agree.

I sure hope I don't have to cancel this, shall make up my mind on Monday....I cannot do this without my family with me.

Please send positive thoughts to this non-patient centred care Nurse Manager. Thankyou.


Bionic Beat

6 Comments

You're in my prayers

by Ken(Toronto) - 2008-09-13 06:09:43

I also pray that your family will be with you, and that your operation will go smoothly.

Ken

you got it!

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-13 08:09:07

sending cyber hugs and prayers your way. You'll be in our thoughts. You'd think the doctor's word would take precedence over the nurse mgr's! I hope you can have your family with you.

Tuesday eh?

by pacergirl - 2008-09-13 08:09:47

Hello Bionic Beat... I am pulling for you.
Sounds like you have done your homework and that you know what to expect. Good Job! :D
A cardiac anesthetist certainly would be the Dr. I would want if and when I need another surgery. Of course neither you or I wish for or anyone here wishes for more surgeries, but you have helped many of us here with the valuable information you have taken time to find out about!
Thank you for sharing it with us.
I see that Tuesday is the day, if the family staying situation can be worked out. I certainly understand your concerns because of some of the experiences that I have had in hospitals.

Best of luck to you, I hope you don't mind if I keep you in my prayers.
Pacergirl

You will be in my thoughts.

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-09-13 09:09:59

I'm sure that you are feeling a " little " bit worried. Things may seem shaky right now, and sometimes it's hard to know how it will all go.
So, I want you to know that we are all here for you if you need us, and that I think things will be okay for you. This time, I think the cards are stacked in your favor.
You are strong, you are ready for this, you can do it. I believe in you. Things will be okay again.

~ Dominique ~

you becha

by iraiam - 2008-09-13 11:09:42

I'll be sending positive thoughts you way, for sure.

Ira

bionic

by jessie - 2008-09-14 11:09:20

i would insist on one family member staying. they can't really deny this once you are back from surgery. that person may only be able to come in once an hour for 5 but you will know they are there. i don't think they can deny you this. this is toronto right? no way. i too have had bad things happen to myself and another family member so i know things do happen. i also know that you have rights. so stand up take her or him with you and get this done. it will be okay. maureen aka jessie

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.