Things you wish you would have done a week before surgery.

[jenniferk86]

I am just wondering is there anything you wish you would have done, said, thought about, brought with you to the hospital, forgot, done again because it helped, brought again because it helped, not done because it was a bad idea, ect. you get the idea/drift the week of/day before/night before your decompression surgery?  Please list and share.  I have surgery in less than 13 days and I have 2 beautiful kids one is 3 and the other is 1 and I am trying to do as much with them as possible... and I want to make this a good experience... so wondering what made your experience a good, bad or what could have made it better... etc...

Thanks all. :)

[cash242]

When I had my surgery we sent the kids to school they are older 6 and 8 but still they were so stressed as soon as my surgery was over my husband called their teachers and told them everything was ok.  The teachers were awesome and all of the kids made me get well cards to support my son who was worried the most so he had a good support group maybe the daycare could have all of the kids work on a big card for you and that would give him something to do to help.  

[selmaS]

  Take him to a movie and make it a line from the movie...like Mr Poppers Penquins is out right now...it is a cute movie...mayb that would suffice and afterward talk about his favorite part,,, and that could be ur  secret code......

My DD and I love old movies and ours was " the calla lilies are in bloom again"....and I said it like Catherine Hepburn....lol....

  

[jenniferk86]

Yeah... Its just every day that Leave him at day care he says mommy, are you going to die today? I say no honey I am going to work.  and he says, when are you going to the doctor and I say not until 12 more days and I promise you are going to go with me when I go... and I will not die, they are going to fix me, just like they help you feel better when you go to the doctor.  and he is only 3 and I have tried to explain it and he says he understands and then he seems comforted.. and then he tells his dad or someone else that mommy is going to die.... so I will try as you say, and I think it is a good idea, I just don't know why he can't get the dying idea out of his head.... maybe because he saw me have that seizure and I wouldn't wake up? I am not sure... but it scares him every time I leave that I won't come back.... poor guy... I wonder what a good secret code would be....

[selmaS]

To help avert his fears u may try to have the secret code  for when u come out...not only do they fear u will not come out of it, but they fear u will be different....so it is good to let them know u r still "mom"......

DO something special Like joyus did and have something special btwn the 2 of u that only he will know...so when he gets that message he will know u r ok......

I told my DH to tell my DD my message while I was still in recovery....it was the last thing on my mind going in the OR that I told the anesthesiologist and he thought it funny...and the first thing I thought of when I awoke.

It may just help keep him occupied enuff....and u may want to ask him to work on a project for u  while u r in the OR...so he has it for u when u come out....again, to keep his mind on something else.

  Just a thought

[jenniferk86]

Yes, that's amazing.  My son thinks I am going to die. I keep telling him that I will not die and I will be better.I promised he could come to the hospital to watch me go into surgery and then come back when I will be coming out of surgery to see I am ok...I have tried to explain many times i will be ok, but he keeps saying and worrying that I will die, any ideas?

[selmaS]

  That is beautiful...what a great thing to do : )

  My DD lives in NYC and was not able to spend time with me b4 hand, so sending her a special message I knew only she would understand , would put her at ease. I feel even younger children would benefit from something like this : )

[joyus12b]

The day before my surgery we woke up at 4:30, made some coffee, got the kids ready, and went to the beach to watch the sunrise. At times, I had to hold on to my husband and sister to help me walk.  It was an amazing day. At one point I heard the sound of bagpipes, so we walked in the direction of the sound but there one there but us and a few other people. Sure enough, farther down the beach a man was playing bagpipes to the sunrise.  There were dolphins feeding close to shore.  The day was perfect.  My children loved it.  They would rather now go to bed early and see a sunrise than just go to the beach.  That day allowed us to take a moment, enjoy life, take a deep breath and prepare ourselves...but ultimately make a lasting memory for our family.

[selmaS]

  Hi...we have started a Health Page for the reason u posted ur thread...so many wondered what others may have forgotten to take along or wished they would have had.....

As far as what we would have done or said....that is not covered and I am not sure there is nething I could add to that...except for those with kids...give them a code so they know u r ok....if u read my journal u will see I told my DH to tell my DD who is no longer a child, but still my baby a certain phrase so she would know I was ok....set it up in advance...just someone telling a child that mom is ok is not enuff, but to know she passed along this odd statement no one understands gives them the understanding u r going to be alright.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/Tips-for-the-Hospital-Stay/show/1136?cid=186