Surgery in 2 weeks!

[luvmy2grls]

First of all, I want to thank everyone for there friendship and advice!  It has all been wonderful...  

So, not sure if you remember this from my WI Chiari Center but, Dr Heffez and Dr Broderick wanted me to try Lyrica for 2 weeks, so I did and I'm sad to say it didn't work......  I am no longer taking topomax either (they took me off of that) and I still feel the same......  So, I scheduled surgery for Oct 17th and I'm gonna be his second surgery (I go in at 12:30)

Funny thing is, I'm not scared or nervous or anything like that...  I'm more anxious about getting stuff ready around the house and the LONG drive there..  I just want to feel better, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to the pain free days ahead!

Is there anything, that I should KNOW. DO, BRING, ect before surgery?  Anything that would make life easier and so on, please let me know!

[linnielou232]

I don't know why but for my 1 surgery I had to keep my incision clean and dry until my appt with the Dr. 2 weeks after surgery, so my husband changed the dressing every day.  My 3rd surgery they kept it open, I don't know why, but I just followed direction's from the Dr.
They are all so different.  

[sunnyset]

I don't have any advice as I, myself, have not had surgery (meeting with Dr Iskander in November), but I wish you the best in your recovery after the surgery!

[luvmy2grls]

Thank u sooo much for your reply and experience!    I didn't even think to bring clean pillow cases, I'm sure they will get pretty gross huh?!  So do u have to keep the incision covered for a long time?  I guess I just assumed that when I got out of the hospital I wouldn't have to keep it dressed??  

I plan on taking it easy and letting the peeps around me help out for a change!!  hehehe

Thank u again!

[linnielou232]

I wish you the best with your surgery.  The best thing I think I brought with me was like every one else said your favorite pillow.  I don't know what I would of done without it.  I also brought clean pillowcases so I could change them.  I also brought loose fitting clothes so you can be comfortable and something that slip's over your head easily.My doctor also told me that I couldn't use shampoo on my head for shampoo.  We had to buy the Johnson's baby shampoo.  I don't know if any one else had to do this, but we made sure we had that and all the pad's and dressing to change your incisision.  I also had a bath stool for bathing so you won't have to stand so long in the shower.  I don't know if this is helpful to you, but these are thing's that I found useful for myself. Also the most important thing is to remember you will not be doing anythng for at least the first 2 weeks and most importantly please don't lift Nothing, and do every thing the doctor tell's you do and not to do.  Other wise in the long run you will suffer for it.  Give your body and yourself time to heal.   I was blessed enough to be only a mile away from home so I can't imagine the ride  you have ahead of yourself.  You are in our prayer's and we are all here for you for love and support.  I also suggest you have some one with you

[selmaS]

  But, u have to keep on top of them with that and make sure u have the meds on hand ......

  I hope u also have someone to stay with u at home when ur DH goes back to  work....

If u get the meds from the hospital...it may cost u more...but it was not offered to me.....so do talk to ur Dr about that.

    "selma"

[luvmy2grls]

THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING!!  lol  

I was thinking to myself, they better give me the GOOD stuff for my ride home.  Hubby and I were just talking and we are gonna do the trip in ONE day unless I absolutely cannot take it...   He needs to get back to work ASAP for financial reasons..  So I figure if I am drugged up MOST if not ALL of the way home it should be OK..  Can't the hospital pharmacy just fill the drugs for me before I leave>>???

[selmaS]

  I am easy to confuse at times so no worries there...lol.....

Make sure u get pain meds as close to the time u leave the hospital...and that u have some to cover until u can get to a pharmacy.....sometimes the Dr can suggest a drug store close to the hospital so u have what u need for the trip and the meds do not wear off!!

    "selma"

[luvmy2grls]

Selma,
Oh I think I know how I confused you..  teeheehee  I said " from my last trip to WI chiari center"  That was just my visit from to confirm Chiari and to decide the plan of action...  So NO chiari surgeries for me yet,  I have however had other surgery NOT related to chiari though..  

zygy,
I have ONE pillow I particularly like and I will definitely bring others too!.  We are thinking that we will be making the trip home a 2 day one..  We will drive half way and stop and stay somewhere and then finish out the rest of the trip the following day.  BUT if I am zonked out and ok with the traveling we will just do it all in ONE day instead.  I guess it will all just depend on how I feel!

Thank you again for everyone's help and support!

[selmaS]

  Oh I misread...u said something about a second surgery I thought u meant urs....thanks to chiari I still get confused...lol....

  
   I agree with zygy...have pillow will travel....I must take my big fluffy pillow for long car rides...even now....so, do have a pillow u r comfortable with not only for the hospital but the ride home...and I had a loose fitting hat with a brim...it was a very soft hat...and it helped as I did not want to be outside with my incision, nor did I want people to stare...I was more comfy with the  hat...

   "selma"

[zygy2]

Good luck with taking meds, they made me take theirs for my thyroid meds.  I was only allowed my gummy bear vitamins :)  Chapstick is a must :)  Since you have such distance from home you will probably want much more... pack extra pillows for propping yourself on the ride home!  It helps to make you more comfy, I only had a 45 minute drive and still packed myself in with pillows.  

[luvmy2grls]

Thank you for your input!  I never would have thought to bring my chapstick!!!  I would be sad without it!  lol  Because I live a few states away from where my surgery is, I will have to stay at the hospital for 5 days and in WI for 9 days..  I didn't know if you were allowed to bring your own meds with you....  But I will definitely bring mine, that way they can't charge an arm and a leg for a pill!  hehehe

Thank you again for your experiences!

[zygy2]

Good Luck!  I packed a bunch of things the first time and the only things I used were my chapstick and my pillow :)  I was able to go home in 48 hours though so I did not really have much time to need anything.  My repair surgery I was home in 24 hours so that time I did not even take my pillow with me, just my favorite chapstick again!  My third surgery (repair  of the repair only three weeks later)  I went by ambulance but stayed for nine days and needed so much more!  My husband got to bring me things day by day... I found a notebook to make notes about what I wanted to ask the Dr. or what I needed my  husband to do worked well.  I liked having my cell phone to text and say hello to people if I was having a better day.  I brought my own vitamins because the one at the hospital made me very stomach sick (never did like regular multivitamins).  My kids picked me something to hold and think of them :)  That was really comforting at night when you are alone and can't sleep!  I really did not bring very much but the few things I had I was very happy to have with me!  I also agree that making food ahead of time or having frozen foods available when you get home was very helpful.  Anyone that asked what they could do to help I told food to help my husband eat normal :)   Just make sure after that you take it easy like you are supposed to!  

[luvmy2grls]

Thanks for the link to the list Selma!  I'm gonna check it out after I type this message!  

I haven't had surgery yet for Chiari, so I am just gonna have a regular one I guess...  Remove some skull, replace it with metal mess, bovine dura patch and thats it I think.............


Thank u again

[selmaS]

  Hi...I am glad u have a plan of treatment that u r content with and have a means to feel better.

May I ask, what is this surgery? Is it a redo of the decompression or a fix of brain slump..I am curious as to what the Drs consider the issue to be since u did already have 1 surgery.....

Here is a link to our link to tips for the hospital stay...from items like ear plugs...cuz the staff at night act like it is the middle of the day....I found it a very loud place and prefer quite when I sleep....so take a look at our list....

It also suggests u get one dish meals ready and frozen ahead of time to make the post op meal time easier....

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

So happy for u : )

   "selma"