Pre-Op Appointment

I got worked up enough about the pre-op appointment that I actually took one of my prescribed valium pills. It doesn't seem to have a whole lot of effect on me, but I definitely wasn't freaking out once we were there. So I guess it did its job. ;)

First we had to meet with a nurse and answer a bunch of questions. Then she sent us down to the lab. She had me sit in a comfy chair to wait... and I fell asleep!! Needless to say, I was much more relaxed than I had been back at home. ;) She started by doing an EKG. I had had one done once before long ago, so that test wasn't new - or scary. Then it was time for the blood test. I asked if I could just remain lying down on the bed, and Steve was able to go around to the other side to hold my hand. I always make it very clear that they should not tell me what's happening and never mention the B word. This helps immensely! So as I lay there, I told Steve to think of something to talk about.... he chose dessert!! Good choice!!!! ;) So we named all types of chocolate as the nurse got ready and did her job. It went by pretty quick and easy!! Hooray!! :) And this nurse actually abided by my wishes of not saying anything. (They often still think they're supposed to say something...fortunately, this one really "got it." ;) )

Then back to the nurse's office to talk some more....and then anesthesiologist came in. As they talked to me and realized my overall condition (other than just having a kidney removed), they both seemed surprised. This never makes me feel better. sigh. As Steve has always said, I've always enjoyed doing unique things... however, this is probably not one of the ways in life that I really wanted to be unique. ;)

The anesthesiologist was very nice, but apparently it will be one of his colleagues who will be on duty on Friday instead. We were told that all 3 are wonderful though.

I am to arrive at the hospital at noon on Friday. First, I will have radiation at 10am though. Then my surgery is scheduled for 2pm. There's always the possibility of a delay -- or even of them calling to move it up, if someone else's surgery is canceled. The surgery will last for 3 hours. Before surgery, 2 people are allowed to go in with me. So we still need to make decisions about which of my parents will come, who will stay with the kids that day, if there will be a rotation, etc. (My dad is flying back here on Thursday to be here for the surgery.) So surgery will be approximately from 2-5pm on Friday. Then they said I'd be in the recovery room from about 5-6:30pm. No one is allowed to visit me in the recovery room. I was quite disappointed in that. My only surgery experience is that of Kevin....twice. And of course, both times, we were able to be in the recovery room. But she said that only parents of children are allowed in there. Not spouses. :( My experience with Kevin also includes him totally flipping out when he woke up both times. But I was assured that this is common with children, and hopefully will not be the case with me!! Still, I really wish that Steve could be by my side when I awake.

After the recovery room, it is possible that they would send me to intensive care. But apparently, it's unlikely. But possible. If they do, Steve could go visit me there. But most likely, they will then send me to my room. I will have a private room, and Steve can definitely go there. I'm uncertain if my parents would be allowed into my room outside of the regular hospital visiting hours or not. But hopefully it will still be within hospital visiting hours once I arrive in my room anyway. The greatest news was.... Steve is allowed to spend the night in my room!!!!! :) :) So he plans to do that!!!! HOOORAY!!! Of course, he does need to spend some time at home with the kids over the few days that I'm in the hospital. But he plans to be with me at night -- and often during the day too! However, if I'm in intensive care the first night, he cannot stay.

I was told some pretty scary things about where things will be attached to me... such as an IV in my hand, an IV by my neck, and an epidural. And those things will be staying around for a couple days. ARRRGGHHH!!!!!! Ok, end of topic. Let's not discuss this one further... Just please pray for my peace and safety on this one. Not to mention other tubes going into other parts of my body, some of which may be removed by the time I'm awake. Please, God!!!! I was also told that I'll likely be set up to control my own pain meds dosage with a button. But then after the epidural discussion, maybe that will no longer be true? Or maybe I will have both? I think it was undetermined as of the time I left. And then my wise husband pointed out that I do need pain meds for things other than just the surgery area, such as my shoulder! Yay for Steve!! So I'm not sure what the verdict was there, but it sounds like they're going to take care of me.

Oddly enough, I felt more calm when I left this appointment than when I arrived. But they did look over my scans and said something about a couple possible small regions of cancer elsewhere that I hadn't been officially told about yet....but there's no point in worrying about those for now. We just need to keep chugging on. sigh. Oh, and apparently the one I had been told about this morning for the first time is actually on my hip. Then we ended the day by stopping by the urologist's office for some instructions on things I'm supposed to do the night before surgery. sigh.