I passed my stress test and received a date for surgery!!! May 21st is surgery!! I am so excited ;D and also a lot anxious!! I welcome all suggestions about what I need to bring and what to expect!!!!
Thanks!
Vickie
How exciting!! Good luck to you and your recipiant.
Congratulations! Although I am a long way from where you are, I am eager to hear what to bring too. Get all of your big projects done now, that 10ld lifting limit seems like it will be challanging to deal with.
Congratulations! Best wishes and prayers for the coming surgeries.
While the list of hospital hints at www.kidney.org/transplantation/livingdonors/infotips.cfm is very good I often add the reminder to bring extra-large clothing, underwear and shoes to wear going home, as post-op bloating may make your regular things much too tight.
best wishes,
Fr. Pat
I recommend a massage.
Lip balm and ear plugs. The hospital is dry and loud.
Lip balm is a must. Prunes. I liked having my own robe & slippers more for comfort during walks, but I don't know that it's necessary if you're tight on suitcase space. Good luck, be sure to let us know how it goes!
And I now have a new date! May 14th!
Thank you for all the advice and support. I am so excited and very nervous!
Vickie
Dear Vickie,
How exciting for you and your recipient!
When I donated, I wasn't given an pre-surgical sedation. In fact I walked into the operating room and lay down on the table. I guess that was so I could change my mind up to the last minute! I never felt nervous. Actually I found everything to be interesting and I'm glad I remember it all right up to the last moment...zzzzzzz...
I wonder how other surgeons and hospitals handle this?
Love, elephant
They gave me sedation and I was out. The last thing I remember was the operating doors opening and seeing some guy in scrubs and I was gone.
My recipient was sedated also and he remembers getting onto the operating room table. I'm kind of glad I don't. I think I would have been more nervous. Apparently I snoozed there for quite a while before they operated because my family was told 2 hours and didn't hear from the surgeon for 4.
I was super nervous and requested sedation asap.
They put me out before I left my personal waiting room:)
My husband told me that I woke up panicked after surgery & had to be sedated again.
Fortunately, I don't remember this.
Big & comfy clothes, robe & slippers.......the best items I packed!
Take along pillows to cushion the ride home from the hospital......
I felt every bump in the road & really appreciated the support:)
Good luck to you!!!!
Congratulations Vickie!
I remember also feeling very nervous and excited. I donated during a time when everyone seemed to be getting sick. I was so worried my Husband or I would catch what was going around and then the surgery would be postponed. (Thankfully, that did not happen.)
I would suggest bringing the following to the hospital:
Lip balm and your favorite hand lotion, (I find hospitals to be very dry)
a very comfortable pair of pants (I bought a pair of sweatpants that tie at the waste so I could keep them as baggy as I need to)
a loose fitting, comfortable tshirt and sweatshirt
a pair of comfotable slippers (something comfortable and safe for walking)
Phone numbers of anyone you may want to call while you are there.
Best of luck to you! :)
Linda
OMG, you just reminded me...my recipient caught a bad cold a week before surgery and we were worried it would have to be postponed. It went right down to the wire, but luckily he kicked it quickly and I didn't catch it from him.