I left the apartment shortly after 8 am this morning and drove to Oneida to get all the paperwork and blood drawn for the pre-op testing. First I had to fill out paperwork and write down all my medical problems. I had already had this printed out for them so they copied it, along with all my blood test results from my primary doctor in Sept. One girl took care of all that. Then I went into another room to have blood drawn. Then into another office where this woman explained everything that will be done that morning before the operation. I will be getting an Epidural! I didn't know that. Yikes! have to have a needle put in my back where they will administer pain meds for a few days. Also an IV in my arm. I refuse to have them in my hand. They will administer any other meds and IV fluids with this. A catheter will be put in before the operation also. So I don't pee all over the place..Ha! Ha! They told me this all would take an hour and a half and that's exactly what it took. I left there at 11:00 am. I had two hours to kill before the appointment up the street at my surgeon's office with his Stoma nurse. I found the Walmart store and went in there to pick up a few items. Then I went to my appointment. The nurse marked the spot where she thought it would be best for the Stoma and bag to be. It's on the left side and below my belt line. She injected ink into that spot so the doctor will know where to cut and pull the intestine through. Then she explained the stoma and types of bags and how they work. But after surgery is when they will be working with me more to pick the best bags for me and show me how to use and change them.
The Epidural Analgesia could be left on me for a few days, according to the pain. Usually from 2 to 5 days. Just hope I don't get wicked headaches from it. Some people do.
So now I have one more appointment to get an EKG at my Primary doctor's in Herkimer on Monday.
Then the day before surgery I have to start my preps. Only clear liquids allowed that day. At 2 pm I take 4 Ducolax with 8 oz. of water. At 6 pm I start drinking the Miralax mixed with Gatorade. They suggest Gatorade but I asked them if I could get Pedialite instead because I can't stand the taste of Gatorade. She said that would be fine as long as it has the electrolytes in it. It will cost me more but I don't care. All this stuff costs me money. Medicare doesn't pay for that. So beginning at 6 pm I drink that whole 64 ounces every 15-20 minutes until all the solution is gone. And hopefully I will be cleaned out.
Also I have to take the antibiotics. Neomycin 500 mg. at 3, 4 and 11 pm. And the Flagyl 500 mg. at the same time. Hope all those antibiotics don't cause me any problems. I hate taking that stuff but I have to. I'd rather deal with a few problems than catch an infection in my intestines that could be far worse.
I got home at 2:50 pm and was so glad to finally eat something! I hadn't eaten anything since noon the day before just so I wouldn't have to go to the bathroom all day. It works. I felt pretty good, although weak today.
I will quit any vitamins or herbal supplements 7 days before the surgery. I have already quit all sugar. I want to heal as fast as I can.
Another thing. They changed my admitting time on the 22nd from 9:30 to 8:30. I was afraid my brother wouldn't be able to get here in time but he says he will be here that morning at 7:15. He must be going to leave work a little earlier. Thank heavens for Rick!! I don't want any strangers taking me up there. Then he can go home from there and go to sleep. He only lives 7 miles from the hospital. He doesn't have to stay there with me. They will be getting me all prepped anyway. I gave them Rick's number in case something happens though or he has to say do not resusitate. I'm putting him on my Health Care Proxy now because my daughter won't be available that day and my sister, Jane will be in Myrtle Beach. Jeanne will be working also. I don't want anyone visiting me all that week either. I'll be in too much pain. I don't like people gawking at me when I'm in pain or thinking they have to be there. I don't want any flowers either. I just want to heal and get back home. Then if my family wants to visit they can. If I'm up to it. I will be having nurses and aids for a while after I get home. To make sure everything is healing okay.
I hate being in a semi-private room also. I'd rather be alone. I can have a private room they say, if I want to pay $55 a day. I can't afford that. Maybe I could for two or three days. Just to have my privacy. I'll wait and see. Maybe no one will be in the room. You never know.
So that was my day today. I am so tired and will be going to bed real early tonight. I never sleep very well as it is. I might ask my doctor for a sleeping pill the night before the operation so I get rest. In the booklet they gave me they say they will do that if needed.
Take care everyone.
12 days till surgery.
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