SeaCat
Hey, my Halo is smoking
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2003
- Posts
- 15,378
OKay,
I deal with a lot of abdominal surgery patients.
We'll start at the top.
When you finally wake up you will be thirsty. Your throat will be dry and your mouth will have the consistancy of the bottom of a bird-cage. They may give you ice chips or they may not. This depends on the hospital protocols. Don't argue with it, they know what they are doing. (If they don't give you ice chips ask for a Glycerin Swab. It helps by making your mouth produce saliva.)
You will be loopy from the anaesthetic. Don't expect to remember anything from your first day.
You will most likely have either Morphine or another heavy hitter for pain in a triggered pump. Don't be afraid to hit that damned button. Too many of my patients try to tough it out and end up paying for it. You are not going to O.D. or become addicted to the painkiller.
When they come in to get you up, insist on rolling onto your side and sitting up sideways. It hurts much less than sitting up normaly. The first time is always the hardest. (Don't get me wrong it will hurt, but not as much as you expect. Try to keep your belly relaxed. Tensing it just makes it worse.)
When they get you up don't be a hero. Sit on the edge of the bed for at least a minute. When you stand, stand at the side of the bed for at least a minute. This way if you get dizzy you can just be sat down again. Keep your head up and your eyes open. (Looking down or closing your eyes can give you Vertigo, the same feeling many people get when they drink too much then lay on a bed. Often called the Flat Spins.)
When they tell you to walk, walk. There are reasons we make people get up and walk. It helps you heal faster and better with fewer side effects. Don't argue just do it. (If you feel up to walking before the come in for you ask them to walk you.) (I always insist on walking with my patients fo at least the first couple of times even if they have family with them. This way I can judge how steady they are.) When they tell you to walk on your own do so as much as possible.
An abdominal splint does help. If they don't make one for you grab a pillow.
Now about your catheter. They are uncomfortable. The make you feel like you have to urinate all the time. (This is becuase of it rubbing inside the urethra.) They feel like they are going to fall out. (They won't. They have a balloon the size of a marble on the end that holds it in. If you pull it out they will know about it in the next county.) When it comes out it stings a bit, but this goes away. Have you R.N. or Aide teach you about caring for and keeping the Catheter clean. (Catheter Care.) This is important. Also inform them when you clean it so they can document it. Do not empty the Catheter Bag, let them do it. They have to document how much you are putting out. (If the bag gets more than half full let them know.)
Now some other hints about your Hospital Stay. Be honest. If you think your R.N. or Aide is innept then ask for another, but be honest about it. Do not expect one on one care, it isn't going to happen. Depending on the hospital you are in the R.N. may have as many as ten other patients. Also depending on the hospital you are in the Aide can have up to 15 or 20 patients. (Where I work I normaly have 13 patients.)
Now let me give you a hint about your Aide. (They will be called a Certified Nurses Aide, a Certified Nursing Assistant, a Patient Care Technician, etc.) Because of politics and others matters they are usualy near the bottom of the food chain in the hospital when it comes to things like pay or respect. They are also the Yeoman of the hospital. They are the ones who are right there when you need help. They will bathe you and comfort you. They will walk you and make sure you are fed. They are often the first person you see in the morning and the last one you see at night. If you hit the call bell they are usually the first to show up. They do not expect to be given a tip. Give them a kind word, a thank you. When you leave the hospital take the time to write to the hospital and thank them. Send a letter to the Hospital C.E.O. thanking your R.N.'s and Aides. (By name if you can remember them.) This means all the world to us Aides. (I can't tell you the number of letters that show up thanking the R.N.'s by name yet completey ignoring the Aides.)
Cat
I deal with a lot of abdominal surgery patients.
We'll start at the top.
When you finally wake up you will be thirsty. Your throat will be dry and your mouth will have the consistancy of the bottom of a bird-cage. They may give you ice chips or they may not. This depends on the hospital protocols. Don't argue with it, they know what they are doing. (If they don't give you ice chips ask for a Glycerin Swab. It helps by making your mouth produce saliva.)
You will be loopy from the anaesthetic. Don't expect to remember anything from your first day.
You will most likely have either Morphine or another heavy hitter for pain in a triggered pump. Don't be afraid to hit that damned button. Too many of my patients try to tough it out and end up paying for it. You are not going to O.D. or become addicted to the painkiller.
When they come in to get you up, insist on rolling onto your side and sitting up sideways. It hurts much less than sitting up normaly. The first time is always the hardest. (Don't get me wrong it will hurt, but not as much as you expect. Try to keep your belly relaxed. Tensing it just makes it worse.)
When they get you up don't be a hero. Sit on the edge of the bed for at least a minute. When you stand, stand at the side of the bed for at least a minute. This way if you get dizzy you can just be sat down again. Keep your head up and your eyes open. (Looking down or closing your eyes can give you Vertigo, the same feeling many people get when they drink too much then lay on a bed. Often called the Flat Spins.)
When they tell you to walk, walk. There are reasons we make people get up and walk. It helps you heal faster and better with fewer side effects. Don't argue just do it. (If you feel up to walking before the come in for you ask them to walk you.) (I always insist on walking with my patients fo at least the first couple of times even if they have family with them. This way I can judge how steady they are.) When they tell you to walk on your own do so as much as possible.
An abdominal splint does help. If they don't make one for you grab a pillow.
Now about your catheter. They are uncomfortable. The make you feel like you have to urinate all the time. (This is becuase of it rubbing inside the urethra.) They feel like they are going to fall out. (They won't. They have a balloon the size of a marble on the end that holds it in. If you pull it out they will know about it in the next county.) When it comes out it stings a bit, but this goes away. Have you R.N. or Aide teach you about caring for and keeping the Catheter clean. (Catheter Care.) This is important. Also inform them when you clean it so they can document it. Do not empty the Catheter Bag, let them do it. They have to document how much you are putting out. (If the bag gets more than half full let them know.)
Now some other hints about your Hospital Stay. Be honest. If you think your R.N. or Aide is innept then ask for another, but be honest about it. Do not expect one on one care, it isn't going to happen. Depending on the hospital you are in the R.N. may have as many as ten other patients. Also depending on the hospital you are in the Aide can have up to 15 or 20 patients. (Where I work I normaly have 13 patients.)
Now let me give you a hint about your Aide. (They will be called a Certified Nurses Aide, a Certified Nursing Assistant, a Patient Care Technician, etc.) Because of politics and others matters they are usualy near the bottom of the food chain in the hospital when it comes to things like pay or respect. They are also the Yeoman of the hospital. They are the ones who are right there when you need help. They will bathe you and comfort you. They will walk you and make sure you are fed. They are often the first person you see in the morning and the last one you see at night. If you hit the call bell they are usually the first to show up. They do not expect to be given a tip. Give them a kind word, a thank you. When you leave the hospital take the time to write to the hospital and thank them. Send a letter to the Hospital C.E.O. thanking your R.N.'s and Aides. (By name if you can remember them.) This means all the world to us Aides. (I can't tell you the number of letters that show up thanking the R.N.'s by name yet completey ignoring the Aides.)
Cat
from the good little witch.
