|
WHAT UP DOC? : SURVIVING HOSPITAL STAYS AND SURGERY TIPS
Anxious about surgery or just being in the hospital? Well, of course...who wouldn't be?
Bone up on these insider secrets:
- Ask Every Question, Express Every Feeling
- If You're Worried About Post-Op Pain
- About The Food Issue
- Packing For The Hospital
- Stay Connected With The Outside World
- Know Your Nurses
- Stand Up For Yourself
- Expect Noise, Light, And Intrusions
- Pssst, Here's One More Secret
Ask Every Question, Express Every Feeling
- Talk to your doctor about what will happen before, during, and after surgery.
Then talk again...and then maybe again. Ask all your questions, express all your
fears. Don't let up until you know what to expect at every stage of the surgery
and hospital experience.
- This is a good time to update your journal, or start one, so you can scribble down
every question, fear, thought, and feeling.
If You're Worried About Post-Op Pain
- Find out what kind of pain medication will be available to you in the hospital.
Depending on your doctor, you'll most likely get to have a PCA (Patient
Controlled Anesthesia) pump that lets you send pain medication through your IV
whenever you want it. And if you want it, USE IT! Don't "save up" for when the
pain becomes unbearable or worry about overdoing it.
- Always be honest about how much pain you've got. Nobody expects you to just
suck it up and deal, or gives out medals for how well you can handle the hurt.
Tell your doctor or nurses how bad the pain is, where it is, and when it happens.
- Understand that the pain we feel post-surgery is very different than the day-in,
day-out "ow" of IBD. That pain has been ongoing and constant. The best thing
about post-op pain is that it is TEMPORARY. It should go away...and if it doesn't,
talk to your doc about that immediately.
About The Food Issue
- Expect to not be able to eat right after your surgery. In fact, your doctor might
keep you on Nothing By Mouth. This means exactly what it sounds like: you
can't drink or eat anything and will get fluids (sugar water) through an IV for the
time being.
- You'll probably be allowed to start drinking liquids as soon as you pass gas or
feel hungry. But even then, don't be in a hurry to start eating again. Your body
needs time to recover from a major event. You may feel like you'd give anything
for even a cracker, but tell yourself there's plenty of time for that. Think about
how a few more days or weeks without food is still nothing compared to the rest
of your life.
Packing For The Hospital
Bring stuff to make yourself at home, as in:
- A pillow that smells like your room
- Pictures of family, friends, and pets to stick on your bed rails (so they'll always
be with you, especially those who won't be able to visit)
- Your own hairbrush and toothbrush
- Your own shampoo, so your hair at least feels and smells familiar
- Lotion, because your feet and hands might get really dry (thanks to those
itchy hospital sheets)
- A sleep eye mask, because there are always lights on somewhere
Earplugs, because even at night a hospital can be noisy
- Lip balm, because hospital air can be really dry
- Slippers and lots of socks (especially comfy, fuzzy ones)
- Your fave sweats and PJ's
- Your own toilet paper (seriously...you'll thank us later)
- Your own towels (especially if you like big, soft ones that are bigger than
postage stamps)
Bring stuff to keep yourself busy and distracted. Keep in mind that with an IV, it might be
hard to move your hands. But you might want to have:
- Books and magazines
- Puzzle books
- Homework
- A journal and spare notebooks
- Stationery to write letters
- A disposable camera
- A Gameboy or something like it
- A portable music player
- Simple, un-messy crafts projects
Chances are you'll have a TV in your room, but don't expect to get 150 cable channels.
If you feel like you'll go crazy without a DVD player or laptop, ask a parent to bring it
with him or her when visiting, then take it home again, to reduce the risk of it getting
stolen.
It's important to bring stuff that will make you feel comfortable, but think twice before
packing anything that's really valuable (like jewelry or pricey sneakers) or irreplaceable
(like that precious stuffed animal you've had since you were two).
Stay Connected With The Outside World
- Tell your friends and extended family that you're going into the hospital and
encourage them to visit if they can. It'll make a big difference to see someone
other than your parents, sibs, doctors, and nurses.
- Make sure people know when visiting hours start and end and any other hospital
rules that might apply.
- You might not be able to call out on hospital phones, so find out ahead of time
how you can reach people. Bring your cell phone, if that's allowed, or a phone
card.
- Make it easy for people to reach you. Tell them your room number, when it's a
good time to call, and other details that will help everyone keep in touch.
Know Your Nurses
- If you're more comfortable with a female nurse than a male nurse, or vice versa,
let the charge nurse know. Your nurse will be helping you go to the bathroom and
other private things, so you'll want to be okay with that.
- You shouldn't feel like you're bothering a nurse when you call her into the room.
If you need anything, even if you think it's stupid, don't hesitate to press that
button. You might have something serious going on and if you don't buzz for
help, that could be a risk to your recovery. If a nurse doesn't respond to your call
button, send someone to the nurse's station. If all else fails, YELL OUT.
- Understand that nurses are busy and take care of other patients besides you. But
if a nurse acts annoyed by your requests, or even just seems unfriendly, tell your
doctor or a more senior nurse about it.
- Know the names of all your nurses on both the day shift and night shift. If you
forget somebody's name, don't be shy about asking him or her to tell you again,
or even spell it if it's hard to pronounce.
- If you feel up to it, be friendly and open. Smile and make chitchat. Although a
nurse is a professional whose job it is to help you, the relationship works better if
you're both upbeat. When it's time to leave the hospital, you might even say
"thanks" with a homemade card or cookies brought in from home.
Stand Up For Yourself
- Yeah, we know. In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to do this. But keep in mind
that hospital staff often have their hands full and are, of course, only human.
Everyone makes mistakes and you might have to be the one to catch them. Don't
forget that you're part of the whole process and not just the person who "has stuff
done to them." This is your fight for your health. Get right in there!
- Don't rely completely on nurses to give you your medication. Ask your doctor to
tell you exactly what you're supposed to take and how much of it, so if someone
accidentally gives you the wrong medication or dose, you can catch it. Write
down the information and update it when necessary, so you know you've got it
straight.
- If possible, have a parent or someone you trust in the room when medication is
given to you. Especially if you're on pain medication, you might be a little out of it.
It helps to have someone there to watch your back.
- Keep a hospital "journal." It's likely that a lot of different doctors and residents
(those are doctors in training) will come through your door. Keep track of who
you've seen and what you talked about. Although it rarely happens, doctors can
get their signals crossed (for instance, if one says you can start eating and
another thinks you're still on Nothing By Mouth).
- If someone comes into your room and starts talking to you, asking questions,
taking vitals, or anything else without telling you his or her name, don't let that
slide. Say something polite but firm, such as, "I'm sorry. I don't know your name
yet."
Expect Noise, Light, And Intrusions
- Hospitals are noisy. You'll hear people talking, carts clanging, and machines
beeping 24/7. (Be prepared for your IV pump in particular to drive you crazy.)
- While it's important to get as much rest as you can, sleep can be hard to come
by. In addition to the various noises and light, don't be surprised if you're
awakened to have your vital signs (that's your temperature, pulse, and blood
pressure) taken, medication given, etc.
- "Privacy" and "hospital" do not go together. People will be coming into your room
at any time, and they won't always knock. Accept that, yeah, strangers will
probably see you changing or going to the bathroom. Just keep in mind that
they're professionals and have pretty much seen it all.
- If you're sharing a room with another patient:
- Start things off with good communication. Introduce yourself and make an
agreement that when either of you needs or wants privacy, you'll draw the
curtain.
- Try to keep noise down on your side, especially when you have visitors.
As you probably know, people who don't feel well generally like it quiet.
- Be friendly but set boundaries. Recognize that not everyone feels like
making friends during their hospital stay, and they may be going through
some difficult emotions. It can be hard, but try not to take anything
personally.
- You'll notice that doctors and nurses ask you the same questions over and over
again. That's because they want to hear answers directly from you and not rely
on one another, and your condition can change quickly. Even if it's annoying,
answer these questions as honestly as you can.
Pssst, Here's One More Secret
- Be nice to housekeeping staff -- the people who come in to change your sheets,
mop the floor, and deliver food. They might be the ones who get something or do
something for you when you really need it. (And if they do, don't forget to show
your thanks when it's time to leave the hospital.)
|
