My Hospital Experience

Thanks Kim - It sounds like we had similar experiences! It's not like the nurses were sitting at the desk chatting - they were constantly running around like well oiled machines - they were on the move going all over the place - that's what makes me think they are understaffed. I think they really need a few more aids - I asked the nurse and she said she had 5 patients and then I asked the aid how many she had and she was working with like 20! I guess the next time I might experience a hospital will be in a couple of years if I have to get skin removed. It would be nice to be able to go to a small hospital - like Johnson Memorial if they do stuff like that there - it seems like the smaller hospitals don't have the same issues as city hospitals - but then again they don't have the equipment or specialists on hand either! Thanks for the welcome home! Best Regards, Tammy

Tammy, Glad to hear you are no worse for the wear and all is going well for you post-op. I had a not so stellar experience in the recovery room myself. I had a broken machine that was supposed to be administering my pain meds. They couldn't get a bed ready for me right away so I stayed in recovery for 6 hours with 0 pain meds. 0, nada, zilch. The pain was so excruciating, I would pass out for 2 hour clips until I was finally in my room. When I complained to the recovery nurses about my pain, all the answer I remember getting was, "Well you just had major surgery" or "is this the 1st time you had surgery?" If I wasn't so drugged from the anesthesia and in severe pain, I would have beat the crap out of them. Finally when I got back to my room, my husband hounded the nurses to check my machine and sure enough it hadn't been working the whole time. I now know exactly what it feels like to have your stomach cut in half and stapled. Fun is. It is a nice war story to tell now and I am thankful that that was the only complication I have had to date and I am 18 months out. Enjoy your journey on the losing side.. it is awesome!! terri p.s. I am still laughing about your "pot" comment. Those nurses must hear everything in that room.

Terri - I can't even imagine how much pain that must have been for you - that is so horrible! Thankfully your husband was there as your advocate. Nice "war" story - although I would put it in the category of a horror story! Jessica reminded me of my pot comment when I went to see her - she said the entire room just went quiet. I can't even imagine the things those people hear - I'm sure my comment was extremely mild! Best Regards, Tammy

hi tammy,,so glad you are home and ok,,you are so funny too..lol...melinda had very similar experiences as you while in hospital,,sorry it wasnt good for you,but at least you are home and on your way to a great new life,,i hope you are going to the picnic,it will be a blast if more people like you are there,,take good care.love ,,cyndee

Tammy, I was glad to hear that you ar home and on your way to recovering. Sorry your hospital experience wasn't better, I know how that can be by my own past experiences. Keep us posted how you are doing. All my best to you. I looking forward to meeting you all on the losing side soon. Sher L

Tammy! So glad you're doing well, with one great big hurdle to check off your list. I'll be looking forward to reading about all the pounds falling off. If all goes well, I'll be going in to St Fran also. I'll be sure to bring my cranky sister who is a nurse - she'll know how to get things rolling a little faster if necessary.