OUTFITS

                                                    18 MORE DAYS UNTIL SURGERY!!!!!!!!!!!!  I SPENT YESTERDAY MAKING JUMPERS TO WEAR NOW AND AFTER SURGERY  I MAKE SURE TO PUT TIES ON THEM SO I CAN DECREASE THEM AS I DECREASE.  THEY ARE ALSO EASY TO TAKE IN WHEN NEEDED.  I FIGURE THIS WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON CLOTHING.   I ALSO GOT TWO NIGHTGOWNS, ONE I'M SAVING FOR THE HOSPITAL.  WENT TO WALMART TODAY AND BOUGHT MORE FABRIC TO FINISH UP.  I WANT TO HAVE IT ALL DONE BY THE TIME I GO IN FOR MY LIFE CHANGING SURGERY.

Teri, What a neat idea. It will definitly save you money for buying new clothes. This way you only have to buy like a few things to wear when you go out somewhere. The jumpers will be perfect for around the house rather then being in pajamams all the time. I wish I knew how to sow. You could probally take in some of your clothes that you are wearing now. This will keep you busy until your surgery date. I will let you know every last detail when I get home. Sheila

SHEILA, I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR HOW YOU ARE DOING.  YOU MUST BE SO EXCITED.  ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING YET?  DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG DR. CARUANA KEEPS US IN THE HOSPITAL?  I HAVE TO COME TO SISTERS ON THURSDAY FOR ALL MY PRE-OPS.  I WILL KEEP CHECKING TO SEE IF YOU ARE HOME BY THEN, IF NOT I WILL STOP UP AND SEE YOU AT THE HOSPITAL.  I AM HOPING HE ONLY KEEPS US 2 DAYS.  I ONLY WANT TO STAY AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE............LOL

Tessie;      The average hospital stay for Dr. C is 3 days.   My daughter had her surgery on Thursday and same home Sunday morning.  I had my surgery on a Wednesday and not sure why but he sent me home on Friday afternoon (around 3pm).    I thought my daughter did better then I with the walking and stuff so not sure why I got to go home sooner?????  No complaints from me though......lol.        Don't worry about taking a nightgown to the hospital.  You have to wear what they give you.  You will have an IV in until you are ready to come home.   Besides you don't want to get any body fluieds on your personal clothing.   I was never even able to wer my bathrobe I took.  No way to put it on with the IV in.   Sippers are a must though.     The hospital gowns that they use are very generous and cover everything.   I also found it easier to be in bed with it untied in the back.  Didn't get all bunched up that way.   Every time I got up to walk or use the bathroom my daughter would just tie me up.        Overall the hospital stay was very pleasent.  Staff was nice, although very busy and overnights too short staffed.   I had my daughter with me 24/7.   It was so much easier that way.  I figured there were really sick people there who needed the nurses attention much more then I did.         Good luck to you.  You will do fine.    Sally

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RESPONDING.  I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INFORMATION.  MY DAUGHTER WAS PLANNING ON BEING UP THERE 24/7 ALSO.  HOW NICE TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT US.  WELL I HOPE THAT I GET TO GO HOME IN 2 DAYS.  THAT SEEMS TO MAKE ME THE MOST ANXIOUS AT THIS TIME.  THANKS AGAIN FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT.

Please be careful and don't rush your recovery just to get out of the hospital.    It is important that you use your PCA pump and get the necessary medication in the beginning.   You have to be drinking and eating adequately also.   The hospital wasn't as bad as people make it out to be....lol.  The hospital beds are much more accomodating for sleeping then our home beds are (found that out the hard way...........  They also have that other little machine that is hooked up directly to your incicions.  It has a numbing medication that keeps the incision from hurting.   That will be removed the same time as the drain.   I just don't want you being disappointed if you don't get to go home in two days.  I was told that it is not very common, that most of Dr. C's patients stay for the three days.   It is also a consideration how long of a drive you have.   They did tell us that.   Good luck to you. Sally

THANK YOU.  I HOPE I CAN STAY AS LONG AS I NEED TO.  I APPRECIATE THE ENCOURAGEMENT.

That is a perfect idea hun!  You are so close and doing great! Keep us updated!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH.  NOW ONLY 17 DAYS.