OHSU Pre-Op Appointment

Well, it was a fairly full day today at OHSU.  I had to be there at 8:00 for bloodwork (fasting).  Trying to drive up the freeway at 6:00 a.m. with no coffee was really hard.  I had the music on loud and the airconditioning kind of cool so I wouldn't fall asleep.  Everyone was really nice.  I enjoyed meeting Dr. O'Rourke and seeing Susan Fee and Shannon the Dietician again.  The one thing I'm not happy about is that I have to go back to the sleep specialist and get my CPAP machine back and use it for at least the two weeks before surgery.  I had a lot of difficulty using the machine and even more trouble with spending hours waiting for the doctor in the office.  I'm willing to try the CPAP machine again, but dealing with sitting in the waiting room for an hour, followed by another hour of waiting in the actual exam room is a little wearing on me. I did sign up for three studies.  I will do Labs 1 and 2 and the Psychological study.  Although there is a small compensation for Labs 2 and the Psych study, I think the more important thing is helping others who come after us with insurance approval, and perhaps eventually finding a cure for obesity.  Oh, the other thing I mess up on, but which will be okay, is that I didn't have anyone to take with me today.  I have to have a phone appointment with Dr. O'Rourke, a family member, and me all together.  I guess this is because they think I will forget what they told me in the office today. I did go to the class they offered, even though I was late because of signing up for all the studies.  I felt that it was a waste of time, but other patients seemed to really like it.  For me, it was a repeat of all the stuff they told us at the information seminar and things we read in Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, etc. Linda

well girl you are on your way!!!!!!!!! you just have to take it one appt at a time I know its exhausting but its soooo worth it in the end. :) Kelly

Hi Linda!  Hurray, one step closer!   I hated having to use my cpap before surgery but I put up with it and then after surgery I didn't use it much anymore.  I finally gave up on it when I would wake up in the morning and the mask was flung across the room!  Ha, ha!   All those classes and appointments where they drill all the details into you are a little redundant.  But it's well worth it!  Soon you will be post-op and looking back on it all with a big ole smile on your face! Deanna

Hey Linda, I think you sat next to me at the meeting.  You came late, and I was with my husband.  We were the two people who left early.  It was an action packed day for us too at OHSU.  Started at 9AM and ended at 3:30.  After all those appointments, we attempted to find the hospital with our GPS, but it didn't work because of all the road construction, so we got lost.  Eventually found it, and decided to make our 5 hour trek back home.  I'll be looking for hotels in the area for my family to stay since we live so far away.  I was very glad my husband came along.  He's a pharmacist so it was very helpful for him to speak with Dr. Wolfe about my meds, etc. after the surgery, and he's ordering all of my vitamins, etc.  All in all, I think we are all very lucky with the OHSU facilities and the Digestive Health Center.  And, we're almost there to begin our new lives. Donna M.  

Hi Donna!  Yes, I remember you.  What a long drive that is from Cave Junction.  My niece and I are going to be staying at the Mark Spencer in downtown Portland.  She'll stay there by herself when I go into the hospital.  They give a good discount for OHSU patients -- you just have to tell them when you make the reservation.  There is a bus line that goes from very near there straight up to the hospital, so I'm not worried about driving there.  I've heard that trying to find the hospital in all those little rabbit trails up there on the hill can be a nightmare! How lucky you are to have a pharmacist as a husband.  I am going to order the injectable B-12 and learn to give myself the shots.  I don't think it will be so bad and I'd rather do that once a month than have another pill to remember every day. Linda

Hi Donna, The Riverplace Marriott is one streetcar stop away from the OHSU Center for Health and Healing on the waterfront (take tram up to hospital), and they offer an OHSU patient discount. The last I heard it was $119/night for patients. They have free hot breakfast and suites with kitchens. Another option is the Inn at Marquam Hill, a bed and breakfast right up the hill a few blocks from OHSU, which is very reasonable and includes a fabulous made-to-order breakfast. The owners are wonderful and will shuttle people to and from the hospital for free. The Inn's number is 503-223-6617. Best of luck, Lisa

The rate I got at the Mark Spencer is about $70/night.  You can take the bus from near the hotel up to the hospital. Linda

Linda, Thanks for the info.  That is a great rate too.  I booked the Comfort Inn Suites so my husband can have a little "suite" with his semi little kitchen.  He'll need a refrigerator and a microwave.  The Mark Spencer sounds elegant, kind of like The Benson.  I think we'll go there AFTER I have the surgery and stay a while, as we visit Portland and go site seeing.  Donna

Donna, Randy's family stayed at the Comfort Inn Suites while we were in the hospital (I stayed there the night before surgery).  It was nice and they give a special discount rate to OHSU patients.  Also, you just leave their parking lot, take a right & drive 5 miles on Barbur to Terwilliger and then left on Terwilliger which will take you directly up to the hospital.  They have direction sheets on their front desk with driving directions. Shirley

Shirley, Thanks for the info (thank you everyone for the info!).  I just booked three nights at the Comfort Inn Suites.  I'll stay the first night with my husband and he's on his own after that.  It is so confusing driving around downtown Portland, and we're  not used to  the "big city life" being from  a very, very small community.   It seems like an ideal location, easy to get to and get out of.    And,  can't beat the price.  That was fantastic - $65 hospital rate, plus tax!  Donna