Questions for Deanna...

[admin]

HI, it is so helpful to know another adult who has just recently had surg w/ Dr. Nath. I know that our surgs are not quite the same, but still I would love to ask a few questions.

How long was your surg? They are so unsure with me b/c they are not sure how things will pan out when they get in there to the tumor(they may or may not have to break my collarbone). How was the pain/ discomfort level when you woke from surg? What worked best to help that? Is Dr. Nath and staff pretty good about pain managemant and after surg care?

Was your surg at Methodist? How was the hospital and nurse staff, and the OR and staff? I am kinda curious how Dr. Nath does all the surgeries that seem to be on his schedule everyday, plus meet with patients and all. On the day of my surg, it looks like he has several child surgs at TCH scheduled, and I wonder how he can fit all those in, plus mine too(at another Hosp), esp when some of these surgs are fairly long and complex. Also, did you have your consult w/ him at that Fagin(spelled wrong)building office? I wondered why our consult/ office visit isn't in a hospital office, you would think he would have one there w/ all the surgs he does.

How long did you stay in the hospital? I am scheduled for surg midday on Wed 24th, and am considered outpatient on 23hr observation, getting out by noon the next day. Is that how they approached your surg too? B/c I have seen on Dr. Nath's website where it is usually 2 day stay. I know that if I am not ok, or ready, Dr. Nath will not let me leave the hospital, but I just wondered how soon you left the hospital and how comfotable you were. Did you come from out of town and have to stay at hotel? How long did you stay in Houstont b/f traveling? We are just concerned that about the slight possiblity of complications that would occur and not have anyone at home be competent to handle the situation. Yet we hate to stay away from home any longer than we have to. I also don't want to be too horribly miserable on the plane, but maybe that cannot be avoided.

How did you manage comfort etc at hotel and on airplane? How did you sleep? Do they put you in any kind of brace or bandages? Sleeping, and even sometimes sitting, has always been difficult w/ the BP b/c my shoulder has lost so much muscle that it is not in correct position and compression of tumor, that anything that touchs my shoulder, or arm, or shoulderblade, or even the dead weight of sleeping(gravity) putting weight on it is very painful. I assume this is going to be worse after the surgery b/c I will have to deal with the inscion and all.

And lastly, when did you start to feel better? Did you notice an immediate improvement after the surg or did it take a while? How long is post-op recovery? Were you able to get back to some normal activities fairly soon?

Sorry this is so long and nosy, but as you can tell, I am thirsty for any info or helpful tips from one who has recently been there!!! I feel positive and confident, but still am anxious and love hearing positive comments about Dr. Nath, etc. from an adult in this situation.

Thanks so much!!!

[Francine_Litz]

hi null -if you don't mind, I'd like to answer a couple of your questions... however the adults will have to answer the specifics about post surgery...

about pain - pain is a diagnosis all of its own now, if you feel you have a low tolerance for pain, tell Dr. Nath that you want "pain service" involved. You will have a "pain nurse" assigned to you and you will be visited by the "pain team"... they can give you a PCA morphine pump so that you can control your own pain relief and there are other alternative drugs available. But ask him about it before you go under and he'll set it up.

About how Dr. Nath does surgeries in different hospitals? Well methodist is connected to TCH...it's just a walkway away so it's an easy hop, skip and jump away. They are used to this, when TCH fills up they bring kids to other hospitals as well. Wait until you see the area... it's something like 15 or 20 hospitals all linked together in this one area - it's amazing actually.

Feigin is a hospital office.... the buildings are named. We used to go to Feigin for the bpi clinic before they built the new building. Dr. Nath's office is there.

Many adult surgeries are considered 23 hr. observation.... BUT if Dr. Nath feels that you are not ready - and you strongly feel that you are not ready, then they will keep you. I had major knee surgery and I went home 1 1/2 hours later! That's insurance for ya!

With Maia's surgeries, we always had 2 nights...but quite frankly Maia was always ready to bust out a few hours before that 2nd nightfall came.

I wish you good luck with your surgery - we will be keeping you in our thoughts,
francine

[Francine_Litz]

PS - I have some pictures on my website

http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/travel.html
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/tch.html
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/dayofsurg.html

[admin]

Thanks so much....all your info has been so helpful, plus your website is great too.

I just was curious from an adult point of view b/c so often our little ones have a different experience and perspective and also it is harder to get an exact communication from them about the whole thing (altho I am sure you got a very clear idea from Maia....lol)

I hope Deanna is ok, with her infection and all. Is that common? esp so long after the surg? I had an abdominal total hysterctomy almost 1 yr ago, and healed really well and fast, so I don't know how to compare to this surg.