United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am going into the hosptial today for surgery to remove a section of my large intestine. This surgery requires a lengthy hospital stay from 8-10 days so I won't be around to answer emails or phone calls. I will miss you all.

One of my concerns today is with positioning on the surgical table. The usual is to place both arms above the head. Obviously that won't work well with someone with a bpi whose arm does not go above 90-100 degrees. It could cause serious damage to my bpi arm and the anesthesiologist has been instructed to place my arms (both of them -- I sure don't need a stretch injury in my unaffected arm) tucked into my sides.

I'll also be having all IV's and blood draws from my unaffected arm. This is always difficult when you need that arm to do everything and it is encumbered in this way. But it is necessary.

I thought about just slipping away for a while but then realized that it was probably a good idea to inform the community about care of the bpi arm during such procedures in case you are unaware. And I very much consider this community to be my extended family and we share our concerns with each other.

So ... my surgery is at 2 p.m. Eastern time today. It is a lengthy one -- about three hours and your thoughts and prayers will be much appreciated.

My best wishes for a Happy New Year to you all. May this New Year bring a renewal of strength and health to all of us.

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

Nancy
My thoughts and prayers are with you today and through the coming weeks as you regain your strength and health.

I am glad you posted about position on operating table.
It is a question many have never thought much about until we are faced with surgery.
Thanks for thinking about the rest of the bpi community and sharing this very important information.

I will miss you but remember we are all here for you.
Please, just take care of yourself, don't worry about the rest of us or your UBPN work load.

UBPN Board of Directors are here to help and we will all be available to support the community.

Kath

Good luck and best wishes Nancy.
Don't worry everything will be all right, by the grace of allmighty god!!
Thanks,
Shafali.

Nancy,

You know we are here for you always,
go with knowing that our thoughts are
with you today and always.

As Kath said, UBPN board will be here
working together to answer any questions
and helping out where we are needed to
our extended families.

Hugs, Karen

Good luck, Nancy! I realize that I am a little late here. But my thoughts, prayers, and best wishes will be with you throughout your hospital stay! I hereby lend you my guardian angel for the next 8-10 days!

Nancy,

Just read your post and realize that you've already gone through the surgery and most likely will not read this anytime soon (as you should be recovering and not playing on the computer, ha, ha). Still, I wanted to say best wishes, and I am sending good thoughts for a quick and healing recovery period for you.

Tanya in NY