I had an appointment at the hospital this morning, to do bloodwork and go over with my coordinator everything to expect while I'm in the hospital, and met with my surgeon.
Thursday morning I'll check in at 5:30am (unless they call me tomorrow and tell me otherwise), and I should be in the OR by 7:15. It will take them about an hour to get me ready, so the actual surgery probably won't start until 8:00. The surgery should last 4-5 hours. They are taking my left kidney, so I'll be propped on my right side. I should have four small incisions on my side and belly, which is where they insert the laparoscopic tools. When they are told by Teddy's team that he is ready, they will finish freeing my kidney and remove it through my abdomen; I will have a horizontal incision about 3 inches wide low on my pelvis. Inside that incision, they will 'clear' my abdominal muscles and make a 4-5 inch vertical incision. The surgeon will reach his hand into my abdomen and pull out the kidney.
Then they'll flush the kidney and send it next door for Teddy! The doc told me he'd take a picture if he was reminded.
I'm planning on asking for anti-nausea medication to go along with my narcotics, as I don't think I've ever taken a narcotic without getting sick to my stomach. I'll have a medication pump at first, and will move to oral pain meds when I'm ready. I'm really hoping to switch to non-narcotics quickly, but will take them if needed.
I'll be encouraged to sit up and walk a bit as soon as I'm feeling ready. My catheter will come out Friday morning (although if I am walking around by Thursday evening I may ask for that to come out sooner). I will hopefully be moving from liquids to food in the first 24 hours.
They have told me most people go home Sunday, but sometimes Saturday. I asked what I need to be doing in order to be discharged, and they said just to have my pain under control and be able to keep liquids down, so I am crossing my fingers for a Saturday discharge. I'll be much more comfortable at home I think.
I talked to my surgeon more in depth about recovery. He said that he is strict on no lifting, pulling, or pushing more than 8 pounds in the first six weeks; ideally it'd be three months. Also, no abdominal work. But, anything else I can do when it feels okay. Walking, jogging, biking, any aerobic exercise that doesn't include lifting weight or directed ab work is fine. No baths or pools until after my follow-up on the 21st.
Tomorrow I'll have a good breakfast before 7, then the clear liquid diet starts.
Thursday morning I'll check in at 5:30am (unless they call me tomorrow and tell me otherwise), and I should be in the OR by 7:15. It will take them about an hour to get me ready, so the actual surgery probably won't start until 8:00. The surgery should last 4-5 hours. They are taking my left kidney, so I'll be propped on my right side. I should have four small incisions on my side and belly, which is where they insert the laparoscopic tools. When they are told by Teddy's team that he is ready, they will finish freeing my kidney and remove it through my abdomen; I will have a horizontal incision about 3 inches wide low on my pelvis. Inside that incision, they will 'clear' my abdominal muscles and make a 4-5 inch vertical incision. The surgeon will reach his hand into my abdomen and pull out the kidney.
Then they'll flush the kidney and send it next door for Teddy! The doc told me he'd take a picture if he was reminded.
I'm planning on asking for anti-nausea medication to go along with my narcotics, as I don't think I've ever taken a narcotic without getting sick to my stomach. I'll have a medication pump at first, and will move to oral pain meds when I'm ready. I'm really hoping to switch to non-narcotics quickly, but will take them if needed.
I'll be encouraged to sit up and walk a bit as soon as I'm feeling ready. My catheter will come out Friday morning (although if I am walking around by Thursday evening I may ask for that to come out sooner). I will hopefully be moving from liquids to food in the first 24 hours.
They have told me most people go home Sunday, but sometimes Saturday. I asked what I need to be doing in order to be discharged, and they said just to have my pain under control and be able to keep liquids down, so I am crossing my fingers for a Saturday discharge. I'll be much more comfortable at home I think.
I talked to my surgeon more in depth about recovery. He said that he is strict on no lifting, pulling, or pushing more than 8 pounds in the first six weeks; ideally it'd be three months. Also, no abdominal work. But, anything else I can do when it feels okay. Walking, jogging, biking, any aerobic exercise that doesn't include lifting weight or directed ab work is fine. No baths or pools until after my follow-up on the 21st.
Tomorrow I'll have a good breakfast before 7, then the clear liquid diet starts.
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