Ok - now I am more than a little nervous ......

[Denisex2boys]

Barring any emergencies I am confirmed for the 16th .... and I received this email .... OH MY look at the duration of the surgery?  :O  Is this typical .... it seems sooooo' long ........

We will confirm everything closer to the time.  Your surgery will start at 0800 therefore you will need to be at the Pre Admission Clinic for 0600.  Nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before.   The surgery is expected to run until 1800.   You can expect to be in hospital for approximately 4-6 days.  Dr. Lownie has confirmed it will be a suboccipital approach

[lori67]

Denise,

Yep, that sounds about right.  My translab took 9 hours, so I wouldn't imagine a sub occipital approach would be any different.  Don't worry - it's normal - and you'll be asleep so you won't even know about it!  That's a good thing!

You're going to do great!  This will all be behind you before you know it!

Lori

[ppearl214]

Hey Denise,

I don't know if my huggles will help... or any words of encouragement will help.... but, what may help is knowing that me (and all of us here) are here for you.... and we're cheering you on... and are right beside you to help hold you up.  You can do it... and gain strength from us all..... and if that doesn't work... I'll send over Queenie Beanie "toots" as they are back at work, healing the gang around here!

We're here for ya!
xo
Phyl

[Denisex2boys]

Thank you .......

I was just reading some of the posts about the 'traveling scarf' and I just had to chuckle .... I go to Curves for Women and their Fall clothing line came in - - one thing is a comfy, cozy, snuggly, LEOPARD print robe ..... my mother-in-law ordered it for me for my hospital stay .... and I see that the 'travellng scarf' is a funky leopard print as well - - it must be KARMA - and I will take it that my robe is a good luck sign

[Kaybo]

Denise~
My surgery was14 hours so I know they can run long, but that way they can be thourogh!  I know you will do great...so glad you finally got a date!

K

[cindyj]

Hey Denise!

Yes, the length does sound scary, but all of these AN removals seem to take rather a long time.  But, as Lori said, you'll be asleep and it will seem as though no time went by. 

We'll be cheering you on next week!

Cindy

[Jim Scott]

Denise:

Not to worry.  As many others have correctly stated, the hospital e-mail instructions sound perfectly normal, including the 'no food or drink after midnight' and 6 A.M. arrival time.  My surgery was retro and lasted just under 9 hours.  I was in hospital for 5½ days. 

Although 10 hours is a long time to be in surgery, AN removal is a very slow, delicate operation and cannot be rushed in any way - and who would want them to?  The good news is that you won't be conscious during the time the surgery takes, whether its 5 hours or 10.

Remember that many people have gotten through this and, as Steve likes to say, the first few days post-op 'don't count'.   

Jim

[MAlegant]

Hey Denise,
They told me to be prepared for that length of time but it ended up taking far less time. I think they just want you to be prepared. Also, they do a lot of stuff after you are out but before they begin the procedure in terms of getting you hooked up to things etc, so I wonder if that accounts for some of the time.  Don't worry, it will be what it will be and you will be fine.  I took a robe to the hospital as well and of all the things I took that ended up being useless, the robe was essential as I was determined to walk the halls in order to get home.  All best, Marci

[wendysig]

Hi Denise,
I have to say I know it sounds like a long time and I have to agree with Marcii.  Set up pre-op takes about an hour according to my doc and this is after all brain surgery.  Very delicate, meticulous surgery, not something you'd want anyone to rush through.  My surgery itself took 7 1/2 hours and I had translab, add another hour for setup and then I understand it was two hours after that that my husband, sister and sister-in-law were allowed to see me for about ten minutes.  That was it for the day for visitors and I slept on and off for the rest of the  night.  I remember getting up to ICU, and  being woken up a couple of times, but nothing more than that until the next day.

Wendy

[sgerrard]

Hi Denise,

Nice to see you back, hope you had a good summer. Now you have a surgery date - and I note that it is on the calendar. Since you have waited this long, what's 10 hours in surgery?  Jim is right, I do like to say that the first 3 days after surgery don't count. It will an unusual week for you, no doubt, but you will make it through fine, and we will be with you every step of the way.

Steve

[calimama]

Hi Densie...

Sorry i meant to reply sooner...
I know your surgery is just around the corner, i think that's great so you can get the treatment out of the way and move on with your life. Don't worry, it's really not soo bad. I hope your surgery is quick and easy, and you get a private room, and get released fast as it's much better to be home (although those first few days in the hospital were a much needed break from being mommy). Happy thanksgiving to you and your family. Enjoy the great long weekend weather!

Trish in Toronto

[pwatts]

 I had suboccipital craniatomy in aug of 2000, if I have any advice for you it would be as soon as you can get out of bed and walk. I guess we have a choice , lay around and complain about it , or get our butt out of bed and move on . Im a high school teacher and baseball coach , sure its hard sometimes , but i have to constantly push myself... itll be ok and you can move on   

[pwatts]

 mine took 11 hrs

[Kate B]

Hi Denise,

I had to be at the hospital early, but as others have noted there is prep time and waiting time.

All the best,

Kate

[mrgarlic]

Greetings Denise, After a guy has had as many surgeries as I have, you look for the fun side when never you can. So here is my trick. I have been self employed for many years making BBQ sauce. The bottles make great bribes and gifts. I tuck a few bottles under my blanket. When I arrive in "the room" I hand them out. Makes for a great laugh. I also ask for a favor. Ask if they will let you savor the anathesia for a bit befor you go night night. It's a great high, and it's leagal. Bring in some jam or?? Maybe Im'e crazy but I have fun,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Larry