As a hospital employee when you or a family member has to stay overnight you can request the "suite". It's much like a hotel suite. There is the patient's room with bed/bath/television, etc. and then an adjoining room for a guest with separate bed/bath/television. You also have the benefit of room service for both the patient and guest.
At 5:00 p.m. the day of my surgery the nurse came by and told me to go ahead and order my dinner. He handed me a menu and said I was on a soft diet to make sure I could tolerate it and then if so by morning I would be on a regular diet. No problem. I looked over the menu decided on chicken salad and mac and cheese. I called room service and here is how the conversation went:
"I'd like to order chicken salad and macaroni and cheese please."
"Sorry that is not on your menu."
"I've got the menu in my hand and it is on there."
"No, you have bariatric soft diet and that is not on there."
"Oh, okay, may I get a bariatric soft menu then?"
"No, we don't have any."
"Then how can I order?"
"I can tell you there is grilled chicken on the menu."
"Really? Grilled chicken is on a SOFT DIET menu but chicken salad is not?"
"Yes."
"OK, please send me grilled chicken and mac and cheese."
"Mac and cheese is not on the menu."
I'm so frustrated at this point. "OK, just send me whatever is on the menu."
My sister arrived at 6:00 p.m. and my dinner still had not. I gave her the guest menu and she settled on Salisbury steak, green beans and mashed potatoes. I was having dinner envy for sure.
I called back to room service, asked where my dinner was and was assured it was on it's way. They had a new girl. Sara ordered her dinner and we waited.
Sara's meal arrived about 6:20 p.m. and mine was still a no show. I called room service again.
"I'm still waiting on my meal."
"They said they brought it to you already."
"No, it never arrived."
They said they would be right up. A few minutes later the dietary manager came in my room and apologized. Great, but did you bring any food? Nope, she just wanted to apologize and take my order. At this point my nurse was so angry he changed my menu to regular, no more bariatric, no more soft. He told me to go crazy and order whatever I wanted. I really wanted chicken salad and mac and cheese. (Side note: my hospital has outstanding chicken salad). OK, the dietary manager said she get my order straight away.
About 6:45 she arrived back with my dinner tray finally. Again another apology for the delay, apparently my grilled chicken was delivered to the room next door. Hope that patient enjoyed it! More apologies as they were now out of mac and cheese...well of course because it's been an hour and 45 minutes since I ordered it. As a substitute I was given asparagus. How does asparagus substitute for mac and cheese? I mean, potato salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad maybe, but asparagus. I like asparagus, but I only like it when it still has some crunch. When it's so soggy it looks like trees from the swamp land I'm not interested.
Oh well, the chicken salad was delicious.
Friday, November 1, 2013
More Surgery
As excited as I was to have a gastric bypass, my decision and approval to get a laprascopic hysterectomy with the robot was even more thrilling. I tried to do this in my late thirties and the doctor kept saying I was too young. I knew I didn't want more children, anyone who has met my boys can understand why.
Anyway, I arrived at the hospital on October 11th at 7:30 a.m., got wheeled to the surgery room at 9:30 a.m. and was in my private room for the night by 12:30 p.m. Everything was removed and the pathology report came back that all cysts and tumors were benign - no cancer of any kind - Hallelujah!
By 2:00 p.m. I had eaten my broth and jello and even managed to get dressed in spite of the catheter. I was walking the halls and feeling great. The only painful thing was my IV, they placed it on my hand at the base of my thumb, isn't that a weird place? I didn't even ask for pain meds until 9:30 p.m. and then it was because I wanted to sleep. I'm a stomach sleeper but that wasn't going to happen for a few days and I just could not get comfortable sleeping on my back.
My sister Sara came to stay with me for the night and we had the suite at the hospital, one of the perks of being an employee. Dinner for us was quite an event, I'll post that shortly.
Anyway, I arrived at the hospital on October 11th at 7:30 a.m., got wheeled to the surgery room at 9:30 a.m. and was in my private room for the night by 12:30 p.m. Everything was removed and the pathology report came back that all cysts and tumors were benign - no cancer of any kind - Hallelujah!
By 2:00 p.m. I had eaten my broth and jello and even managed to get dressed in spite of the catheter. I was walking the halls and feeling great. The only painful thing was my IV, they placed it on my hand at the base of my thumb, isn't that a weird place? I didn't even ask for pain meds until 9:30 p.m. and then it was because I wanted to sleep. I'm a stomach sleeper but that wasn't going to happen for a few days and I just could not get comfortable sleeping on my back.
My sister Sara came to stay with me for the night and we had the suite at the hospital, one of the perks of being an employee. Dinner for us was quite an event, I'll post that shortly.
Where Has the Time Gone?
My goodness time does fly. I think about writing on this blog every few days and then never get around to it. I have so much to catch up on so here goes.
In August, after my iron infusion, I had a follow-up appointment with the hematologist. My numbers were better but still below average (yes, it kills me to say I was below average). I was strongly encouraged to seek a hysterectomy.
So I asked around the hospital and did some research. Dr. Stephen Salmieri came highly recommended and he performs the hysterectomy laprascopically using the robot, which cuts the healing time in half. I made my appointment with him to consult about surgery.
In September I arrived at Dr. Salmieri's office and was a bit nervous as his group practice is for Gynecology Oncology. I was escorted in for the usual vital checks, height and weight. Funny, I don't hate getting on the scale anymore at the doctor's office. Then I met with his nurse. While meeting with her Dr. S came in and shook my hand as he introduced himself and then told me what beautiful eyes I had. Oh he was smooth...he was about to be all up in my girl parts and he was making sure I was going to be comfortable. It worked, I was.
He did the pap and then asked if I would agree to a uterine biopsy. I hadn't come prepared for that but sure why not, if it helps get the thing out then let's go for it. I should have asked more questions because that freaking hurt! Imagine someone sticking scissors inside and then randomly cutting a piece of an organ off. Yeah, stupid me, but I got to go home for the rest of the day.
After my exam we met in his office and discussed my options. He agreed with the heavy bleeding, iron deficiency anemia and my complete lack of desire to produce anymore offspring that I would be a great candidate for surgery with the robot. It was scheduled for October 11th.
In August, after my iron infusion, I had a follow-up appointment with the hematologist. My numbers were better but still below average (yes, it kills me to say I was below average). I was strongly encouraged to seek a hysterectomy.
So I asked around the hospital and did some research. Dr. Stephen Salmieri came highly recommended and he performs the hysterectomy laprascopically using the robot, which cuts the healing time in half. I made my appointment with him to consult about surgery.
In September I arrived at Dr. Salmieri's office and was a bit nervous as his group practice is for Gynecology Oncology. I was escorted in for the usual vital checks, height and weight. Funny, I don't hate getting on the scale anymore at the doctor's office. Then I met with his nurse. While meeting with her Dr. S came in and shook my hand as he introduced himself and then told me what beautiful eyes I had. Oh he was smooth...he was about to be all up in my girl parts and he was making sure I was going to be comfortable. It worked, I was.
He did the pap and then asked if I would agree to a uterine biopsy. I hadn't come prepared for that but sure why not, if it helps get the thing out then let's go for it. I should have asked more questions because that freaking hurt! Imagine someone sticking scissors inside and then randomly cutting a piece of an organ off. Yeah, stupid me, but I got to go home for the rest of the day.
After my exam we met in his office and discussed my options. He agreed with the heavy bleeding, iron deficiency anemia and my complete lack of desire to produce anymore offspring that I would be a great candidate for surgery with the robot. It was scheduled for October 11th.
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