My mom's going in for triple bypass surgery tomorrow...

[thewap]

Best wishes for your Mother Renzatic.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The good news regarding the ICU is that mom is no longer in there. They put her into a room yesterday around 4PM. I'd post a long, detailed update, but I'm so tired at the moment, I'm going to keep it short and sweet. I'm home for the moment, and I want to go to bed without having to worry about a nurse popping in every hour on the hour shouting HEEEYYY, HOW YOU DOING, DON'T MIND ME, I'M JUST HERE TO CHECK YOUR VITALS.

Her demeanor and energy have improved tremendously since Thursday, and is more like her normal self again. She still has the one tube in her chest, and is still on a portable oxygen box, but they're both expected to be removed sometime today. She's moving around quite a bit, even if it is only between the bed and the bathroom, without any assistance from a nurse of a walker. She even went so far as to pick up and carry the two boxes the tubes are run into before realizing "maybe I shouldn't do that". She's still in a bit of pain, and she does get nauseated occasionally, but it's nowhere near as severe as it was just the day before.

From my perspective, the recovery process is speeding along faster than I expected. She's expected to be out of the hospital Monday at the very latest, though Sunday is looking far more likely.

...but she is going to ask if she can be checked out today.

The family's one concern is that there is no therapy scheduled after the fact. Just a list of exercises, and weekly and/or biweekly visits to the hospital. This seems to fly in the face of everything I've read here, and heard elsewhere. I guess we'll find out why later.

Great news. And I'm sure you are tired, relieved and thrilled in equal measure. Now, rest, and get as much rest as you possibly can. Believe it or not, hospital is almost like a period of respite for you - the responsibility is not yours, and now is the time to bank some sleep, and rest, and tranquillity.

To your question: The 'why' is pretty straightforward. It is to get the patient out of the hospital as quickly as possible (and not hold up beds, or require resources that could be better spent elsewhere) which will also ensure that they - in essence - are obliged to take responsibility for their own recovery.

When I was a kid, I had my appendix out and spent a full week in hospital something that would never happen nowadays. Likewwise, when my mother had each of us, she was in hospital for at least a week, giving her time to recover, and bond, and learn what she needed to know.

Nowadays, on the other hand, they are kicked out the door almost as as soon as they have recovered from their surgery; my Mother was sent home a day after her last stent had been installed, and a very short time after her earlier stent operations. Her pacemaker operation alone necessitated a few - and air was a few, not a week - days in hospital.

The other thing to know is that they seem to be pumped up with optimism - they have escaped hospital, and are happy to be alive for now - and they also seem to have been almost invariably dosed with some medication which puts them in a terrific mood, almost bouncing gleefully out the hospital door. That gets them out, without hassle.

Then, when they are home, the inevitable crash and anti-climax set in. Prepare yourself for a rough few weeks - the emotional and psychological roller coaster can be quite intense, and they will press all of your buttons. It was like that for us, after each of my parents had their respective cardiac operations and had come home, apparently in terrific form and humour, only to crash subsequently as the real impact of what they had gone through sank in.

 

[chown33]

... It was like that for us, after each of my parents had their respective cardiac operations and had come home, apparently in terrific form and humour, only to crash subsequently as the real impact of what they had gnu through sank in.

So autocorrect is providing African wildlife these days? Who gnu?

In deciding what should be there instead, I suspect "gone" is the answer, though "gnawed" is more evocative.

 

[JamesMike]

Great news. And I'm sure you are tired, relieved and thrilled in equal measure. Now, rest, and get as much rest as you possibly can. Believe it or not, hospital is almost like a period of respite for you - the responsibility is not yours, and now is the time to bank some sleep, and rest, and tranquillity.

To your question: The 'why' is pretty straightforward. It is to get the patient out of the hospital as quickly as possible (and not hold up beds, or require resources that could be better spent elsewhere) which will also ensure that they - in essence - are obliged to take responsibility for their own recovery.

When I was a kid, I had my appendix out and spent a full week in hospital something that would never happen nowadays. Likewwise, when my mother had each of us, she was in hospital for at least a week, giving her time to recover, and bond, and learn what she needed to know.

Nowadays, on the other hand, they are kicked out the door almost as as soon as they have recovered from their surgery; my Mother was sent home a day after her last stent had been installed, and a very short time after her earlier stent operations. Her pacemaker operation alone necessitated a few - and air was a few, not a week - days in hospital.

The other thing to know is that they seem to be pumped up with optimism - they have escaped hospital, and are happy to be alive for now - and they also seem to have been almost invariably dosed with some medication which puts them in a terrific mood, almost bouncing gleefully out the hospital door. That gets them out, without hassle.

Then, when they are home, the inevitable crash and anti-climax set in. Prepare yourself for a rough few weeks - the emotional and psychological roller coaster can be quite intense, and they will press all of your buttons. It was like that for us, after each of my parents had their respective cardiac operations and had come home, apparently in terrific form and humour, only to crash subsequently as the real impact of what they had gnu through sank in.

Also another reason for getting patients out of the hospital as soon as possible is to reduce the chance of getting a nosocomial infection.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

So autocorrect is providing African wildlife these days? Who gnu?

In deciding what should be there instead, I suspect "gone" is the answer, though "gnawed" is more evocative.

Oooops. Mea culpa, hadn't spotted that, and was typing rapidly - and not -re-reading - before dinner.

Yes, under Xenforo autocorrect is……..tiresome, sometimes.

'Gone' it was, or rather, was meant to be….grrr…...(but, yes, admittedly, gnawed would have possibly been equally apposite on this occasion….)

 

[Renzatic]

Update time! I've just now gotten off my watch shift, which means I'm running on roughly an hour of sleep. Excuse my donkey birds.

Mom's still in the hospital. Not for any dire reasons, though. Her pulse and blood pressure are excellent, oxygen levels are at 93% at last check, and she's antsy as all get out, taking laps around the ward to tire herself out because she's too wired to sleep at night. The doctors seem to be pleased with her recovery thus far.

The only reason she's staying for at least another 24 hours is because she's still draining a little too much...chest juice? I believe the technical term is The Sluuuhhhhhh. It's at too high an output for the doctors to feel comfortable sending her home just yet.

Everything's going well, save for that, and it seems to be more an inconvenience than an issue to be greatly concerned over. Once The Sluuuhhhhh is down to acceptable levels, she's headed home.

...and then I don't have to go to that hospital anymore. Which means I get to sleep every other day again!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Update time! I've just now gotten off my watch shift, which means I'm running on roughly an hour of sleep. Excuse my donkey birds.

Mom's still in the hospital. Not for any dire reasons, though. Her pulse and blood pressure are excellent, oxygen levels are at 93% at last check, and she's antsy as all get out, taking laps around the ward to tire herself out because she's too wired to sleep at night. The doctors seem to be pleased with her recovery thus far.

The only reason she's staying for at least another 24 hours is because she's still draining a little too much...chest juice? I believe the technical term is The Sluuuhhhhhh. It's at too high an output for the doctors to feel comfortable sending her home just yet.

Everything's going well, save for that, and it seems to be more an inconvenience than an issue to be greatly concerned over. Once The Sluuuhhhhh is down to acceptable levels, she's headed home.

...and then I don't have to go to that hospital anymore. Which means I get to sleep every other day again!

No, @Renzatic. What it means is that you will be responsible for your Mom……

Anyway, delighted to hear that she is well and recovering nicely.

 

[Renzatic]

@Scepticalscribe

Nope. When she's home, she's dad's problem. I'll swing by for well wishes and fridge raids.

Funny story from last night. It's 3 AM, and I'm just about to fall asleep on those Brutalist couches they have in the rooms when I hear...

"Hey. Hey."

"...yes?"

"I'm feeling a little hungry. Could you go grab me a bite to eat?"

"From where?"

"Well, I don't want you to have to go out to get me anything. The cafeteria's closed, isn't it?"

"Yup. But they have vending machines with microwavable dinners down on the first floor. I could grab you something there."

"What do they have?"

"What do you want? Spaghetti?"

"...no."

"Hamburgers?"

"Ew. No. I'm not in the mood for hamburgers."

"Cheese and crackers?"

"No."

"They have some Chinese food. Beef and Broccoli?"

"Oh, no. It's too late for that."

"...so what do you want?"

"Eh, I don't know. I'm not really that hungry."

"THEN WHY DID YOU WAKE ME UP?"

This is the actually greatly truncated version, because I went downstairs to take pictures of the machines to text her to see what she'd want. It still ended up the same way, though.

I can understand where she's coming from. I get my general restlessness from her, and I could imagine doing about the same thing if I were bedridden for the last 9 days. I'd be wanting to move, and move some more. But GAAAWWWDDDD...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@Scepticalscribe

Nope. When she's home, she's dad's problem. I'll swing by for well wishes and fridge raids.

Funny story from last night. It's 3 AM, and I'm just about to fall asleep on those Brutalist couches they have in the rooms when I hear...

"Hey. Hey."

"...yes?"

"I'm feeling a little hungry. Could you go grab me a bite to eat?"

"From where?"

"Well, I don't want you to have to go out to get me anything. The cafeteria's closed, isn't it?"

"Yup. But they have vending machines with microwavable dinners down on the first floor. I could grab you something there."

"What do they have?"

"What do you want? Spaghetti?"

"...no."

"Hamburgers?"

"Ew. No. I'm not in the mood for hamburgers."

"Cheese and crackers?"

"No."

"They have some Chinese food. Beef and Broccoli?"

"Oh, no. It's too late for that."

"...so what do you want?"

"Eh, I don't know. I'm not really that hungry."

"THEN WHY DID YOU WAKE ME UP?"

This is the actually greatly truncated version, because I went downstairs to take pictures of the machines to text her to see what she'd want. It still ended up the same way, though.

I can understand where she's coming from. I get my general restlessness from her, and I could imagine doing about the same thing if I were bedridden for the last 9 days. I'd be wanting to move, and move some more. But GAAAWWWDDDD...

Ah, so once she is parked at home, your responsibility is relinquished. Fair enough.

Those conversations are tedious, time-consuming and somewhat……….trying. Yes. You have my sympathies. I get where you are coming from.

 

[decafjava]

So glad things went well, my Dad went through the same thing 5 years ago next month. He is doing well now - though other health issues also complicate matters.

 

[Renzatic]

Just got back from the hospital. Everything looks great, and they expect mom to be discharged around 8:30 or so. The only thing left is to remove the tubes, do a quick checkup, and she's free to go.

And I? I am going to bed.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just got back from the hospital. Everything looks great, and they expect mom to be discharged around 8:30 or so. The only thing left is to remove the tubes, do a quick checkup, and she's free to go.

And I? I am going to bed.

Sleep well. Indeed, bank some sleep if that is possible - you may need to draw upon that account later on……

Good news about your mum; very glad that everything worked out well.

 

[Foggydog]

This is wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving RENZATIC. I had a triple Pulmonary Embolism the first week of September and the ER doc we surprised I survived long enough to arrive there. Dr. GOLDBERG has chimed in several times in your thread as well as in mine. His words seem very sound. Here's hoping your mother has a speedy recovery.

 

[rdowns]

Somehow missed this thread. Glad you mom's on the mend @Renzatic

 

[Renzatic]

Sleep well. Indeed, bank some sleep if that is possible - you may need to draw upon that account later on……

I don't think things are going to be all that bad, actually. Despite the fact that she was the one that got her chest cracked open exactly a week ago, I was the one too weak and wore out to hit the Thanksgiving circuit this year. Dad said when she got home around noon, took a shower, got ready, and was primed to head out by 1. They're now out eating with dad's family.

Me? I was waking up around 12:30, and I feel like I've been beaten with a boat oar. There's a lot of truth to that whole circadian rhythm thing, apparently. Spending two weeks going to bed at midnight, waking up at 5AM, flipping around and going to bed at 6AM so I can wake up at noon the next, then reversing the order over two weeks have taken a toll on me. I bet it's going to be at least 3 days before I start feeling vaguely like myself again.

Yes, I am the one who should be pitied.

Good news about your mum; very glad that everything worked out well.

Thanks. Things have gone surprisingly well. There isn't going to be much work on our end, since she's all but autonomous now. Someone in the family has to be on call in case she wants to pick something heavy up, and for the first month, we have to spot check her if she decides she wants to walk around the block a few times (doctor recommended). Other than being a little weak, she's about the same as she was before she went into the hospital. Considering how extreme a procedure open heart surgery is, that's kind of shocking in a way.

Things are good. And now, I'm thinking about going back to bed.

 

[997440]

@Renzatic; thumbs up for you and your family. Happy Thanksgiving.

...Things are good. And now, I'm thinking about going back to bed.