Johanna,

This thread has been really interesting to read a TOSer's entire thought process re surgery method and surgeon. I do hope that everyone accepts it with good grace, and that we don't have any backlash on the board, and God willing, so far it has been wonderful. Good thoughts to all.

As far as your actual surgery, I am not on this board very often, so I will say my prayers for you NOW, that you will have a good healing, and a great outcome. A REALLY great outcome would be a blessing to us all, to share with TOSers who haven't already had surgery.

As a side note, as I recall, and I can't exactly, wasn't I in the hospital like 9 days? My reports state I had a huge fibromyalgia flare. I left ama, because fiance bought ticket(s) and was leaving, and I couldn't manage to get in a cab every day for PT, I knew. I needed help to get to my bed at home. There was also an issue that I believe they had me post-op at less than 1/2 of my oxycontin by mistake because the work comp adjuster did not approve that med via her fax - it was not mentioned at all. (Neither denied or approved, and no one told me, and no one called or noticed the absence of decision.) I did not see, nor was I told that Annest lowered my oxy - in fact, I repeatedly said I did not think I was getting my proper orals per day, and was argued with by two nurses.

Lesson learned: you really need someone present and on hand who cares enough to help you when you have this surgery and don't count on the one or two day our - although I know many people who only had a two day stay and no complications, just be safe.

So, like said, God bless you and keep you safe during this chapter in your life.

Thanks again for going through all of this for us to share.

Where would we be without the forum
And all of those who share???

Johanna, I also appreciate what you've done here...I know it will be helpful to so many!

Hope today's going well for you! I hope the outcome of all your research is spelled RELIEF!

Johanna,

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share the information you shared with us.........That was interesting to read and very helpful !!!

Ann

Tam:

I think the #2 lesson learned:

Don't hesitate to accept help from fellow tos'er who really want to help you! You could have had a private duty nurse take care of you.I still have an active Calif RN license, I'll never let that go!When people want to help, it gives them joy that they can help anyway they can.
Tos'ers who have gone before you in the journey of the rib resection and scalenectomy know the trials that you will face. Those of us who have had the surgery know how very vulnerable you are after a rib resection.

A couple of IV's, a chest tube, pca pump (for pain) When you wake up from surgery you are at the mercy of those around you. If the nursing staff is busy and you are alone- you remain alone until they can get to you.

What Tam has said is so true...When I had my rib resection I know my family and friends thought I was nuts to have my nurse friend with me and not my husband.

My husband does not tolerate stress well and although he tries if I really wanted someone to help me I needed my nurse friend for pre-op things and surgery. My nurse friend is from Thailand and she is scared to drive on the freeway or in strange places.I had to drive in Denver; she was nervous (frankly she scares me driving so I was ok with driving before surgery.

She would not have wanted to drive in the snow to physical therapy, massage and Feldenkrais like my husband did. My husband came the day after I was discharged for all of the trips to p.t. and staying in a hotel .He was comfortable also with driving in the snow. .

He was stressed just being with me in the hotel room with me.I can only imagine how difficult it would have been on him to be there immediately after surgery and time spent recovering in the hospital
. I drove him nuts because everywhere I went I had this big backpack of my medications. I was really nervous that I would lose my meds and really be in a jam.
Once I came to the decision about who would be with me and when I was at peace. My husband couldn't take 3 weeks off work and I couldn't ask my friend to stay longer than a week.

When you decide to travel to Denver for your surgery you really find out who your true friends and family members are. My siblings and parents didn't offer to help at all. A year later I asked my sister if she would have gone with me to Denver for surgery she said, " Oh, I would never go to Denver with you!" I asked her why and she said she "felt it my husbands job to be there." I told her he couldn't take that much time off of work and we didn't want to leave our kids with friends the whole time. She just said "it was my husband's job."

Many times friends are more loyal than family. Some people are fortunate to have supportive families but it is not that way for me (except for my husband & kids)

An important lesson I have learned since I got tos.
It is:
Learn to go where the comfort is. Dr Laura says on the radio,"you can't expect a porcupine to be a teddy bear."(or something like that)My sister would not be a good choice.Even if she did go to Denver to help me she is not a nurturing person. If I expected a compassionate helper in her I would be in for a rude awakening.