Surgery during covid19 First topic

[Nululu]

I have a mass in my pancreas. My surgery was postponed a month ago because the ORs were closed for covid.
I'll have surgery next week if my covid19 test (scheduled soon) is negative and I have no symptoms.

My husband won't be able to visit me in the hospital. We've been married almost 40 years. Because of his age and as a cancer survivor, it's too risky for him. The mass has grown, though it's still small. They did find pancreatic cancer markers from my biopsy. So they consider my surgery urgent. I'll be hospitalized anywhere from 5-10 days. I won't know how extensive it'll be until they go inside and look.

I'll miss my hubby, cat, and cell phone. Although the room has a phone. It might sound weird but I was thinking about bringing a stuffed animal for my normal "cat space" along with books.

Suggestions for what else I might bring?

[Walleye]

1. Best of luck. I recently went through the same thing

On my lung. Thankfully it was benign, but I didn’t know what to expect when I woke up, most nerve wracking. I’ll keep a good thought for you. 😿I also hate to be away from my kitty

[Nululu]

3. Thanks for words of encouragement

Despite the cancer markers I'm hoping it is benign or hasn't spread. Survivability is low for pancreatic cancer but improves with surgery. My surgeon is head of his department and told me that if it is cancer surgery improves 5-year survivability from 6% to 25%.

[moonscape]

16. Everyone has an anecdotal cancer story, but here's mine:

A good friend was dx'ed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, had surgery and that was 17 years ago. She's thriving.

This changes nothing about general odds, but only to say that the one thing I have learned through my own cancer journey is that percentages mean little when it comes to our own lives and paths. I've been on the wrong end of odds a lot, but also on the right one. I can think of many times my odds of something were <1% yet that's exactly where I found myself, and also the reverse.

I'm very sorry you are having to go through this during a time your husband can't be there with you. It's heartbreaking, though I know you'll feel him close and know that he's there.

All the best. Lots of crossed fingers out here for you.

[Nululu]

17. Thanks so much for the encouagement

Of course I'm scared to go through this but hopeful. I have a chronic disease that kills two-thirds before 40 and I'm decades past that.

Here's hoping my streak continues.

And hats off to all the other cancer survivors going through this time.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. You can't bring your cell phone?

[Nululu]

4. I'm not sure. My husband couldn't for his cancer surgery.

The nurse calls on Friday for my preop meeting and I'll ask.

They're having changes for covid.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Why couldn't he bring it for his cancer surgery?

How long was he hospitalized.

I think there's some fear that cell phone stuff supposedly interferes with the many machines and devices in the hospital, which is utter nonsense, as most of the staff are constantly using their own cell phones.

[Nululu]

6. Don't know

He was hospitalized for 5 days after surgery for colon cancer. They removed a foot of his colon and lots of lymph nodes. It was contained so he has a 95% chance it won't return.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. Definitely ask about bringing your cell phone when you have the

consult.

[Nululu]

8. I hope I can bring it.

No visitors is bad enough. I saw they have 21 covid patients in the hospital but cancer patients are in a separate building for recovery.

[Nululu]

18. I can bring my cell nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. Oh, I'm so glad.

Thank you for letting me know.

[lunasun]

9. The cat space filler sounds comforting . Take care and do keep up informed on progress

[Tetrachloride]

10. a really comfortable soft cloth and ear plugs.

to lay over your eyes for better sleep. as for me, terry cloth is very nice.

soft cloth

very good kleenex in a zip loc bag.

extra zip lock bags

ear plugs

[Nululu]

13. Thanks. I hadn't thought of ear plugs or baggies

[MLAA]

11. I would bring a favorite pillow (with colorful pillow case or two)

Hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes if you have any. And he’ll yeah, I’d bring a stuffed animal if it will give you some comfort 😊

Also, house slippers that are safe but easy to get in and out of so you don’t have to walk on their floors. Flip flops for when you are up for getting a shower. Comfy laze around clothes for when you are feeling better and get tired of mooning everyone with their gown with the split down the back 😬.

List of all your prescriptions ( I would actually bring any inhalers if you use them just in case). My husband was use to taking Tylenol PM at night, the hospital he was in last year didn’t carry it. I slipped some in for him since he reacts badly to sleeping pills. Depending on how busy your area is with COVID-19 ID, I would take in bottles of water, a few health bars, crackers, snack portion of diced peaches etc. If they are understaffed you might not have the normal luxury of getting something to eat when you are hungry.

Puzzle book or books...something to do towards the end of your stay when you can concentrate and need something to do.

Good luck!

Added on edit: face wipes if you have any so you can wash your face if you want without too much trouble.

[Nululu]

14. Thanx MLAA great ideas nt

[Staph]

12. I spent a lot of time in the hospital the last year.

I would always bring my cell phone and tablet (for reading books!), the appropriate charging devices, an afghan for warmth and comfort, a couple of pairs of leggings for warmth as well, my own toothbrush and toothpaste (I hate the taste of the hospital's brand and their toothbrush had very hard bristles), shampoo, Chapstick or equivalent (I like Burt's Bees), facial moisturizer and hand lotion, and a few old lady necessities (small compact with magnifying mirror, nail file and nail scissors, and tweezers).

Your mileage and list will vary!

[Nululu]

15. Love the old lady ideas :) nt

[Nululu]

20. Back from the hospital

Surgery was 8 hours but they did it orthoscopically. Lost half my pancreas, my spleen, lots of lymph nodes but glad it's over. Six days in the hospital were eerie. Numerous rooms were empty. Only one visitor per patient allowed. Hospital admissions relocated away from the ER. I'll be taking it easy for a while but it's getting better. They are trying to limit narcotic use. They don't want more than 5 days.

[Nululu]

22. Big thank yous to all the great suggestions

You made my hospital time easier.