Well it is Saturday.. and I am finally home!! In the past few days I have experienced more pain than ever before in my life. The pain meds work, but that is only when you get them every 3 to 4 hours as prescribed by the doctor.
I must say Dr. Zahn and the weight loss staff at St. Lukes's in Phoenix are great people. I love each and every one of them. However, the nursing staff post-surgery was unreal. I went hours and hours without vital checks... there was one time where I had to beg for my pain medicine and it took them 6 hours to get it to me. By then, I was shaking, sweating, and ready to faint because of the pain. It could only be described as pure neglect. A quote from another patient that had surgery on the same day as I was... she begged them to help her get up.. and the finally answered her calls 9 hours later. When they came in the room they asked what is the probelm... just get up. She pleaded for help... and the nurse said... You people come in for this surgery and then just can't do anything for yourselves!! On another occasion another nurse said... quit your crying it doesn't hurt that bad!
In my case when I reported the incident to Dr. Zahn about not getting the medicine.. he took care of things right away. He is GREAT! After his talk with the nurses I had my vitals taken every 4 hours, I had my drain tubes emptied, I got my pain medicine on time. It was a tollerable experience after that.
Don't let then take advantage of you and speak up.. tell on them and force them to give some compassion.
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Now that my venting is over... I lost 8lbs in the hospital and I am so happy to be home. I am not eating much at all but I am drinking good. I was in pain because of all of the built us gas/air inside me but finally and with some embarrasment.. it has started to come out.
I go to Dr Zahn early next week to have one of my drain tubes out and the other comes out in 4 weeks. I am not sure when I will be back to work.. but for now I am enjoying the time off.
Good luck to you all, and god bless!!