Bladder Replacement

15 years 4 months ago #22628 by Cynthia
Replied by Cynthia on topic Bladder Replacement
Please feel free to call anytime if I am in the office I will pick up if not leave a messege and a good time to get back to you. I look forward to talking.
Hang in there just remember that every day that goes by puts you closer to putting the surgery behind you.

Cynthia Kinsella
T2 g3 CIS 8/04
Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
BCG 9/05-1-06
RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
Left Nephrectomy 1/09
President American Bladder Cancer Society

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15 years 4 months ago #22622 by BJsHere
Replied by BJsHere on topic Bladder Replacement
Pat-
Thank you for the links and your suggestions.
They are informative and helpful too!
Is the baby yours?

Take care, BJ

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15 years 4 months ago #22621 by BJsHere
Replied by BJsHere on topic Bladder Replacement
ED-

Thanks for taking the time to fill me in. Very informative. I am feeling so crummy that I am now looking for the relief!

Your comments have been a big help. When is a good time to call Cynthia?

Best to both of you,
BJ

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15 years 4 months ago #22620 by BJsHere
Replied by BJsHere on topic Bladder Replacement
Thanks so much for all of your help!
You are just a wealth of info.

I can only hope someone was there for you leading the way to an easier recovery!

You're in my thoughts...BJ

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15 years 4 months ago #22619 by eddiek
Replied by eddiek on topic Bladder Replacement
BJ,

While I can't answer all of your questions, I can answer some of them which I've included in my response below:

1. What is the University Hospital like? <-- Unless things have changed since 2006, the UCH is a newer facility that's on the opposite corner from Dr. Steinberg's office facility. There's a cafeteria in the basement that's not one of the best I've seen; the one in Dr. Steinberg's office building is better. The surgical waiting room for caregivers is very comfortable and modern. There's an AuBon Pan on the first floor of the hospital and they have good food.

2. Are the beds comfortable? <-- They were standard hospital beds, but Cynthia had a private room which was nice. The staff also provided a folding bed, so our son and I could alternate staying with Cynthia. I would strongly recommend seeing if you can arrange for a private room. As I remember, the floor that they were using for bladder surgery didn't allow flowers in patients' rooms.

3. Is the food tolerable? <-- When you are ready for solid food, which will take several days following your surgery, they had a special arrangement with the children's portion of the hospital to provide food on an extended schedule by just dailing the cafeteria. It was almost like room service - but the idea was to allow the patient to eat when they were hungry.

4. Is there a hotel close by?
I will be staying the night before surgery. <-- Since we had a temporary apartment uptown, I'm not sure about lodging close to the hospital. I believe that Pat sent you a link that my provide more information.

5. What do you recommend I bring? <-- Cynthia had wanted to bring her laptop and iPod, but I don't believe that she really felt up to using them. She also brought some comfortable clothes for the trip back to our apartment; loose pants and top for the bag and tubing. Comfortable shoes are also a good idea.

6. What do you remember when waking up? <-- Cynthia's surgery took about 5 hours and she was back in her room from the recovery area by early evening. She will need to tell you more about how she felt, but at this point she was recovering from anesthia and was is pain from the surgery.

7. Did you have a lot of tubes in you? <-- There were several drains and tubes from the "bladder"; they all have names, but I don't remember all their names. The drains were removed within a few days, but the one from the "bladder" remained for several weeks; maybe two.

8. What did you do for your bowels? <-- Cynthia was literally up and waking within several hours of her return from the recovery area. She had to force herself to get up and moving because she had tubes and IVs to contend with whenever she wanted to get up. After several days, she was allowed ice chips and then sips of water. Once bowel sounds were heard, they started her on light food that was easy to digest.

Hopefully, the information above will help answer some of your questions. Don't forget the Sunday evening "chats" if you have further questions. You'll be in our thoughts, so please keep us posted on your progress!


Ed K.

Edward J. Kinsella
American Bladder Cancer Society
Board of Directors - Treasurer/Secretary

& Caregiver

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15 years 4 months ago #22616 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Bladder Replacement
BJ...i'm so glad you're with Dr. Steinberg. And tho Chicago is my place of birth and the U of Chicago where i was born...just don't remember the beds:P
Cynthia can best answer your questions about the hospital and care and i'm sure that the hospital has places they use with a discount for their patients and families...most do. Here's a link to someone who can help you
www.uchospitals.edu/visitor/hospitality.html
Good luck on your upcoming surgery...........Pat

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