Question About Timing

[sascmed314 9]

Ok, so my original surgery date was scheduled for the 30th, and had to be rescheduled because I ended up with a nasty cold and a fever. I was hoping to be rescheduled for today, but the earliest they could get me in (with some serious rearranging of surgery schedules) is this Thursday. The mental stumbling block I'm running into is this: I'm a nursing student and have my first 12 hour clinical day for the semester on the 18th. A whopping 9 days later. I'm wondering if it's realistic to expect that I will be feeling up to doing a 12 hour clinical day in that amount of time, or if I should seriously consider rescheduling? I know that people heal at different rates, etc, and think that overall I'm a fairly fast healer, however I'm also concerned about getting my fluids in. I do NOT want to get behind on my fluids that early in the game. I would appreciate some input, even if it's to tell me that I was crazy to let them schedule me that close

[Back~To~Amy 307]

I think you are going to get very different answers since, as your pointed out, people heal at different rates. At 9 days out I was no where ready to sit at a desk for 8 hours much less do something like you have coming up. Not only did I not have the energy at that point, but I'm one of those who struggled with quite a bit of pain. I was on prescription pain meds off and on for 3 weeks.

There may be others who think you could do it fine based on their experience. However, based on mine I would say to reschedule. The truth is, you could get 1000 answers here but all those will never determine how you will feel postop. As much as you want this surgery yesterday, I wouldn't risk it. It is better to put it off until you have plenty of recovery time than to be so tired or so in pain you can't do your 12 hours.

Good luck to you in your decision and your journey!

[cynthia4722 74]

My doctor recommended to take two weeks off work. I would suggest rescheduling . I felt fine after my surgery but I would get really tired and have to lie down. You also need to sip Water constantly and that would be hard to do.

Good luck with your surgery.

[sascmed314 9]

Unfortunately there's no moving the clinicals around. I have a 12 hour clinical day every Saturday for 8 weeks. And I do value it...I worked way too hard to get into nursing school and I don't want to mess this up now, when I have 281 days till pinning. I was thinking that it was too ambitious, but my crazy self said "yes! I can do the 9th!" when she called to tell me. And really what it comes down to is that I'm afraid I'll be much too tired and won't get my fluids in. I guess December will be my new sleeve month!

[SophieJaneB 92]

I was not mentally ready to work 9 days after surgery, I was not taking in enough calories to be able to "think" properly. At only about 200 calories, I was not on my a-game.

Now, at a month post op, I am definitely ready for work, taking in more calories, I can think clearly again.

[SunnyCox 245]

While everyone is different, I was back at work seeing patients within a week. I do not have to move or transport patients. I see them in my office and am primarily behind a desk or at the bedside for the day. I kept a bottle of Water with me and put a few premixed shakes in the fridge. I think it is doable, but it would depend on what you were going to be doing for the day.

[sascmed314 9]

The first day is always a crap shoot regarding what we're going to be doing. Depends largely on the clinical instructor, and I've never been with this one before. Most of the time though, and at this point in the game it's likely that we'll be taking 2 or 3 patients and doing total care for them, passing meds, doing IVs and foley catheters and stuff if needed. Unfortunately, it's not possible for me to keep a bottle of Water with me because of hospital policy. I work there as well, and we're NOT allowed to have food or drinks outside of the break room at the nurses' station, etc.

[notime 340]

It seems from all your comments that you have answered your own question!

[sascmed314 9]

Hah, yea...I have a tendency to do that. I guess I just wanted to make sure people's feedback would coincide with my own thinking.

[halfofheather 8]

I did not get sleeved yet but I am nervous enough about it and the recovery, without the added stress of doing that kind of physical activity 9 days out it will most likely stress you out to much with having that on your mind. Plus you want to be on your top game in the clinical and what if your on pain meds? Good luck with your decision and your surgery!

[Ready4success 380]

Hey, I don't know if you cancelled your surgery yet, but I had something come up in undergrad, and had to miss the first clinical day. It meant that I couldn't miss any more days after, so it was stressful, but it worked out. If you missed the first clinical day, that would give you an additional 7 days to get better. Just a suggestion, only you know what's best. Good Luck with nursing school and the sleeve.