Diary of a Crohn's Flare: Count down to surgery

Warning: I am NOT a medical professional, you should follow the advise of your doctor in the areas related to your health.


This is the surgical count down that I was given by multiple people (the surgeon, the hospital, and the home health care nurses).

Two and a half weeks before surgery

• Schedule surgery
• Discuss diet with doctor (low-residue)
• Discuss activity level with doctor (walking is fine but no running, no lifting more than 8 lbs)
• Discuss medications with doctor
• Arrange IV antibiotics at home

One and a half weeks before surgery

• Surgical consultation (surgeon isn't sure what he'll have to do, he's given me a range of possibilities which I'll discuss in another post).

7 days before surgery:

• Stop taking supplements (vitamins, minerals, and other supplements)
• Stop taking NSAIDS and blood thinners (doctor said it was OK to continue with the weak heparin solution for the IV flush).
• Get the house's financials in order
• Get my college kid's college paid for
• Arrange for my kids to go to GenCon :)
• Hair cut
• Cut finger and toe nails 
• Wean myself from coffee (so I don't get withdrawal headaches in the hospital)

24 hours before surgery:

• Adopt clear fluid diet (sherbet does not count as a clear fluid :( , Italian ice does :) along with Broth, Jello, Italian Ice, Cranberry juice).
• Pack for hospital
• Wash sheets (so I have clean sheets when I get home)

18 hours before surgery:

• Last IV antibiotic dose
• Last dose of oral medications (down to just 3 oral medications now!)
• Charge my cell phone
• Pack my computer

12 hours before surgery:

• Last food before surgery 
• Last water before surgery

6 hours before surgery:

• Last shower before surgery
• Scrub my entire belly with surgical scrub

2 hours before surgery:

• Check in at the hospital
• Since I have the PICC line already installed, some of the prep work won't be necessary.  I hoping they put me out after not too long :)