Pre. Operation Assessment

My op was precovid so I had parts 1 and 2 on the same day but didnt meet the anaesthetist until I went to theatre.( must admit he was lovely and let me choose  The Pogues , fairytale of new york as the music to go to sleep with.Perfect for an old folkie)

Like most things different hospitals do  things slightly differently especially during covid.

Kath

Hiya Kath

hope you don’t mind me asking what do you have to do on the  bike,

do you have to wear a mask to measure oxygen (a bit claustrophobic with masks) 

Gosh its over 2 1/2 yrs ago now.yes there was some sort of mask.I had to cycle and they kept altering it to simulate hills etc.

Only problem was it kept breaking down so they had to keep starting again so I was on it longer than usual which didnt do my poor knees any good.they said they could get the engineer in and I could come back another day but I chose to plough on.

I dont think that usually happens.I was just unlucky.

You will be fine

Kath

Thank you 

Well let’s hope mine goes smoothly lol 

Do let us know how you get on

Kath

Hi Pippa

I had my pre-op assesment - all the above at beginning November last year and Op on25/11/21

I was incredibly anxious as I have a mobility issue due to RA, and have been on steroids for 30 years and gained weight on them.

I really needed the operation as the radiotherapy was not an option for me as I had a full quota of that in 2016 for vaginal cancer. But I was very anxious I would not get through the bike test.

When we saw the anaethetist he did not seem at all confident I would pass, but we convinced him to at least let me have a go. I had to have a thing in my mouth tht I think measured gasses or whatever I dont recall a mask, though I may be wrong.  We did the trial, for two minutes, then he said he would gradually increase the gradient.  I will be honest, it was not easy, but with my husbands encouragement and the anaethetists too, I completed the full ten minutes.  We waited for the results, when he called us back in I was nervous as by that time my legs were shaking and all a wobble and I was very thirsty,  He told us the results were not the best they could be, but he was more than happy to refer me for the surgery.  He said he was as sure as he could be I would make it through the surgery (my husband asked him out right) but that the recovery may take me longer and be rather up and down.

The surgery was long but I made it, and was only in CCU for 24 hours.  And home after just under three weeks, whereas they had thought I would need 4 weeks in hospital.  No wound infecions etc and all brilliant.  Only issues have been side effects from chemo I started in February.

Be confident in your abilities and go for it.  You will be fine.  Please keep in contact how you get on.

PS my ECG and BP are always good, I do think there is a slight tendency to look at someone with mobility issues and a weight problem as being bound to have heart issues or high BP but I always exercise and move as mush as possible as my joints cease otherwise.  In fact in hospital they were amazed at me up and walking with a frame out the ward pulling my drips behind me, I was more active than some of the younger more apparently fit folk!  However ads I say I know my body and have to keep moving!

Good luck! xx

I have just remembered.A lady next to me in hospital told me that she couldnt manage the bike because of arthritis so they used a hand bike instead.so there are always options

Kath

Will do but is a few weeks away on the 22/4

Thank you that is very encouraging, I have been doing loads of work on expanding the lung Capacity and riding my spin bike daily still worried about it.

I too have came off huge amount of steroids about a year and a half  ago. It took nearly 3 years to come off them. 

I too gain a lot of weight while on them, and have taken a bit off

if they could see me lifting paving stones level the dirt and relaying a gravel system in my garden dig over the flower beds.

my assessment is on the 22/4 I will let you know how I get on

many thanks feeling a bit better 

Meg’s xx