It works! Thumbs up for the "How to prepare, go thru and recover from surgery" book!
Surgery hit close to home last week. My friend Trent, who is also the husband of my amazing editor and cherished friend Alice, had ear surgery.
What a great opportunity to test run the material in the manuscript, see if it works the way I've intended, which is to support anyone going through the surgery process, preparation through recovery.
So, prior to meeting with doctors, Trent read the book. Then armed with the manuscript, he and Alice met with, and interviewed, the surgeon, using the tools and lists included in the manuscript.
Here's a sampling of some of the questions:
Questions about the surgeon's credentials:
- Are you board certified in a surgical specialty?
- How often do you perform THIS procedure?
- What are your qualifications/experience/track record with this procedure?
- What are your statistics regarding the outcome of this particular procedure?
Questions for your surgeon about the procedure/surgery:
- What operation are you recommending? What is the name of the exact procedure?
- Why do I need the operation?
- Are there alternatives to surgery?
- Is the procedure absolutely necessary?
- What if I choose not to – don't – have this operation? Can I elect to have it at another time, or is it important and time-sensitive to have it done now?
- What are the benefits of having the operation?
- What are the risks?
- What are the possible complications?
- Is this procedure a “cure” or a temporary “fix”? How long will the benefits last?
- What are the risks of having the operation?
- Will this be an in-patient or out-patient procedure?
- In what ways will my life be different after this surgical procedure?
- What has been your experience in doing the operation?
- How long will it take me to recover? What can I expect?
For Trent and Alice, the questions provided in the manuscript proved to be a solid outline as they stepped through their process.
Yeah! This is the intention and goal of my project!! :0))
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| BEFORE surgery. |
Here Trent is before his procedure - calm cool and collected. Well-educated and well-informed and confident because he did his homework.
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| AFTER surgery! :O)) |
And here is Trent after, radiant and dashing as always. A little dopey from the anesthesia, but getting his IV fluids. And, he is under the tender, watchful, protective eye of Alice; she wasn't gonna let anything happen to the man she adores. This meant she had to stand her ground with a less-than-vigilant post-op recovery nurse. However, Alice was prepared for this too and very clear about what she expected in terms of post-op care for her husband. And, she was willing to be non-negotiable about it. Polite, but non-negotiable. Right on Alice!!!!
The result, Trent is now resting comfortably at home. He is also carefully following the post-op directions he and Alice were given so the process of healing can continue, so the delicate repair done to his ear can now heal fully and completely. This means no lifting or exerting himself for several weeks and lots of rest. Knowing this in advance, Trent and Alice were able to organize their lives and world to accommodate his healing!
If you're not going to allow the time for the repair to heal, then why bother, right? Doctors can fix stuff, but we humans must allow the repairs to heal and integrate.
Yesterday, the day after Trent's surgery, I was incredibly moved and deeply touched and inspired when I received this note from Alice:
"I'm still emotionally recovering from yesterday, but it's all good. I don't want to leave Trent's side, it's funny, even though he's fine.
Holy shit, Lori, the world NEEDS your book!"
You cannot know how happy it makes me that to read this. Thank you!
Surgery, any surgery, no matter how simple and "routine" or involved, IS surgery. This means that someone, who someone else loves, is going through something new and scary - scary for everyone.
While I cannot fool-proof the process, I believe there are ways to approach surgery and recovery for a more successful experience and outcome, so everyone feels like they win. The doctor (hospital, nurses, etc.) does his job, the patient theirs and the advocate theirs. The result: A positive, empowered feeling. A post op smile and a knowing that it's going to be okay. Healing with a thumbs up.
Nice work guys!! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it. I love you.
