Marathoner’s Hysterectomy Journey – morning of

Good morning!

I’m sitting in a massive bed at our hotel and just took my final sip of (black..) coffee. At 11am my husband is taking me to the hospital to check in and we both have to sign a consent form for “Hospital at Home.” Hospital at Home is, what sounds like to me, an awesome program where eligible, medically stable patients get hospital-level care in their homes (on in my case, hotel), instead of staying in the hospital. Medical team members care for the patient using both in-person home visits and virtual visits (phone and/or video). They also use technology to monitor you. Hospital at Home care is short-term (average 3-7 days) and is available 24/7, and 365 days a year. Northern Health is currently trialing Hospital at Home in Prince George, through the University Hospital of Northern BC, which is where I’m having the procedure today. I hope it all goes smoothly!

I swore I was going to get up early and run this morning, but this king bed is pretty comfy. Maybe I’ll go for a little shake out when I’m done writing this.

All there really is to do this morning is not eat (since midnight) or drink anymore clear fluids (since 8am), take my one prescription medication which I’ve done, and have the final shower. I’m feeling pretty nervous, I always half-faint when I get blood drawn so I’m scared that having such an empty stomach and lower blood sugar is going to make me freak out at the hospital, but I’ll just have to get through it. I’ve never had an IV before and they gross me out. I’m also scared of how much pain there will be after.

The extremely nice gentleman who called yesterday from the Hospital at Home program was very thorough, and he reminded me that even though I’m a H@H candidate, if the surgeon decides for whatever reason that it’s safest to stay a night in the hospital after all, she can make that call. So I packed a light over night back just in case but as long as all goes well my amazing husband will come and get me once I’m done in the OR recovery.

Here we go. Talk as soon as possible.

Jamie