Hurry up and.......wait.............and wait............

7/15/10 Another lesson learned!

I really didn't know what was important to me during this process, until I learned yesterday what I don't like about Piper Cancer Center. And it's a little too late now to be changing things. Normally, one would think you go into a hospital building and whatever needs to be done is taken care of. NOT at the Piper Center, because it is part of the Scottsdale Hospital Campus. Hubby and I went from building to building to building yesterday in order to accomplish a few simple tasks.
Get my preop lab and EKG. We went into the building that said Piper Cancer Center, but that's not where the preop tests are done. Nooooo, that's across the street... ok, not bad, within walking distance of where the car is parked. Had to register in, just like I was being admitted to the hospital. Little strange but....ok. But before I could get my preop tests done, we had to meet with someone who went over every bit of my hospital stay. What I could and mostly would not be allowed to do. NO body lotion, no oil, no deodorant! This is not good....I live in the freaking desert, it was 112 degrees today...so ya want me dried up and smelly...oh, and ugly, because obviously no makeup either! Well, I hope they run screaming when they see me in that kind of condition!

So, finally get the preop crap out of the way. THEN I have an appointment at "Tina's Treasures" where I get fitted for my post surgery camisole and mastectomy bra. Unfortunately, my preop tests were scheduled at 7:30 and even with all hoopla, I was done by 8 AM. Hubby and I had to go back to the first building we were in, and sit and wait for close to an hour for my 9 AM fitting appointment. Oh, but wait, after they open the shop doors, I'm informed I have to REGISTER! But wait! I just registered for the preop labs...unfortunately, this is a different department.. and building! Fine....get registered again. Get fitted...the lady was nice, she had breast cancer twice....Tina was there, and my sales lady offered to bring Tina in so I could see her reconstruction job....ok....now that's getting a little weird. Sorry, but everyone heals differently...and I don't care to see how Tina turned out! I was told she'd be more than happy to show me! Again....no, thanks :[

As I was registering the second time, I was asked if I had pre-registered at Piper. I said I had pre-registered on~line at the Scottsdale Hospital website. Ummmm, no, wrong, I have to register at Piper Surgery Center. So, if you just go out the main doors, get in your car, drive allllll the way around the CAMPUS, go to the locked entrance gate, type in the access numbers...THAT'S where I can pick up the paperwork. All righty then....had troule finding the Piper Surgery Center, got directions from the receptionist at the Scottsdale Hospital, got back in the car and drove to the correct building, got the paperwork...and low and behold.....IT WAS THE SAME PAPERWORK I FILLED OUT AT THE PREOP LAB AND EKG BUILDING!!!!

Ergo, my lesson learned is to ask....IS THIS HOSPITAL SELF~CONTAINED???? or is it an entire CAMPUS??????

7/16/10

Today was less eventful. Had to go out to Dr. Gawley's office to go over all the pre-op, surgery, post-op what to expect kind of thing. Now again, there was confusion as to where I go FIRST when I get to the PIPER CAMPUS. After Brenna called Piper to re-verify (and she spoke to three people) I go and register at Piper Surgery Center, then I will be TRANSPORTED BY BUS to the Nuclear Med Dept for the sentinel node mapping. (I still can't wait to write about that one, because I've been given three scenarios in the past two days!). When that procedure is done, I get BACK ON THE BUS! to be escorted BACK to Piper Surgery Center where FINALLY I will be put under general anesthetic! WHOOOO HOOOOO!

Here's the time frame I was given: Be at Piper Surgery Center at 8 AM (I was told 8:30 AM yesterday) sentinel node mapping at 10 AM. Bilateral mastectomy to be around1 PM with tissue expander surgery to follow. Will probably get to a room around 6 PM. oh....and NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK from MIDNIGHT the night before.....oh, sure... 112 degrees in the shade, no water, nooooo problem!

The final kicker for this morning.....I got a call from Scottsdale Breast Care Center, which is part of the Scottsdale/Piper CAMPUS. She wanted my mammogram films because they needed to decide HOW to proceed with the sentinel node mapping! I told her I wished I had known that yesterday....when I was OUT THERE!!!! My breast surgeon has the films...and the last time I saw Dr. Walker for my surgery consult, she told me she was "keeping them". I guess they just need to call a courier service....because I'm not taking them out there. sheesh!

Well, this is probably my last post until after surgery. This coming week should (hopefully) be uneventful. Therefore, the only posting I would be doing is yadda yadda yadda~ing about pre-op jitters. And no one needs to waste their time reading that!

Thanks to all who are following......I am sure I will have many more lessons learned in the following weeks and months, and I will share all of that with you.......... like it or not :)