Dear Camilla and Peter,
Concerning Peter's going off his meds before surgery: it is not
uncommon for us to give important meds with a sip of water hours before
surgery (depending upon the surgeon and the surgery). Explain to your
doctor that you are concerned that Peter will become immobile without his
medication and see if taking his meds the night before surgery might
be an option.
Peter might be more comfortable at home the night before surgery,
but if you feel that his condition warrants hospitalization due to safety
considerations, once again, please inform your doctor.
A bedside commode post-op is a good idea whether Peter remains in
the hospital or goes home. He should be mobile before he leaves the
hospital--if he cannot move refuse to take him home.
As I said before, I think you may be surprised at how well Peter
does post-operatively. However, if you feel that he is not well enough
to leave the hospital, it is within your rights and his to insist that he
remain there. Remember that you pay your doctor--he is your employee, so
please make sure that he is aware of the problem areas you have
identified. He will write appropriate orders in Peter's chart to cover
those contingencies.
You questioned whether a walker might be in order post-operatively.
This year my husband had a devastating gout attack so I rented a walker
in an effort to increase his mobility. He wound up carrying the walker.
Turned out that his balance problems became worse instead of better
because of the walker; he kept tipping backward. I don't know if that is
a common problem with PD folks, but a walker was useless for Jamie.
It is in Peter's best interest that he become mobile as soon
after surgery as possible. A wheelchair might encourage immobility, so I
would consider only as a last resort.
------
Please let us know how Peter does
Mary Ann
Zippo's mom
