I want to officially say thank you to the hospital Toronto Western and the TEAM of people that looked after me. First the surgeon Michael Tymianski, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.S.C.
Just mention his name and you see the respect he has obviously earned from his peers.
The entire TEAM of people that helped with the surgery and my care after was wonderful. There was a handsome Dr.Rafael (Rafael- not sure if that was his first or second) when he introduced himself I immediately thought to myself - I LOVE that name... I also met so many wonderful nurses- Shawna -ALWAYS had a smile on her face and something positive to say- she was like a ray of sunshine trying to stop me from vomiting - lol - not an easy task, I threw up after the surgery for 3 days straight. Savana, Rnpita, Dawn - made me laugh later when she told me to stick to the RAB diet and then in the same sentence told me about little rabbit like pellets that would help me poop... I was confused and later said my diet would help me poop little rabbit like pellets - I sorted it out in my mind - I'm all clear now, no pun intended.
BTW Rice-Apple sauce-Banana's diet worked after I was home wonderfully - Even Kelly and Ken - orderlys (?) were very helpful and pleasant. There were a few in my drug induced state that I can not remember their names .. thank you.
I had a negative experience but not enough to bring attention to it as it was minor compared to the GREAT treatment overall. Thank you to all my friends too who have baked, called, chatted , sent well wishes and a special thanks to Cathy <3 for taking me on my first outing! Norm and Storm and my mom for helping me once back at home.
Laundry - it does not do itself! Who knew??! There is nothing like HOMEMADE comfort food to help heal.
ONE thing about the hospital I do NOT agree with... GET RID OF THE televisions!
We do to have coverage for a private room and I was in a room with an elderly lady who watched TV all the time! We do not have cable - a choice we made 3 years ago and loving it- here I was sick, just had major surgery and had to listen to that T.V. between vomiting.
I think it was part of the reason! I remember my head throbbing and listening to commercials- DO YOU EVEN realize how many commercials there are ? - NOT TO MENTION all the drug marketing! < Call it what it is.
OH man, I heard some lady punched a walmart greeter in the head because she could not find what she was looking for and I listened to Judge Judy - luckily she calls it as she sees it. I listened to the Wheel but by far the worst - listening to Victor Newman -( My gosh is he still alive? - I watched that in HIGH school!!) THE DRAMA - it was all drama, and lol- hospital drama. I was there to get better not to be assaulted by the BOOB TUBE.
If you are in the hospital and able to watch all these shows - GO HOME!
PLEASE have some consideration for the person NEXT to you.
It was unfair for me to have to listen to it and it was on all the time! I could not wait to leave and would have sooner had my stomach co-operated. I was there to heal, rest, sleep, it was not even possible until I was back in my own bed. Watching.. the wizard of OZ, some classic films, educational documentaries and yes of course WB cartoons. NOTHING that was going to add stress to my throbbing brain. PEACE.
I came home and read this:Psychological effects of watching T.V. There is a theory that when a person plays video games or watches TV, the basal ganglia portion of the brain becomes very active and dopamine is released. Some scientists believe that release of high amounts of dopamine reduces the amount of the neurotransmitter available for control of movement, perception of pain and pleasure and formation of feelings,[10] although this remains a controversial conclusion. A study conducted by Herbert Krugman found that while viewers are watching television the right side of the brain is twice as active as the left which causes a state of hypnosis.[11]
[edit]Physical effectsStudies in both children and adults have found an association between the number of hours of television watched and obesity.[12] A study found that watching television decreases the metabolic rate in children to below that found in children at rest.[13] Author John Steinbeck describes television watchers:
"I have observed the physical symptoms of television-looking on children as well as on adults. The mouth grows slack and the lips hang open; the eyes take on a hypnotized or doped look; the nose runs rather more than usual; the backbone turns to water and the fingers slowly and methodically pick the designs out of brocade furniture. Such is the appearance of semiconsciousness that one wonders how much of the ‘message’ of television is getting through to the brain."[14]The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under two years of age should not watch any television and children two and older should watch one to two hours at most. Children who watch more than four hours of television a day are more likely to become overweight.[15][16]
TV watching and other sedentary activities are associated with greater risk of heart attack.[17]
SO - NO Televisions in HOSPITALS! People are there to get better! If I wanted to be entertained I'd stay home or pay attention to the real life hospital drama.. like seriously sick and ill people who need attention and help. <><