need someone to talk to

I know how you feel, I had a tvh a week and 4 days ago. I also
was very scared. But I can tell you now if I had to do it all again
next month, I would not be scared at all. I had a spinal with sedation, and it was great, I was not aware of anything that was
going on once they gave me the sedation shot in the pre op room.
The next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. my spinal did
ware off when I was taken to my room, so they ordered a pain pump for me. Anyway I am doing just fine, the surgery was really
not bad at all. I know you will be just fine I will be happy to
answer anymore ? that you may have. Or try to anyway.

Diedra,

I believe your feelings and fears are totally normal. At least I hope they are, as I'm having the same ones! My operation is on the 1st. This will be 6th operation of my lifetime and it's not anymore less frightening than the 1st was.

I'm extra worried as I'm single with 2 dogs & 2 cats and a home to take care of. My niece and best friend will be with me, but still they can't be with me all the time and recovery is sounding worst than the operation to me. I don't like not being able to "do" for myself. As a precaution, I re-did my health care proxy and will providing for my animals. Not working is an added worry for me as I live paycheck to paycheck and NYS Disability is barely anything, so I'll be very behind in bills. I work a full time job and a part time one, and I'm frighten to be off for any lenght of time - can't afford to lose either one. I've stocked up on things as best I can. Taken alot of suggestions from the sisters here and I'm about as ready as can be.

I hope hearing for the rest of us that we all have the same fears and worries help you. Try and rest and relax as best you can and I'll be sending you good thoughts and prayers on your big day.




Lois

Hello To All Ladies in Waiting...

I had a TAH exactly 3 weeks ago. Before my surgery, I was scared, full of all kinds of thoughts. It is normal. I can honestly tell you, the anticipation is the hardest part. You WILL do fine, and I mean that sincerely. You will see how skilled all the doctors and nurses are, and you will come to understand that even though this operation is "foreign" and new to you, it is routine for your health professionals. I really know how you all feel. We have all been there!

We all had or are having this surgery for a reason, and we all made this decision carefully. You will be so happy at the RELIEF you will feel afterwards. It's amazing. I feel better than ever, mentally and physically, and you will too.

One tip I can give you is to be ready for the gas pains that might come, once your bowels start up again. I was not prepared for this. I recommend you bring some Simethicone tablets such as "Gas-X" with you to the castle. These saved me! A nurse gave me some to alleviate the gas pain. You can find these over the counter.

Also, if you experience any nausea afterwards from the anesthesia, consider asking for anti-nausea medication. It really works and brings relief.

My best to all of you scheduled for surgery. You will do great, you'll see! Waiting is the tough part. The healing is quite rapid. Rest assured, all will be well, and life on the other side is much improved. Hang in there!

Nora

I have found guided imagery tapes great to help with pre-surgery anxiety. My insurance company actually sent me one for free because a controlled study found that patients who used them before surgery had less bleeding during surgery and less pain afterward!

You can get them at www.healthjourneys.com. There are tapes for all kinds of physical and emotional issues. I'm listening to a "Fight Cancer" tape every night and will switch to the "Successful Surgery" tape when my surgery is scheduled.

I love the tapes (also available as CDs). There is soothing music and narration by a wonderfully warm and nurturing voice that tells you a little story to follow with your imagination. Whether they really have a physical effect or not, I always feel great afterwards--calm and hopeful.

I really recommend them. Discovering them has been a silver lining to this whole experience.

I'm going to suggest they do a tape for "Dealing with Insurance Companies" but that's another story . . . .