Less than 2 weeks now and too much to think about...freaking out

So officially hit the less than 2 weeks mark now and I am starting to freak out for several reasons.

* I do not have sleepwear for the hospital (I'm a t-shirt and panties girl)
* Need slippers - hate slippers.
* upcoming weekend I am rearranging my room and cleaning the carpets and reorg the closet - yuk!
* Have to call insurance company because the dr office screwed up the benefits verification even though I told them what to do 20 million and 1 times.
* trying to think what all I need to bring with me to castle - and I keep drawing blanks eventhough I read the lists 20 times.
* Thinking about what in the world I am going to do while I am recovering I know I am going to bored.
* Terrified thinking about getting cut open and waking up from surgery.
*Generally just FREAKING OUT

Stephanie
TAH 7/20 remove uterus/cervix keep ovaries

Hey, okay, first we have to calm you down Second, pack BIG old navy men's t-shirts, forget panties, I wasn't allowed to wear any. Next pack, an IPOD, lipgloss, hair brush, face clothes, gum, hard candy etc in a small bag that can hang from the bedrails. Third, pick a TV series that you never watched and get the DVD set to watch about the second week. I picked Grey's Anatomy..total addict now. You will get bored on occassion so come back and post in the recovery forum for your week of surgery. You will make some great friends here. Take care and best of luck!

Its ok. You are having your meltdown moment (be glad, I had mine at work!)

I've added my comments below yours,

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Stefanari So officially hit the less than 2 weeks mark now and I am starting to freak out for several reasons. * I do not have sleepwear for the hospital (I'm a t-shirt and panties girl) -I just wore their gowns (they wrapped around just fine). I had taken a gown and a capri PJ set but the day I 'cared' to change, was the day I went home. I was glad too, the first night I coughed and my incision weeped. It would have ruined my new PJ's. * Need slippers - hate slippers. - My hospital requires you wear these socks with grip strips on the bottom. I just wore those. My team had gotten me slippers but I never wore them. * upcoming weekend I am rearranging my room and cleaning the carpets and reorg the closet - yuk! - Be realistic about your projects. Getting things done can be very liftting, you feel in control. Taking on too much has the opposite effect. * Have to call insurance company because the dr office screwed up the benefits verification even though I told them what to do 20 million and 1 times. - This is a pain but is a good thing to be able to 'check off the list' in 25 minutes or less. * trying to think what all I need to bring with me to castle - and I keep drawing blanks eventhough I read the lists 20 times. - I took a lot with me. I used: 1. Chapstick 2. Eyeglass Case (Hardshell) 3. Pen 4. People Mag (I couldn't 'read' but short comments were ok) 5.Toothbrush/Paste 6. Hairbrush 7. Peppermint Tea Bags (Gas - Helps hot or room temp) * Thinking about what in the world I am going to do while I am recovering I know I am going to bored. * Terrified thinking about getting cut open and waking up from surgery. - I woke with an abominal incision and was so scared. It was hard but ok. The first 72 hours are rough, you just have to know they will pass by. The 1st time out of bed is the worst time out, you just have to know, the next time will be easier. - Don't try to be a hero about pain. Stay on top of you pain meds. If your on a pump, hit it when you think you need it, don't wait to see if you really need it. If you are on oral pills and they ask if you want them, say 'yes'. Pain is best managed sitting on top of the wave, if the wave builds it is harder to get back up there. *Generally just FREAKING OUT - This surgery is so overwhelming. Part of the problem is all the unknowns, it would be easier the second time but we only do this once. Any specific questions, feel free to ask or PM me. Julie Stephanie TAH 7/20 remove uterus/cervix keep ovaries

First, it sounds like you need one of these ....

The other (((sisters))) have given you some great help, here -- I'll just add my for what it's worth.

In retrospect, I could have packed for the in a large ziplock bag. I let the hospital do the laundry and wore their gowns, which was a good thing because I would have never been able to negotiate the IV tubes with my own stuff. Couldn't wear my own slippers -- I had to use the hospital-issue slippers with the grippers on the bottom for liability reasons.

As far as housework prep goes, just get done what you can get done. I wouldn't worry about cleaning all the carpets unless someone was coming in to do it for me. Whatever really needs to get done will get done, and what doesn't get done will get done later.

As far as freaking out about waking up and being in pain, etc.... we've all been there. For me, it helped to "futurize" the experience. Instead of worrying about how I'd feel when I woke up (over which I really had no control anyway ), I said to myself, "Just think -- in a few weeks the surgery will be over..." and stuff like that. You may wake up in pain or you may not, but worrying about it now isn't going to change anything. And if you wake up and it's not too bad (as many sisters report), you will have wasted a whole lot of energy worrying about something that didn't happen.

to you. Just do your best to relax (I know, easier said than done) and keep on keeping on. in there.

Thank you all so much for the advice and ecspecially the pj delimma that helps so much I will stick to the hospital garb it just sounds easier.

I am so glad I have this site to go to and so if my family

thank you darlings

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Stefanari So officially hit the less than 2 weeks mark now and I am starting to freak out for several reasons. * I do not have sleepwear for the hospital (I'm a t-shirt and panties girl) * Need slippers - hate slippers. * upcoming weekend I am rearranging my room and cleaning the carpets and reorg the closet - yuk! * Have to call insurance company because the dr office screwed up the benefits verification even though I told them what to do 20 million and 1 times. * trying to think what all I need to bring with me to castle - and I keep drawing blanks eventhough I read the lists 20 times. * Thinking about what in the world I am going to do while I am recovering I know I am going to bored. * Terrified thinking about getting cut open and waking up from surgery. *Generally just FREAKING OUT Stephanie TAH 7/20 remove uterus/cervix keep ovaries

Stephanie - Don't spend your money to purchase sleepwear or slippers for the hospital, you don't need to....unless of course you want to & it makes you feel better. I sleep in boxers/camisole's, no night gowns for me. No need to stain or ruin any of your own things. However, I wore the standard issue hosp gown they give you. I am glad, since I dripped/spilled drinks down my chest among other things. Also, they will give you the stretchy mesh underwear to wear for pads. It will not be tight on your abdomen. As far as slippers, hospitals will give you booties with tread on the bottom, so your feet will be warm & you will be able to walk without slipping. Just bring something comfortable & EASY to put on to wear home or wear what you are going to wear when you report in for surgery. I wore very loose comfortable shorts & a comfortable sleeve-less shirt, and flip flops. Best of luck to you!!

Lizzie