pre-op fear and post-op outcomes

I'm having my surgery the day after tomorrow (TAH/TT). I've been on this hypnosis kick, filling my head with positive thoughts about how wonderful I'll feel when this is all over with and how straightforward my recovery will be. It's worked great so far. Virtually no anticipatory anxiety--just ready to get in there and have it done.

But today I'm losing it. I think you can believe in the best and hope for the best and still end up a victim of fate or a doctor's bad day. So now, to bring it full circle, I'm worrying that by WORRYING I'm guaranteeing myself a bunch of complications, a slow recovery, and a bad outcome.

Please, someone tell me that she worried like a maniac, had lots of crying jags, and did JUST FINE in the hospital and afterwards. I don't see how I'm going to make it through at this point.

(((Cynthia)))

It's completely normal to be feeling what you're feeling. No matter how well prepared you are, how much confidence you have in your DR, how positive you are about the outcome, there is still worry.

Up until now you've been busy with pre op preparations, working, whatever, and the surgery has been sometime in the future. Now it's staring you in the face.

Go out and do something fun with your family or friends to help keep you occupied. Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal (in a few weeks when you read it it will make you smile when you remember what you were feeling today).

Just do your best to maintain your positivity.

Best wishes and s

ps I notice your surgery date isn't listed. Please go into your profile and update it, adding your date so you will be on the calendar. Thanks!

Hi Cynthia,

What you're feeling is normal. We've all been there. Try to take some time to do something relaxing for YOU before you go to the castle.

Keep thinking positive thoughts and in no time at all, you'll be on the better side

s
Cat

ps...please go into your control panel and edit your profile so we can see your castle date.

I agree: keep yourself busy. But I do understand about the feelings of losing it. Yes, it's normal. But if you have the skills to do meditation or positive thinking, get right back to it as soon as those feelings hit. You'll get back to that peaceful place. What you want to do is take this one step at a time. You want to stay calm and focused so that you will be in the best shape possible for whatever lies ahead = and that isn't just the surgery. I say you're on the right track and just got derailed there for a minute. Get back on and you'll be really fine. Mind you the surgery can go ahead whether you're freaked or not. You'll just feel lots better if you're not.

What you're going through is perfectly normal. Before my surgery there were days that I that I worried quite a bit and then there were days that I thought I had everything under control and was fine, but there was this underlying uneasiness.

It did not take much for me to start crying at home. One of my teenagers snapping at me would bring me to tears. I wasn't really panicked about the surgery, just concerned about if I was doing the right thing and the "what if's".

But as many of the princess will tell you waiting is the hardest part. My surgery went very well, recovery for the TVH has been so much easier than I ever imagined. I am now glad that I went through with it and got it over with.

I could try to sound like the voice of experience telling you that worry is silly because I now feel like all the worrying I did was silly. But I can't fool myself or anyone else, worrying is part of this for most women. It is a big step no matter how much a women wants or needs this. I spent a lot of time on this website and especially in prayer. Both truly helped.

Good luck.

Cynthia
I know exactly what you are feeling!
The night before surgery, I took my cell phone and went for a drive. I phoned the people that were very special to me, especially my DD that lives in another province, to say my good byes. I and drove for 2 hours. When I arrived home I did feel a bit better.
The next morning, surgery day, I told my DH that I was going to drive since I didn't know if I would ever do it again. At the Castle, I kept telling him, if they miss with the IV, I'm outta here, if they do or don't do this, I'm outta here, and so it went on until they wheeled me away.
As I was being wheeled into the OR, I was crying so hard, I think it was because all of the opportunities to get "outta here" where gone. The knock out doc came in and I grabbed him by the arm and said, "don't let me die". He looked at me took my hand and said, "of course not" He was stroking my cheek and one of the nurses was rubbing my hand.
The next thing I remember was waking up in a big room with beds all over. I had no idea where I was. Then they were pushing the bed somewhere and I seen my DH and Best friend standing there! I knew I was fine.
Other than a few annoyances due to surgery, I have not regreted having this done at all! Every day I feel stronger and look forward to continuing with the rest of my life!
I am sending you big ers and lots of huggz!
NO MORE Lorri

Hi Cynthia,

I worried at first but then I had to make up my mind to stop because I realized that I was only hurting myself. I decided to be like the Nike commercial. "Just Do It!"

I am so happy that I had the surgery and it has all been worth it!
I will for you!
Take Care!!
Robbi

It's normal to be jittery a few days before an operation. Keeping busy is a good thing to do.

Looking back, now that I'm "on the other side" I think that one of the reasons some doctors require a bowel prep is to keep their patients' minds off everything else, and give them something to do the day before surgery....worked for me!

I'm just at the seven-week mark now, I'm doing very well in terms of my recovery, and so far I'm very happy that I did it, and happy with the outcome.

Before my surgery I felt the same as you. I surched and found this web site. The most important message my "HysterSister's" gave me was to remember to treat youself like a queen before, durring and after your surgery. So many of us women give and give but never take care of ourselves. This is real surgery not "just a Hysterectomy" .