Fears and thoughts at 6 days pre-hysterectomy and counting

So, my surgery is this coming Monday, the 24th. I am having mixed feelings, my biggest fear is the fear. I am afraid I will be a basket case the night before. We are going to the beach this weekend and I am hoping it will help keep my mind off the surgery.

But does anyone else feel like they should write their kids and
husbands letters just in case? Is that silly? I know millions of women go through this and come out fine. I also feel pretty good about the fact that I too will come out fine, but I just feel that just in case I want them to have something from me.
I try to focus on why I am doing this. The years of heavy bleeding, the constant anemia, fatigue, blood stains, and for the bladder part I am so dang tired of peeing myself! The bleeding was once a month but the peeing is daily so that I am really looking forward to!!!!! No more odor, or bringing extra clothes with me just in case.

But still, my uterus carried 5 babies, one that went to heaven. I have tried to not think about the emotional attachment to my uterus. But I do feel a little sad at losing the thing that carried my children.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I am sure that a month from now, this will all be no big deal, but it feels so huge right now and so many mixed emotions!

Hi Julie. I am 6 Weeks post-op today and have been cleared of all restrictions. My recovery was quite smooth, no complications, and I'm feeling close to my old self again. Like you, I was scared before my surgery. The night before, realising DH had pictures of me, but no recording of my voice, I had him record some videos on his phone. I understand wanting to prepare for the worst and I think writing letters is lovely. once you're out of surgery safe and sound, have them read them anyway. Then they'll know how you really feel when you're unguarded and focusing on the essentials that you want to tell them. My pre-op conversations with my husband and family brought us all closer during my recovery. You will most likely be fine, but do what makes you feel peaceful going into surgery. If that means knowing you prepared for every contingency and told your loved ones how much they mean to you, then do it. Best wishes on a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

I have been giving my husband "instructions" about how I want my daughter raised. I bought cards for them and a little gift for my daughter. I think I will probably write a couple letters and emails. I am also going to let my husband and mom (in writing) know what I want with my remains if something were to happen. I would write a will or advanced directive - but I just don't have the time. They know me and I will speak with them about it. I trust they will make the right decisions.

Hi Julievb73 -

All of your emotions, fears, and nerves are very normal. It is hard to say goodbye to your uterus, the organ that carried your babies. Mourning it loss is also very normal. We really understand what you are going through.

Some women do write letters to their family members - it is not silly. For me, I did mental goodbyes to our house and our cats, and gave my DH a goodbye kiss to remember me by in the pre-op room before they kicked him out. Not that I thought something was going to happen to me, but it made me feel better.

Enjoy your weekend at the beach.

Thank you all for your responses and encouragement. It is so helpful to know that I am not alone.

I too had felt like writing letters for my kids. I am a single parent. I wanted to draft a will but had no time to do so. What i did was to complete as much of my paperwork as possible. Ex tax matters etc. I prepared a list of assets and contact persons for my daughter (16 y.o) just in case sth happened to me. I reassured my daughter that my surgery is usually a safe procedure even though a major one. It helped ...