There are people that understand.....

Yesterday I was at a birthday party for my nephew and I was talking to my aunt and my grandma about my upcoming surgery and they were both encouraging and sympathetic and understanding. Now, both of them have had hysterectomies, so they understand. But today I was talking to my mom and sister about it and they both agreed that it is major surgery and they understand that I'm scared and they know that I will need alot of time to rest. They were making sure that my husband was going to take enough time off of work to help me and if he couldn't, then they would be there for me because I will need a good solid 6 weeks to recover. It just made me feel good because all this time, I felt like no one understood what I was dealing with and so many people have acted like this is no big deal. It's amazing how much better I feel just to have someone acknowledge my feelings I just had to share because in the past I've shared the stories about the insensitive people

Dear Pasdechat,

I'm so glad that your friends and family told you that they understand your fears and that they are concerned. Sometimes people just don't realize that unless it's said out loud, we don't hear their concern, even if it was there all along. (We're all guilty of that at times).

Now you know without a doubt that they care about you and are planning to make things as easy for you afterwards as possible - thanks for sharing.

's

Karen

Dear pasdechat,

You did good! You actually took the step to talk to your family about your concerns and now it's all straighten out! One less thing to worry about.

I'd like to suggest to my parents that any food they could send my way, after surgery, would be wonderful but haven't found a way to broach the subject yet.

Take care..

: Lauren

That is so great to have that kind of support...... You'll do so good with that kind of support behind you.

Lauren,
I have a friend who is the best cook ever and LOVES to cook.... I just said...... Hey I have an idea... How about roast, patotoes and gravy instead of flowers? she was more than happy to do it.
In fact she just called at this very moment and is on her way over....... how funny. You all know what I will be having for dinner...
take care
DonnaFay

After saying that there are people that understand, I had my step-mother and brother over dinner tonight. Well they asked how long I'll be in the hospital after my surgery(TAH) and I said probably 3 days. They were shocked and my step-mother said she thought it was an outpatient surgery:shocked: I explained to her that it was major surgery and that the doctor will be making a large incision and that I will definately need that time in the hospital. It just goes to show you that alot of people have no clue

I have had so many people not understand what I will be going through.. and that is frustrating... but the ones that do... just know they will be there to support you. My husband's grandma, who I have never felt close to, described what she had gone through in front of the rest of the family. It made everyone realize that it is a major surgery and it felt great to have someone over on my side. When she said it took her 6 weeks to feel normal and everyone gasp and I said.. yeah.. that is what my Dr said.. it really made me feel so much more comfortable that I was going to get the support I needed.

I had a good girlfriend e-mail me this a.m. In my reply, I mentioned my surgery. OK, maybe I obsessed about it, but it is just 11 days away!

She responded and asked me why I was nervous--if it was because I was being put to sleep.

I thought about it for a while before I responded, then explained to her, very objectively and in plain English, what my TAH would entail, from cutting my belly open and removing organs, to the long recovery period.

At the risk of sounding crazy, I told her that I really was very positive about the surgery and was looking forward to feeling better and not having to deal with the woes that my period brought monthly. I haven't heard back from her and hope I didn't offend, but I don't want to minimize the seriousness to anyone who might think I'll be out and about in a few days.

It takes all kinds, I guess.

Nancy

Dear Pasdechat,

So glad you have people around you who understand and are willing to help you during this time when you need them!

Hugs and prayers to you for a successful, uneventful surgery and a restful, complete recovery.

Heard this advice lately about recovery - "Do only half of what you feel like doing." Take it easy!

~Sue