I am a nervous wreak

I am new to this site and so glad I have found it. It has answered alot of questions that I have had but still have left some. I have mine on October 1st and am a nervous wreak. I don't know much about this other than what I have heard people talk about. I am hoping this takes care of alot of my pain and my dr. told me if I wasn't so stubborn I should have had this done 3 yrs ago. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to talk to your kids and get them ready for this day. I am a single mother of 2 (9 and 5) and right now they think this isn't gonna be as bad as people are making it. I have tried telling them about having to help me cause there isn't alot I can do after awhile. How long have you guys had to wait to be able to drive? They are both active in sports and I hate having to depend on anyone for anything.
For all of the women getting ready to have theirs I wish you good luck.

I have 9 & 7 year olds & I was just very honest with them as to what will be going on - age appropriate of course. I just sat them down & told them that mommy was going to need LOADS of help for a few weeks. It helped to bribe them too! If they were super good & helped out, they got a special surpries. My 9 year old carried the laundry basket to the washer for me & carried the clean clothes back to me so I could fold it. My 7 year old was great at bringing me something to drink, etc. when I needed it.

I was able to drive 7 days after my TAH. The doc said that as long as I was not taking narcotics, I could drive no problem. The first few times I drove, I just made sure it was just short trips like driving the kids to school. I would try my best to avoid bumps in the road - but after a few days of driving, it was no problem at all.

I hope my information is helpful to you. Take care!

Hi there !!!
My husbands children are with us full time, and they are 5 yr old twins and an 8 yr old. They are in "transiition therapy" and I asked their therapist how to handle it. She said to let them know that I had an "owie" on the inside, and the doctor is going to have to make a cut to get to it and fix me, so I would be able to do things like ride bikes and play ball with them. They knew I was in the hospital, and once the majority of the tubes and all were removed, they were able to come and see me. The twins will join up to get a laundry basket downstairs, and the oldest has been a terrific helper. He beams on how he takes apart his lunchbox and puts things where they belong. You will be amazed how the kids will embrace the responsibility, and will totally enjoy the fact that they can help you. HOWEVER, your house WILL NOT be the way you like to keep it, and you have to get over that (I am working on it still). The meals may not be the same, etc. But that is OKAY, because you will be healing - and you need to heal. You can contact us here or message me anytime. I am just two weeks into this, but this site has amazing women and are the best resource for information and support.
Keep us posted!!!!
Mary

Hello. I am new to the boards and finally joined tonight! I can totally relate and had the same questions about how to tell my children. I have a 12 and 10 year old and never thought about how I was going to explain the surgery to them. I mainly concentrated on how they will have to take over the household chores and that I'll need a lot of rest. I guess because my children are a bit older, they know I need to get some female issues resolved and need to help out. I too need to drive the kids to and from school so I'm hoping that I can drive one week after surgery. I have my fingers crossed.

My son is 15, an age where I didn't want to scare him with too many female issues! Initially I told him I am having an operation and will be off work for a couple of months - his reply was "Oh, right". ?? I think maybe it helps because I went in for an ablation a month ago, so he assumes that because I have recovered from that, I will recover from this.

I have showed him the week by week recovery schedule and he just laughed! Boiling enough water in a kettle for one mug? Wow that was funny. I think perhaps he was trying to cover his nerves because I'm usually running around doing everything. He is a pretty great kid and although he is going to stay with his Dad for a few days after I get back from the hospital, I know when he comes back to us he'll do everything he can to help.

BTW, my Dr told me no driving for at least four weeks, six if I can manage it. If you have to do an emergency stop or something like that you put great strain on the muscles in your abdomen.

Good luck Melmoore! I'm having mine on Friday.