TAH: 10 days to go, trying to be calm

I'm going today for my pre-addmission testing. I have 10 days to go before my surgery, Sept 21. Yesterday was one of the hardest days yet, I woke up at 5 am crying with so many thoughts in my head. I cried most of the day yesterday and wrote down what was bothering me. I went to my Dr last week because my nerves are shot, can't sleep and have every waking moment worried about all the "what ifs" of surgery. He gave me xanax, took it last night and finally sleep for 5 hours.
I'm trying to realize that all the worrying in the world is not going to change the fact that I have to have this done, and just deal with what comes my way.
What I have realized is that I'm not going to get much comfort from my family, they just think, "hysterectomy" it's done everyday for years, you'll be fine. I'm sure I will but it doesn't make it any less scary.

My fear is after the surgery. What if I the meds make me sick or don't stop the pain?

It can be hard to remain calm before surgery. My emotions were all over the place. I am one of those lucky ones who gets sick when I take pain meds. Be sure to speak up and let your medical team know if you're feeling sick or in pain. I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow! Hang in there!



Deb

I had a TAH/BSO 3 weeks ago, and I was really nervous too - after all, it's fairly major surgery!!

But for one thing, my pre-op. appointment the week before surgery was really re-assuring and took away a lot of my fears because some of the "unknown" had gone.
Was still pretty worried though, but the day before surgery I was so busy preparing (because I live alone and had a heap of things to do to help myself afterwards) that I felt quite calm.

Went to hospital at 7 a.m. and had to wait around for my turn at 10.30, but I tell you, all the people who dealt with me right up until i was lying on the operating table were just fantastic - efficient, caring, cheerful. I was actually shaking with fright but they gave me some pre-op. jab that calmed my fears!

Next thing I knew it was over and I was coming to - they even handed me a phone to call my brother and I felt completely "with it" - though I don't remember the journey from recovery to my room!!
(I had a single room - oh bliss!)
I had no pain for about 24 hours because I had a morphine injection in the spine before the anesthetic - if you can get that option, I really recommend it. I had a catheter and a PDA pump and IV, and that first night was checked hourly - I think!!
Actually I did have a nausea problem... quite bad... puking the next day, though they gave me every anti-nausea med. till they found one that worked.
That does not mean you will have that, so don't worry in advance.
I actually had no appetite for about 4 days (though I ate) after I came home - and I was in hospital 5 days!! I think it may be that I am of very slight build and my body just wanted to get all the drugs out of my system!
Truly - it will be OK. It isn't a picnic, there will be pain, but it can be managed. I did learn that you HAVE to rest, because I did too much my first week home and felt worse than when I first came home, but it was my fault!This week i have turned a corner for sure, have said goodbye to the ibuprofen and am starting to feel quite cheerful!

Sorry this is such a saga and maybe not at all reassuring!!

Just go with the flow - before you know it you will be on the other side and heading towards recovery. We are all different and you may have no nausea at all. You may well have youth on your side, too! I am 62!