Hi!! New here & very scared....

I was more nervous early on, but the closer I get, the more anxious I am to get on with it... that and the fact that i'm bleeding for the 4the week in a row....:P

I have found a LOT of good info here! My dr was impressed with the questions I had.... I got them here!!!

When I asked the nurse if she thought the dr was a good surgeon, she told me he did her hyster.... so I'm guessing she was satisfied!!!

Hello Ladies In Waiting. Just 7 days ago I was a Lady in Waiting just like you. Just like you I found this site and started talking to my "big sisters". I was amazed at the support and genuine care I received from these wonderful ladies They are all very correct...the closer my date came the less nervous I became as I knew my struggles with my body were soon to come to an end (9 day periods.. extremely heavy bleeding for the first 4-5 days).

You are taking a very important step in taking care of yourselves and it does not end after you are wheeled out of surgery... Rest is going to be a major factor in the recovery process...listen to your body and do not be afraid to ask for what you need.

I look forward to meeting you all on the other side

Hello All ~ I too was nervous & scared about the surgery. Thank God for this site. My best advice is to look at the hints pages and start making lists of things to get. The day before surgery, even if you have to do bowel prep, keep as busy as possible and use that day to set up your "recovery space". Also, if you have medications that you take on a regular basis I would suggest a 7 day pill box (got mine at the $1 store) and set up your meds ahead of time so you don't have to think too hard about what to take and you don't miss any doses (of course ask your dr about when to resume taking them). Then when you get home and are able post on your recovery thread let everyone know how you're doing. This site is great for so many reasons, but the best reason for me is the help, sympathy & guidance I get from my fellow sisters. Good Luck to all of you! See you on the other side!

I think most of us were/are scared before surgery so please know that you are not alone - we're here to support you. There have already been a lot of great suggestions on this thread already, and I'd like to add one more. I bought the surgery companion CDs from this site and they really helped me a lot. I feel they had a lot to do with how well I felt so soon after surgery - and I haven't experienced gas pains at all. They also helped reduce my anxiety before surgery. Will keep you in my prayers.

The absolute worst time is the days/hours before. I was my own worst enemy with where my mind would wander and worry like crazy. This was basically my first surgery, and I wish I could've told my pre-op self how great I would feel - if not physically, then mentally.

I had the biggest concerns about "not waking up" after surgery, but my first thought in the recovery room was, "****, that was a great dream!" while the recovery nurse tried to get me to cough (owwie) and fed me ice chips (oh, the simple joys). Trust your surgeon, trust your nurses. It is their job to help you heal and get home.

My biggest piece of advice: you own this. You will not want to get up and walk, but you need to. You will not want to eat that awful jello and broth, but you need to. You need to push that nurse button if someone said they'd be there to help you go to the bathroom and they're not. Others will help you, but often the biggest hurdle is just getting comfortable ASKING for help. You can be your own worst enemy, but you can also be your strongest supporter. You can celebrate going an extra lap around the hospital halls. Cheer when you pass gas or have a BM for the first time!

And when you need a little pep talk or emotional support or someone to hold your hand, we're all here for you. I was amazed at how comforting it was, just knowing who was going in for surgery the same week I was. I was holding everyone in my heart, and I know they were doing the same for me. There is strength in that.

I forgot to mention... The best piece of advice I got was "don't be a hero" Take advantage of the meds in the hospital so you don't start hurting. It's easier to prevent pain than to control it after it starts.

Big hugs from NJ! I'm 8 weeks out this Thursday and feel better than I have in a year! Still tired a bit, but doing well. I'd never had surgery or been under anasthesia before my D&C in March. I'm very relieved. Please keep us posted and the advice from Wanda is spot-on!
xo Mari