TAH: Scared to death

My TAH is on the 7th of Oct, in 12 days time and I cannot get my mind off it.
I am so scared of the surgery. I have this image of me saying as they wheel me into the OR "Noooo, I don't want the surgery" and freaking out.
I suffer from panic attacks.

I do not know how.. I am going to do this

(((((Hugs)))))) I know exactly how you feel. I had a SAH last Wednesday and was really scared and nervous. My mind kept thinking about all of the worst case scenarios and I was about ready to back out. I knew going in that I would have to have a vertical incision and that only made me stress more. Hang in there because for me the waiting and not knowing was truly the worst. I also have panic attacks sometimes so I know that makes everything seem worse. Do you take anything for them? If not and the panic gets too bad, talk to your doc about taking something. I wish you the best of luck and pray you have an easy and uneventful surgery and recovery.

The way I see it is this - take it out of your worry box because you're going to have the op and it's going to make you feel so much better. I have mine the day after.

I have a little mantra I use for flying, which I adapt to suit. After going through security my anxiety really ramps up and I say to myself 'are you getting on the plane?' a little voice says 'yes' then the bullish me comes back with 'well shut the **** up then' and I'm fine! Totally works, I just get on with my duty free shopping.

Try it.

'Are you going to have the operation?'
'yes'
'Well shut the **** up then, and pass the salad!'

Good luck.

Before the surgery the anesthesiologist will most likely offer you a sedative about 30 minutes before. It will help.
The waiting and anticipation is the hardest part.The people doing the surgery are trained professionals and they do surgery every day all day. Their jobs are too take care of you. They won't let anything bad happen to you.
You will be fine!!!

thank you everyone, now I am totally calm. I am going through mini panic attacks and then calmness.
I meet with the anesthesiologist on the 2nd of October.
Here in South Africa they do not do pre ops, you just go to the hospital on your day and have the surgery, but my doctor saw how nervous I was and booked an appointment for me to see the anesthesiologist. I will tell him to knock me clean out lol before the surgery. haha.

(((Hugs)))
Take a deep breath, relax and say to yourself "It can only get better!"
I'm going in for a TAH tomorrow morning and while part of me is panicking about getting everything ready and the fact this is my first surgery, I'm at the same time really looking forwards to it as I know it will be better on the other side, without this painful uterus in me. Apart from not having managed to prepare everything at home as planned, I'm feeling strangely calm tonight. Not running around like a headless chicken as much as I thought I would

*Sends some positive thoughts and calm energy to anyone needing it*

Debbyann my surgery was 8-21 and I was a nervous wreck I had never had any kind of surgery before much less be put to sleep the day of I was petrified having all kinds of bad thoughts my surgery was scheduled at 1030 but the dr ran over which made it worse the staff was very nice when they finally came for me they took me into the or I had to getup on the table I sat up told they anesthisiologist that she better wake me up I layed down looked at the lights above me felt a bit woozy but in a good way
Then they put some really warm blankets on me that was all I remember until I woke up very peacefully in the recovery area I felt good I was thirsty a little Hungary and had to pee I got up for dressed and went home once there I still felt great not out of it at all but once all the meds wore off the worst part is the gas and just getting comfy no real pain I only had to take 3 pain pills and that was the first 24 hours after that just Motrin you will be fine drink water walk and keep bowels moving I'm now 5 weeks post op forgot I had surgery have not had any hot flashes night sweats even much fatigue good luck to you don't worry it will be fine if I can do it anyone can hugs to you

	Quote:
Originally Posted by DebbyAnn My TAH is on the 7th of Oct, in 12 days time and I cannot get my mind off it. I am so scared of the surgery. I have this image of me saying as they wheel me into the OR "Noooo, I don't want the surgery" and freaking out. I suffer from panic attacks. I do not know how.. I am going to do this

I suffered terrible anxiety, before my surgery. Luckily, I had a check-up with my regular family doc and she prescribed 'something for my nerves' for the week leading up to the op date. I am not one to usually take meds like that, but she said to take the script, just in case I needed it.( I think she could see I was not my usual self.) I did, in fact need it, and it really helped. If talking/venting things out to someone works for you, then great, do that here, to friends, or maybe even a counselor... but if you need meds for your anxiety, don't be afraid to ask your gyno/dr. They hear this stuff all the time...anxiety is a major thing for some ppl before any surgery, so don't feel alone...and yes, you will get through this, no matter what.