Apparently I need a pre-op, but no one told the nurse!

Hi,

I called my surgeon's office today, to let them know I had this mild cold thing and was put on antibiotics by the walk-in clinic doctor as a precaution etc, but worried about it affecting the surgery date. They redirected me to a nurse who works with pre admissions, but she hadn't received any of my paperwork yet.

She asked me what I was getting done (rectocele, cystocele and hysterectomy) and she said oh! I don't have any of your records here, but for a hysto we like you to come in for a pre-op - but I have everyone booked already who is having surgery on September 6th. But not me, it seems. So she now has to chase down receptionists and people for my chart.

I was freakazoidal before, then got more freakazoidal because of this light cold and light asthma symptoms which could possibly force a postponement, which will probably cause me to have a mental breakdown. Now I am utterly and double-triple completely freakazoidal.

Then she told me that they will probably recommend a spinal with sedative - and I nearly dropped the phone, I was so scared. But she said that basically you are still asleep, just breathing on your own rather than being intubated, and not as hard on your lungs, which in my case would be best if I have just recovered from a cold. I wanted to be completely out, didn't want any memory of any of. Really, really didn't want a spinal. I really, really, really didn't.

Oh Mylanta! This is just too much stress for me. I was trying to rest as much as I could today, get well, not worry, not stress and go back to work tomorrow (mini meltdown yesterday ended up in me being sent home - nicely, because I just couldn't stop weeping and worrying). Now my level is way high again. This sucks big time, but I won't fight it as they know best. I don't think I like being this kind of Princess, it's not much fun.

Oh God! Please let them find my chart, please let me get my pre-op, please let me be okay for surgery, please let me have my surgery on Sept 6th. Please - why can't I just warp into the future and this all be over and done with.

First off, calm down.

You are stressing yourself out far more than you need to. There is plenty of time for them to rectify the preop paperwork and get you in. Also, you have time to get over your cold and have already taken steps to keep it in check.

Lastly, the nurse doesn't decide what type of anesthesia you get. Talk to your dr and your anesthesiologist. They want you to be comfortable just as much as you want it.

Deep breaths. It will all work out and you'll be on the other side before you know it.

Thank you! You are quite right

I have managed to calm myself down, and am in fact doing much better now - they have called me back already and I have a pre-op scheduled for this Friday morning.

I am actually happy and excited about going - because it will give me a chance to ask some questions!

I know I'm a worry wart and I know it's not good for me.

Yay! That's great news. I hope you get good answers on Friday and that they ease your fears.

I can't believe how much it has put my mind at rest - and how ridiculously happy I am at the thought of a pre-op, lol