Pre-surgery hypnosis and other questions

Hi Ladies -

There has to be a bright spot in this time of anticipation, right? For me, it is that I can bring my iPod into surgery with me. I have meditation and hypnosis MP3s loaded up but nothing pre-surgical. Are any of you ladies into this sort of thing, and if so, can you tell me of any specific hypnosis tapes you used. Any other alternative healing that you used either pre-op or post op? I am a Reiki Master so I plan on doing self healing while in recovery, and am looking for another practitioner to possibly come to the hospital post op.

Another question: I have not told anyone about this surgery. Only my 6 year old and my mother know, but not my brother or sis in law. I don't feel like telling them. We live in the same town, but I never hear from them on good days, they are always too busy to get together, and I don't want to interrupt their lives any.

Also, I really want to just get dropped off at the hospital and I dont want anyone there in recovery, not my mom, nobody. I am really ashamed at having this surgery, it makes me feel like a failure and I am afraid it is going to leave me feeling old (if they have to take an ovary or two) and less of a woman than I already am.

I can tell that surgery is coming closer, all this stuff is rising to the top and I am not sure what to do about it.

Thanks for listening.

Katie - I don't know much about hypnosis (but sounds like a good idea!) but I do know that you ARE NOT A FAILURE
I can appreciate your concerns about the surgery - I'm right there with you! But sometimes our bodies just don't cooperate for a variety of reasons and we have to take steps to ensure the best quality of life we can achieve. For us, that means loosing a few "bits & pieces"! But it is not failure! I've fought for YEARS to keep me intact, but it is now time - my health and well being are at stake - as I'm sure yours are, otherwise you wouldn't be having the surgery!!
I hope you will reconsider having your mum with you at the hospital - it's good to have an advocate with you. Hospitals are generally understaffed and it's nice to have someone who truly has YOUR best interests at heart while you are recovering.
Tons of

Thanks Aussie Girl -

My mum will be there, no doubt, I just don't want anyone to see me after surgery...for about 8 weeks to be exact. LOL

I have it in my head that I have adenomyosis because of trauma suffered to my uterus when I lost my son about 8 years ago and that is playing a big part on my mental state right now. I pretty much went through that alone, and wish I could do the same with this.

On a side note: what is it about Aussies that is so alluring? I am surrounded by them at the moment, as I am writing a sales letter for two partners, and have one as a colleague. Makes me want to find one for myself :-)

Thanks for writing and for sending hugs!

Hi Katie,

Before surgery I made a special i-pod playlist for my hospital stay. I can really get lost in music. I also down-loaded a meditation cd from Dr. Wayne Dyer. I don't know much about hypnosis except from some conversations I've had with my BF who studied and practiced it before we met. Maybe that's how he convinced me to continue our long-distance relationship... LOL!!

As far as having someone at the hospital... I know that my hospital needed to know who would be with me or who to contact. My best friend was there. I don't have any family living near me. I think you will need to provide a contact of some kind, if no one will be with you. I'm so sorry you feel bad about the surgery. I'm not saying it made me happy... but I feel as if it was the best available option that I was able to take advantage of, that is improving my life. I'm 53 and I feel younger than I have in many years!

I hope you keep posting here and let us know what's happening.

Best Wishes!!

Thanks for writing. I just loaded up my iPod with meditation and hypnosis and then
I have a playlist setup with my favorite acoustic music for later in my room. I think
I am all set.

This is the time for positive thinking and I am going to try and focus on that this week.
It is going to be wonderful not to worry about monthly pain and disability. Funny how
my periods came at the most inopportune and special times. Now I won't have to worry
about that!

P.S. my mom will be there when I come out of surgery.

P.P.S. I am listening to Andrew Weil now on medical hypnosis, it is very interesting.

Thanks!

Oh gosh (((((Katie))))). I wish I could come care for you! I can feel your anxiety because mine was so similar. I didn't want anyone around and was mortified at being touched because I am a rape survivor and have believed for years that although it wasn't my fault, I contributed (and I did! really!) to what happened to me. Long road back to being sexually comfortable and to then have to give myself over to people and have no control??????? Uh yeah right.....its been tough. And I do have to tell you that I thought like you going in....don't want anyone near me......the comfort of DH and MIL being there was amazing. My sense of embarassment at those scary times was gone because I was quite frankly to scared and in too much post immediately post op! I did tell DH the other day that I needed him to back off a bit because I am so embarassed by how slow my recovery has been and how disgusting and disgusted I am with myself that I am having bowel issues. There is no dignity in this and it kills me. If not for the women on here being so open and willing to share, I know I would have lost my mind in these last few weeks.

So, feel free to talk here or PM me if you need a stranger who knows you to talk to (sounds odd huh?), follow your heart in terms of telling anyone anything and you'll be fine. I am so sorry about the loss of your child. I don't think there is any pain worse in this world for a parent. (((((Katie)))))) But you did nothing to cause the adenomyosis. I had it too.
hugs
Karen

mskayjay - thanks so much for listening to my post.
I have had my tonsils out and then a DNC after the
loss of my son, and that's it surgery wise. As the
day get near, a whole host of emotions are starting
to flood to the surface. If it was surgery for something
other than my reproductive organs, it wouldn't be a
big deal.

This is a good thing. I have been in physical pain
for years and It is going to be great to have a life
that is NOT planned around my cycles.

I need to remember that and focus on that.

On the plus side, my iPod is all loaded up and ready
to go.

Oh Gosh - can I add a little more into the story for you?

This is good and in writing about it, I know that this is
as much of an issue as anything else...

The day of my surgery is the day an old boyfriend will
realize that I live in town. I haven't seen him in a very
long time and it will be a surprise for him, and he may
not be too happy.

How will he know you ask?

Because I have to specifically request that
he not be the anesthesiologist for my surgery.

:::shaking head::: as if it weren't bad enough.

Well, it is gorgeous out, I am getting no work
done and I am fighting back tears. Time to get
into a positive frame of mind. I am going for a
mountain bike ride in the woods.

Thanks again for thinking of me, and listening to
my post.

Gratefully yours :-)