24 hours and counting

i am beginning to freak out yet again. my surgery (tah) is scheduled for 24 hours from now--noon on 3/22. i have so much left to get ready. it's only me here and i don't want to do anything when i get home but rest.

i thought i had worked out this scared thing. apparently not. i even had a will drawn up yesterday and a durable power of attorney for health care. yikes!

i go back and forth between being completely unable to do anything to almost manic. any adivse on how to get through the day?

I don't have any real advice but just know I'm doing the whole manic/can't move thing today. Went crazy this morning with laundry, bills, paperwork, painting, pressure-washing part of the house and now I'm sitting here like a slug.
I'll be saying special prayers and lighting a candle for you tomorrow. You will be fine, no matter what you get done or don't get done.
Wait, here's some advice-just hang out on here all day and read about what's going on with everyone else. I do that sometimes and it takes my mind off the whole "waiting game".

My surgery is scheduled at 8:30 in the morning. I am putting finishing touches on the house and packing my bag.
Luckily for me, my life is so busy and I am totally scheduled today so my mind is off of me and on other things. I also have a very competent husband who will take care of our 3 dd's so I'm not worried about when I come home. And my church has set up a meal schedule for a week. I guess there's nothing to do but be pampered.
I didn't start freaking out though, until I saw the Best Wishes March 22nd Princesses post yesterday.

Good luck to you tomorrow and see you on the other side.

hi vintagered...i'm going in the same day as you. i'm not scared yet as i have been thru this just one month ago, feb.19...unable to complete my tah at that time, so back for surgery, this time with a gyn/onc at another hospital. you won't feel anything until some time after the surgery and i'm sure the nurses will be very attentive, esp. since you'll be on a surgical ward where they have to check your vitals, etc. frequently. i was made to get out of bed the second day and encouraged to walk as much as i could in order to pass wind and finally a b.m. walking also helps with the gas pains and prevents blood clots. just a little hint...place a squishy pillow over your abdomen when getting in or out of bed, also if you have to cough or sneeze. i kept it over my tummy in bed also. remember to do the breathing and coughing exercises they give you...very important in order to prevent pneumonia, etc.

don't overpack...you'll see a lot of women on this website say they could have packed the things they actually used in a ziploc bag...lol. that was my experience also. i didn't wear the cute p.j.'s or nighties i brought, just the hospital gown, along with my dressing gown for walking. a clock on your table is handy too. i was too tired even to read the hardcover book and magazine i brought!

remember to rest when you get home and eat lightly for the first few days or so. gas x helps with the gas pains, which i found were the worse pains i had. they may give you these mesh, stretchy panties in the hospital to wear...they are great. my sister bought me some when i got home, brand name "tena", from the drug store. they are good for being comfortable, and your incision can breathe...also they gave me some protection for the incision, especially the staples. mine were removed at day 9.

it is very important for you to take it easy when you get home so the healing can take place. no lifting, pushing anything too heavy, no going out shopping, etc. you can do internal damage if you overdo it before the healing has occurred. i feel great after 4 weeks...i think they say 6 to 8 weeks for tah...maybe more depending on the individual. luckily i don't have to go to work...that would be difficult.

good luck to you...you will be fine and you will be well cared for in the hospital. try to enjoy the evening before your surgery...don't overdo it tonight. i know it's easier said than done...just know you will be fine and you have lots of support here on this website. hope to see you on the post-op side. best wishes.

The day before was the worst. I think it is more risky to drive to the hospital than to have the operation (at least as far as death is concerned)

Tomorrow you will be so relieved. All the best

thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement. i just got off the phone with the surgery nurse and burst into tears. i wish it were tomorrow this time when it should be all done and i am in recovery. i haven't even begun to think about packing yet. yikes! i am so behind. i will take all of your advise and knowledge and try very hard to process it all. thanks again.

linda

Best of luck to you tomorrow and I wish the the best for a speedy and uneventful recovery. See ya on the other side!!!!

Wendy

It's okay to be fearful and teary-eyed the day before surgery. I was okay with surgery up until the day of surgery. It was then I became fearful and teary-eyed. Thankfully my husband and mom gave me lots of hugs and encouragement to help me get through the hours pre-surgery.

Once you go to pre-op everything goes by so darn fast...at least it did for me. I was to busy giving a urine sample, being put into a surgery gown, and adorned with those lovely white stocking that prevent blood clots. Before I knew it they gave me my Margarita (relaxing drink) and inserted the I.V.. My doctor came in and said I still had a fearful look in my eyes so he ordered another Margarita....LOL....way to go DOC! My mom and husband were in pre-op with me so that helped a lot!! My mom prayed over me and my husband gave me a big I'll see in a bit hug and kiss and I was whisked off into surgery.

When I woke I was being wheeled to post-op (so I'm told) and then to my room. Everything after surgery was a blur until the next morning.

I did take my own nightgown and robe which I gladly changed into on the evening of the second day after a much needed shower. I also took my make-up case with a few cosmetics and did manage to make myself presentable for visitors. A friend of mine put together a hospital bag which included; cards, gum, Pond's Clean Sweep Towelettes, magazines and a lavender pillow. The best item in the bag was the towelettes. When I couldn't get out of bed at least I could freshen up by cleaning my face.

As some of the other sisters mentioned it's best to take it easy and allow yourself be pampered until you get the okay to do activities from your doctor. Each of us has a different healing process...Your body will tell you when you've to much and when it does LISTEN!!

I pray all goes well with your surgery and am looking forward to hearing from you on the other side.