Petrified....

This is my first post....Please forgive me if I make any posting mistakes....

Scheduled my surgery today (October 31)....It will be TAH (lots of large, rapidly growing fibroids and a history of ovarian cancer in the family...)

I'm so scared, I get teary and cry at a moments notice. Little things really upset me and I feel so depressed and distracted....

How do I learn to accept this and face it. I'm reading as much as I can to prepare but am overwhelmed...

Can anyone out there help me find a way to get more comfortable with this reality?

I am a newer member of this site also. First & foremost, try to relax. You are not alone as I am sure you will soon find out. My TAH is next week on 8/16 and my neck & back are in knots. So I made an appointment for a massage! I don't feel stressed and am looking forward to be out of pain. But I think my subconscience (sp?) has other thoughts. My point is: Do something for yourself like a massage, manicure, pedicure, whatever.
Also, maybe you should talk with your doctor about moving your surgery date up. It might help to know that you will have all of your questions answered sooner. Just a thought... Family history of cancer is SCARY to say the least. I wish you well on this journey & that everything will be OK!!
Lisa - TAH 8/16/07 and hoping to keep the ovaries

Hello rockgal and

We're happy you joined the Hystersisters community! There is a ton of solid information on the site, and you will discover that the members have unlimited cyber-hugs to dispense to you at every stage of your journey to good health!

The emotions you describe are almost universal for pre-op ladies. The following article from our Pre-Op Articles archive may prove helpful to you:

Coping With Pre-Op Anxiety & Fear

When you get a chance, please take a moment to "Edit Your Profile" to include your surgery date and type. That will help us to help you!

Many s and Best Wishes,

Rockgal,

I had my hysterectomy on June 18th. I do know that you will be scared to the point of being petrified and cancelling the surgery but do not. I am here today to tell you that you will be fine. You need to put your health first and foremost. I know that this is easier said than done. Just remember that God will walk with you through your journey. Sending you a big HUG!!

ARC369

Thanks for the encouraging words....

I am trying to find courage and being able to ask questions of others is the most helpful thing I seem to be able to do right now.

I'm finding this website a bit overwhelming - there are so many forums. I'll start with your suggestions.

Today has been a good day - I spoke with my mom and with some friends who are being incredibly supportive and I haven't cried...

I hope each of you are doing well and if you are waiting for your surgery - my thoughts and hugs are with you!

Looking for my profile to update as suggested.....

Olynme - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your surgery next week. Consider yourself seriously Hugged! Thank you for your comments - it is comforting to know I'm not alone please know that you are not alone. I am and will be thinking of you...

Thank you for your response Arc369 - hearing from someone about 6-8 weeks out from surgery is encouraging.... How did you find the courage to go through with it?

I've told my husband he may need to tie me up and drag me to the hospital....

Is it ok to ask how you are doing? Or to ask how the recovery process has gone for you?

Thanks for the hug!

Bizet - Thank you for your thoughts and response. I could not get the link to work but will search the forum for the archives. I'll also try to find the place to edit my profile. But for the record my date: 10/31/07 and its a TAH.

I'm trying to think of things I can do to occupy my time once I'm up after a couple of weeks recovery - when do most women feel well enough to putter around the house?

Also, is it ok to ask these sorts of questions?

Your guidance is apreciated.

off to edit profile now....

Know exactly how you feel! I lurked around this web site for a week b/f I posted. Overwhelming here but not as overwhlemed as I feel facing the Big H and all my feminine parts. I printed out every article here so I felt 'armed' with info. I am now laughing inbetween crying fits. I have also gone from denial??? and not telling anyone about my upcoming surg to designing my Goodbye to Tampons and Midol Party. I do have kids but had a tubel. there is something MUCH more permanant about having it all out though. I mean what if (here I go again with the evil 'what if' thoughts) my best friend needed a uterus...no not een that. Its THE END but now a BEGINING. I will no longer have to worry about my horrible periods stopping me from pursuing my LIFE. But its still scarey. Wierd images of removing part of my soul come into play here. If it was my appendix causing the pain would I worry? No but its everything female. I have never been much of a girly person but found I am much more attached to my ovaries than I thought. Never thought about it really. Now its all I think about. But after posting--talking about it in cyber space-- it has been cathartic? I am mcuh more at peace.

all the stories--well yo ufind you are so not alone. just keep up surfing and hopefully you too will find the support to get thru this time!

sherry

	Quote:
Originally Posted by rockgal Bizet - Thank you for your thoughts and response. I could not get the link to work but will search the forum for the archives. I'll also try to find the place to edit my profile. But for the record my date: 10/31/07 and its a TAH. I'm trying to think of things I can do to occupy my time once I'm up after a couple of weeks recovery - when do most women feel well enough to putter around the house? Also, is it ok to ask these sorts of questions? Your guidance is apreciated. off to edit profile now....

I'm 5 weeks post-op and fully understand your fear. The waiting is the worse and very stressful. Take your time and read the pre-op and ask questions, there are no dumb questions here and there is great support. Be sure to read the post op boards also, the recovery reports are great for knowing what to expect after surgery. I learned more than I did anywhere, including from my Dr.

To edit your profile, click User CP (it's on the left) located on the purple bar close to the top of your screen, and you will see an area to the left on screen that says edit profile. You'll also see Signature. That is where you can put something that will show up under every post. I really like this feature since it makes it easier for me to gauge Date and type of surgery, to see where I am at compared to everyone else similar to mine. I hope that helps.