Fears about surgery making it hard to concentrate

Hi I am new here. It is almost 2a.m. and I am wide awake and more terrified than I have ever been and stumbled upon this website. I read and read to see if anyone had the same or similar experience to the one I had. In 1995, I had an ectopic pregnancy and had to have emergency surgery with a doctor who was unknown to me along with his team. I asked to be taken to a civilian hospital for a second opinion but was told there was no time as I had begun to drift in and out of consciousness due to massive blood loss. Anyway, upon waking up from the surgery (which I didn't expect to going in) I opened my eyes and and thought I was in heaven because I was wrapped in all this oversized stuff (kinda like being in a cocoon) and I tried to speak only to realize I couldnt because I didnt know they had put a tube down my throat. I later was told that my body temperature was at a dangerously low level coming out of the surgery and they were unable to get it back to anywhere near 98.6 before moving me out of recovery. I also received a blood transfusion (something else I didn't know about). This was very disturbing because no one warned me that any of this was ever a possibility and now as a result I can't shake this bad feeling prior to this procedure. My doctor wanted to do it in August and I flatly said "no" and have been on a constant supply of Lortab and Vicoden and now my body seems to have become immune to these pain killers at these doses and the pain affecting my school work and my job. I agreed to the surgery on Monday due to unbearable pain and was sent home with more Lortab with 3 refills to get me by till my surgery date.

I said all that to say I am scared to death and I am trying to complete final projects, final papers and final exams before the surgery so I can get my degrees in December but I can no longer concentrate.......what am I to do....any suggestions?

So exactly what surgery are you now going to be having? My hubby has the same blood type as me, so he's going to donate 2 liters of blood for me a week before my surgery. So that's something you could get done in advance, now that you know it can happen. Sorry to hear you're having to deal w/this during your school finals! That's horrible. Best to get it done & overwith because the drugs you're taking are addictive and your body is getting used to the dosage you've been taking, so you'll need to keep upping the dosage to get relief. One thing that I'm doing is making a list of all my questions and I have an appt next week w/my surgeon. I want to know every detail and what all I can expect, so no surprises. If your Dr won't do that for you...you might want to think about getting a
2nd opinion. Pray and have Faith...you will get through this!

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Originally Posted by 2Cute4U Hi I am new here. It is almost 2a.m. and I am wide awake and more terrified than I have ever been and stumbled upon this website. I read and read to see if anyone had the same or similar experience to the one I had. In 1995, I had an ectopic pregnancy and had to have emergency surgery with a doctor who was unknown to me along with his team. I asked to be taken to a civilian hospital for a second opinion but was told there was no time as I had begun to drift in and out of consciousness due to massive blood loss. Anyway, upon waking up from the surgery (which I didn't expect to going in) I opened my eyes and and thought I was in heaven because I was wrapped in all this oversized stuff (kinda like being in a cocoon) and I tried to speak only to realize I couldnt because I didnt know they had put a tube down my throat. I later was told that my body temperature was at a dangerously low level coming out of the surgery and they were unable to get it back to anywhere near 98.6 before moving me out of recovery. I also received a blood transfusion (something else I didn't know about). This was very disturbing because no one warned me that any of this was ever a possibility and now as a result I can't shake this bad feeling prior to this procedure. My doctor wanted to do it in August and I flatly said "no" and have been on a constant supply of Lortab and Vicoden and now my body seems to have become immune to these pain killers at these doses and the pain affecting my school work and my job. I agreed to the surgery on Monday due to unbearable pain and was sent home with more Lortab with 3 refills to get me by till my surgery date. I said all that to say I am scared to death and I am trying to complete final projects, final papers and final exams before the surgery so I can get my degrees in December but I can no longer concentrate.......what am I to do....any suggestions?

My guess is that because you were so sick when you went in for the ectopic that is why you had those problems post surgery. This time it is elective and your body is not suffering from severe blood loss so your body will react differently. We have confidence that you will be ok during and after surgery. Let us know how it goes.

I totally understand what you are going thru with the lack of concentration. I'm a full time student and over the last few weeks I have fallen so far behind in my assignments I'm thinking of dropping for now. I've only got 4 weeks left this semister but between stressing over the surgery, hot flashes, being foggy-headed from pain pills, and just being totally depressed I have to force myself to concentrate. I'm taking some really hard classes too. I was doing great up until the beginning of this month when the seriousness of my health took a nose dive. I just want this all to be over so I can get back to life. I have fibroids and a missing left ovary. Most days it's all I can do to get my tired butt out of bed.

In all honesty I would be scared to, but your situation is different now so like the previous post said your body had more issues because of the blood loss and thr trauma from the whole situation. I know for me talking with my doctor , family and friends(especially here) has made me feel more comfortable with my decision. I am a stay at home mom and I lose my concentration all the time because of this. I think it is just part of the process of going thorugh surgery. We are all here for you. Try writing a journal, and write down your questions as you think of them so you can ask your doctor. I know what you mean about being in so much pain and on meds all the time that alone will make it hard to concentrate. Soon this will all be behind you. Try and think of postitve things about the surgery like how your life being pain free will be afterwards!!

You don't say what procedure you're considering, but really, a planned surgery is nothing like an extreme and unanticipated health crises such as an ectopic pregnancy -- or at least, it shouldn't be! Whatever procedure you're planning, there's bound to be someone (probably several someones) here who's been through it and can give you an idea of what to expect -- and of course your surgeon should do the same.

I was terrified of my situation and for about 2 weeks before, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't do anything but watch TV, make dinner, and go pick up my daughter from school. Anything else was just too much emotionally. I was a WRECK, I won't lie.

I was called "super-high risk" by my doctors, so I understand your fears. Mine feared anemia, blood loss (I've had transfusions before), and my weight was a major issue with anesthesia.

I'm here to tell you to let your dr. know your fears. They should cover all bases with you and should let you know how they handle situations. Always let them know what happened previously and even before surgery, the anesthesiologist should ask you about previous procedures, and your concerns.

It's normal to be nervous, to not be able to concentrate, and to want to run and never do the procedure. I'm actually kicking myself for not doing it sooner and just because things went wrong one time doesn't mean they will again. I had to remind myself of that a lot.

Hi 2Cute4U - it sounds like you have alot on your shoulders right now, and I can sure see why it's been so hard for you to concentrate.

It might (hopefully) help to try to identify the things that are in your control, and try to focus all your energy on those things. You CAN control how much you understand about the procedure you are having, and why that is recommended for you, by asking lots of questions. You CAN control (hard as it is) how often you stop yourself from thinking scary thoughts, and how often you force yourself to focus on positive thoughts like how much healthier you will feel after surgery/recovery. You CAN control how kind you are to yourself.

If it helps, continue to write to us about the specific fears you are having each day. Sometimes just writing it down and knowing someone is listening can make the burden seem lighter...and then you can get back to your assignments and exams again.

Waiting is difficult at the best of times, and you have some previous experience that is making it so much harder for you! The ladies here have given you some good feedback. Knowledge is power, as you know, so please do get your questions answered, in amongst those other large tasks you are working through. Hang in there, because before you know it you'll be in post-op thinking "wow, I DID IT!".

2Cute4U, hang in there. This is a great place to get answers and support. Take it one day at a time or one hour at at time if needed. Get as much information as you can for your particular procedure, but don't cross over the line into information overload. You need have other things to think on to give yourself a break. Read a funny book or a trashy romance novel if that is your thing, or just sit outside and listen to nature for a few minutes. Be with friends and laugh some. Be good to yourself, whatever form that takes.