I really HOPE waiting is the worst part...

This all kind of really hit home yesterday when I went for my Pre-op. I have known about this since the beginning of September but just didn't think about it since the surgery seemed so far way (Oct 28)

Then yesterday after being poked and prodded and stuck with needles at my "Pre Op" (Oh, I have only been having a period since May 30, so taking FIVE more vials of blood aren't going to make a difference to my poor white anemic body) I think that is when it hit me that I am actually going through with this.

When they asked me what medications I was on, I told her that since September I have been taking high blood pressure medicine and a tranquilizer. (gee--could there be a connection there that that is when I found out about the impending hysterectomy??) I also have been taking Darvocet because of terrible pain in my right hip... which I have read on this board is a pretty common thing with fibroids. I had a root canal last month and they gave me Percodan, so I told her about that. This nurse probably thought she was dealing with a stone-cold JUNKIE...but you know what she said? "well just don't take any ASPIRIN this week before your surgery". ASPIRIN!!??

They already gave me my hospital "bracelet" I will wear when I check in next Monday and they warned me if I lose it they will have to do all my pre-op testing all over again. Talk about pressure. I am not a real organized person. I wish the doctor could just casually stop at my house, do my surgery and then go home.

Let me tell you, I was a mess beforehand, and once it was over I was hugely relieved. I was semi-awake, my choice, for surgery, and as soon as MD said, "OK, we've stitched you up," the relief just flooded through me. There have been some rough spots and I am still on major pain meds, but really, truly, nothing has been as bad as the waiting was. I'm on the healing side of the experience now. Hang in there, trust, do what you can and get enough rest.

Of course, everyone is different, but I am almost a week post-op and I can't believe the difference. I have NO pelvic pain, NO irritable bowel syndrome problems, and NO feeling of weakness from my anemia.

I can't believe how horrible I felt before now that I feel so much better. I'm dealing with night sweats and other stuff from getting rid of my ovaries, but man, the turnaround for me has been 100 percent. I can't WAIT to get on with my life! I just have to get well first!

GOOD LUCK!

Hi Mudbugs,

Yes - the waiting really is the hardest part of all of this, for most of us.

I love your great sense of humor (just read your reply to the cleaning thread) Maybe you could just wear your bracelet to work and tell them it's the new fashion?

The reason you were told not to take any aspirin in the week before surgery is because it's a blood thinner, and they want your blood to be able to clot.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery.

's

Karen

Sheltie, whaddya mean you were "semi-awake" during your hysterectomy? Epidural and no sedation? Did you really know what was going on? Hear what they were saying, etc?

THAT is the way I would prefer it. My biggest fear of any surgery or sedation is NOT knowing what is going on!

Hi Bugs,
I was so nervous the last couple days before surgery I could hardly breathe. Here's what worked for me...I was on this website almost 24 hours a day, reading, learning and laughing. The next thing I did was take the day off before my surgery from work...I was a basket case any way so what's the harm? My DH made my favorite dinner the night before and I went to bed at a reasonably decent hour. When I woke up the next morning I was all packed and only had to get dressed and go (I showered the night before). I amazed myself at how calm I was...I took one thing at a time...breathed deep when they took blood (I hate that), changed into my "attractive, backless hospital lingerie", crawled up on the pre-op gurney, breathed deep again when a VERY good put in the IV on the 1st attempt. Then, after talking to the that same wonderful nurse gave me "something" to take the edge off. I smiled and relaxed as I went off to dreamland. When I woke in my hospital room bed I was ouchy but that's why they make the "nurse call button". Every time I hurt I buzzed and they gave me great drugs. I slept through almost the entire remainder of the day and night. My motto was - Enjoy the sleep! You WILL make it through the rest.

Yeah, well, my last surgery was in 1978. Back then you were hospitalized at least a day before surgery. I know what a basket case and witch I was the night before. "Fired" one resident and told them I didn't want to ever see the %^&*% again! I didn't.

Last "sedation/anesthesia" was scheduled for a colonoscopy. Had I not had a Dr appt the morning of the scope I doubt I would have made it to the hospital for the scope at all. As it was, when I got off the elevator on the "scope" floor I could hardly walk, was shaking like a leaf, gasping for breath, rattled beyond belief with the disposition of a disturbed rattlesnake. After they drew blood I started for the elevator to get the devil out of there! When they sent the anesthesiologist in I really freaked out and ended up telling him to get lost. It was only at that point that my gastro finally agreed to do the scope w/o sedation or anesthesia and we agree to just some Demerol which I know I can tolerate and still retain my awareness and memory. Scope went fine!!! I was embarrassed about my behavior after I calmed down but ..... I almost didn't keep my follow up appt w/my gastro I was so ashamed of my behavior. But, God bless her, she now agrees it is better to do my scopes w/o sedation or anesthesia. In fact, she just had both the upper and lower scopes herself w/o sedation and she agrees with me. If patient doesn't want sedation, there's no reason not to do them w/o sedation.

I just don't know if I can get myself to the hospital the morning of surgery and I've told my doctors that. I'm not sure that anything but a sledge hammer and a bottle of tranquilizers the night before plus a herd of draft horses can get me to the hospital the morning of. It is going to be quite a challenge! Here you don't even see or talk to the anesthesiologist until "just" prior to surgery the day of. You don't even have any way of knowing who the anesthesiologist will be. Unless my doctor or surgeon can pull some strings.