Scared to Death

I have many surguries before but for some reason this one is scaring me to death. I don't want more children and I cerently don't want any more pain. How Can I calm myself. I have a wonderful hubbie but am feeling his aggession along with my own. I am not one to lay around no matter how sick I am. Give me some ideas on how to stop my mind from racing and the panic I am feeling.

1. Breathe deeply, slowly and mindfully.

2. Have some chocolate.

3. Breathe some more.

4. Take a nice long, soothing shower with your favorite nice smelling shower goodies.

5. Light a candle or two, sit comfortably, breathe slowly and focuse on the candle until your mind slows down.

6. Try a meditation tape/CD.

7. Go see a movie in the nice air conditioned cinema. (a personal favorite lol)

If self help methods are not calming your anxiety down to doable levels, and especially if you aren't sleeping, please consider talking to your doc about a short course of medication for anxiety, sleep or both. Taking a little medication, as prescribed by the doc, leaves you in no danger of being a weakling or becoming an addict

Waiting is the hardest part by far IMO!

Hi Teesbear----we have the same castle date. I know what you mean about your mind racing. I'm having a hard time concentrating and focusing also. I think the waiting must be the hardest part. I keep trying to get things done, and just feel like I'm spinning my wheels.

I did take my youngest dd to a movie the other day. We saw "13 going on 30", and for those couple of hours, I didn't think of this surgery at all. That's the key, finding something else to occupy your mind. Oh, and by the way, the movie was really cute. You should go see it.

(((Teesbear and empressnormi)))

We all have the same castle day!!!

I think it's quite normal to be pretty stressed out and have racing thoughts. I feel the same way. I can't concentrate on anything, and my mind wanders all the time, always ending up concerned about some aspect of recovery.

There is something that helps me though....reading a good book. It enables me to concentrate on the characters for a while, instead of myself.

(((elizabethn))) had some wonderful suggestions....especially the EAT SOME CHOCOLATE part! And I do agree that if you aren't sleeping properly it would be wise to ask your doc for some anti-anxiety meds just to get you through the next few weeks. You need your sleep and all your strength for your recovery.

and if all else fails....keep posting here, because we are going through the same thing together. If you need to vent, or just a shoulder to cry on....we are here.

Tam

Teesbear - You have gotten incredible advice from your Hystersisters (I loved Elizabethn's list!!). Try to surround yourself with understanding friends and family and stay as busy as possible. I think it's natural to be a little obsessed with an upcoming major surgery but you do need to sleep and if you get too depressed, calling your Dr is a great idea. Good luck to you and I wish you the best.

Diana

Hi girls,

I am also going to the castle on June 14th, nervous and finding it difficult to concentrate. I have been:

working
eating lots of chocolate
spending too much time on the internet
knitting ( don't normally knit to have to concentrate hard)
cleaning (unusual for me, hubby very happy)
gardening
drinking wine with friends

Try to keep busy and do all the things you like best.

Hugs xxxx

TAH and poss ovaries, fibroid family 14 weeks size (yuk)

I had a "Farewell to my Uterus" party that helped distract me.
All's i can really say i empathize, because i was scared poopy-less too!!! i mean totally freaking out.

then i had to have ANOTHER surgery.

The anxiety is "normal" when facing surgery, evidently. do know that you will be in excellent hands with your dr and Anesthesiologists, and they do do everything possible that your operation goes well.

wishing you a speedy recovery

Fluffy Lemur