Countdown to Surgery :(

[Girlygirl1980s]

As some of you may know, I am scheduled to have surgery on Thursday, May 4. I am having a dermoid cyst removed from my left ovary, and possibly the ovary, too. I need some words of encouragement. Obviously I am terrified I will be sick after surgery. I once worked as a candy striper, and that did me in! That was over 20 years ago, and I'm sure with all the new antiemetics, I should be fine. I've also opted for spinal instead of general, hoping that will make me less nauseous. I'm so afraid I will chicken out, but I've told so many people, I would be embarrassed. [img]smileys/smilies_09.gif[/img] Any words of encouragement or stories you can share about your experiences with surgery would be greatly appreciated!

[babygap5]

Hey honey, I wish you luck with your surgery. Just tell them that you want something to prevent n* & v* and I'm sure they will oblige. I've had several surgical procedures and never once got sick. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You will be just fine.

[Girlygirl1980s]

Thank you for your encouragement. I've obviously been praying a lot about this, and on one of my calendars it says that May 4 is National Day of Prayer. That gave me some extra encouragement. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[babygap5]

Just go into it having positive thoughts. Think of something happy and just do your best to relax. Let us know how it goes for you. Good luck!!

[curly wurly]

Good luck. I hope everything goes well for you.

[tiffanator]

GOOD LUCK! You'll be fine though. Just be upfront with the nurses that are taking care of you pre and post op. They will give you plenty of anti-emetics and can prescribe you more for when you go home. They don't want you sick anymore than you want to be sick.

[kate1966]

Good luck with your surgery.....i know it's scary but you will be fine...i had to have a colonoscopy done in Jan..and i was terrified to death i would be sick..but they did put anti emetics in my iv and i never felt anything...no nausea or v or anythin. Just tell them your fears and they will give you something....i hope everything goes well for you.

[mjewell]

You will be great, I;m sure of it! We always worry about things way more than we need to. Hopefully someone will be around to wait on you hand and foot when you get home [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[Girlygirl1980s]

Thanks everybody. I'll try to stop obsessing now! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[mitch04133]

Dont worry, its really not that big of deal!!! I am having my 5th surgery tomorrow, and I am not even really all that nervous, I don't even think about the getting sick part now cause I've been through it so much. It's just the stress leading up to it, then boom its over. Good luck, you'll be fine!

[Girlygirl1980s]

Mitch,


I just saw your post about having surgery tomorrow. Good luck!

[u4ia]

Hey there, dont worry about it, i went for my first sugery a few years ago and i was terrified i would feel icky, i obsessed about it, but after i woke up, the meds they had me on, i was one grumpy girl, i didnt feel ill in "that" way at all. i felt sore, tired, and again,,, grumpy. i told the anestheseologist (cant spell) to give me gravol, because i am prone to nausea, but i felt fine, even after i came home.


My mom had heart surgery, two years ago, and she did not feel icky either, more tired and grumpy. I wouldnt worry about it, focus on your healing and taking care of yourself after your surgery!


I wish you all the best.

[surfjunkie]

I have had several surgeries and I just tell anyone who will listen (nurses,
docs, anesthesiologists, etc.) that I couldn't handle being sick afterwards.
I have NEVER had a problem Best of luck....I will keep you in my prayers.
I hope that all goes well.

[Galadriel]

Definately ask for anti emetics just for your peace of mind. Don't be embarassed or afraid to be up front about that. When I had surgery last year I told the anesthesiologist and man when I woke up I was flying high! I felt wonderful (heh till after the euphoric feeling wore off...) but chances are you will be just fine. They can put some really great stuff into your IV. [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[kutekim1217]

A spinal is better. You should do fine. Kim

[Girlygirl1980s]

I have told my doctor and anesthesiologist already about my phobia, but they have said that even with a combination of antiemetics, there is no guarantee I won't feel or be sick [img]smileys/smilies_03.gif[/img]

[marby]

Half -


I think the docs need to say those sorts of things to cover themselves. I had the same surgery in March and no n* or v* at all. They started putting anti-emetics into my IV before the surgery and all was well. Be sure to let the nurses know - you'll have more contact with them than your doctor.


Best of luck with the cyst - hope they can save the ovary.


Marby

[Girlygirl1980s]

Marby,


Did you have a laparotomy or laparoscopy? I have to have a laparotomy and stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days.

[ontariogirl]

You will be fine. When I had my laparoscopy and then my cone biopsy because of cervical cancer they gave me a sedative in my IV, it calmed me down and my stomach. I have had 7 surgerys and not once was I sick or even felt sick. Follow the instructions of not eating or drinking before your time of surgery. I didn't eat or drink 12 hours before hand.

[mitch04133]

I am home from my surgery, and no nausea!! When they did the reconstructing of my kidney, I had it done laparotomy and I had no v*, and a little nausea. I was out for almost 8hrs though, there were complications durning my surgery and so I felt a little sick when I woke but I never v*. So really don't worry about it. And plus, if you do end up feeling sick, you will be so out of it it won't really matter!! Good luck I'll be think of you.


Michele

[Girlygirl1980s]

Thanks Michele. Glad you're home and doing well!

[mitch04133]

So how nervous are you today?

[Girlygirl1980s]

I almost chickened out! But I e-mailed the anesthesiologist, and he reassurred me. Thanks for thinking of me. How are you today?

[wargerbil]

I've been phobic for as long as I can remember (I'm 26 now). This
winter, on a 6 hr road trip to a family function with my boyfriend, my
appendix burst I was FREAKING OUT about having to go to the
hospital (because there are sick people there), and afraid it WAS my
appendix (because everyone I've known with appendicitis has had severe
v*). The first thing I insisted on was anti-emetics. I told
my bf about my phobia (And I'd never told ANYONE IRL before) and he
made sure the docs kept the meds coming. I freaked out AGAIN when
I found out it was my appendix and I needed surgery, and I made sure
they kept my anti-emetics pumping as soon as I woke up from Sx (I
didn't ask for pain meds, just n* meds!!), and I made them give me an
injection as well every time I got pain meds cause they made me feel
icky too. I'm proud to say I made it through 2 surgeries and 9
days of hospitalization, and a burst appendix that had been leaking for
weeks and had turned GANGRENOUS without v* once.

Phew.

Just KEEP TELLING THE DOCTORS what you need, they'll get it for
you. I was given up to 3 different anti-emets at the same time,
cause I'm a pushy about it :P But hey! Whatever works, y'know? If
I got through this, anyone can!!

[Girlygirl1980s]

Wargerbil,


Wow! You have been through a lot. I have already told my surgeon and my anesthesiologist about my phobia. My anesthesiologist has been great, answering all my e-mails. He understands my fear, so I will be getting anti-emetics.

[kate1966]

Good luck on your surgery Half......hope all goes well for you. I will say a prayer for you tonight...let us know how it goes!!

[mitch04133]

I am doing fine...a little tired and sore today, since all the anestehsia wore off I am feeling alot less invinsable. Just remember, you will be fine!!! You will not get sick, almost no one gets sick nowadays. And make sure you take the pain meds they offer you, When I had all that reconstuctive work on my kidney last time and they cut me open all the way down my stomach I was stubborn in saying I didn't want any pain meds cause I was scared of being sick, hen one day I took them and I was fine and felt way better!! Don't be scared, be proud that you are stong enough to handle this! Good luck will be thinking of you.


Michele

[laura78]

One thing to remember, when you get home go lay down and don't move your head too much. Out of over ten surgeries, that is the only thing that makes me feel bad. Good Luck!! They might pump you up with gas so it might make you feel bloated.