okay - def freaking now. just about SURGERY tho

So... freaking out about surgery.
not about waking up with a bag (cant wait to meet Beefers! My adorable and well behaved stoma! Haha)

But the surgery itself. Going into it... IV of course cuz im afraid of needles, afraid of epidural being put in while im awake?
Im afraid of the pain when I wake up. Afraid I will hurt so much because I have been on pain meds for so long waiting for surgery.

Im afraid of the drains and the catheter and having to "try" to walk and sit.

Im just generally freaking out and very anxious about having major surgery.

Any tips to chill me out???
Thanks <3

I think everything you described is normal "freaking out". My surgery was an emergency so I didn't have time to freak out but my upcoming surgery will be different....I will be freaking out just like you. I have been seeing an energy healer that has helped me to focus on the good and the positive.

A spa day sounds like a great idea!

Just keep focusing on the fact that your life isn't going to revolve around being diseased anymore. You're not going to have any accidents throughout the day. you're not going to make any messes in your husbands car. you're going to be able to spend an entire day out in the world doing pretty much whatever you want for as many hours as you want. No more steroids, no more diapers (once the post op discharge gets under control), no more pain.

this sounds a little off, but I found in the week prior to surgery I just wanted to be alone. No one, NO ONE can understand how you're feeling. So for me, it was easier to be by myself- read, hang with the cats, obviously hang out wiht my husband & daughter, but no real social events. This week will go by faster than you think, just hang in there! Is "Beefers" what you plan to call your stoma? Ha!!!!

I thought I was ready for my surgery- it was not my first operation and definitely not my most difficult/complicated (thanks pancreas tumor!) But when I was in the bed and talking to anesthesia, I began to cry because I was scared. My surgeon- who I adore- came over and we discussed the epidural. She said we could avoid it if I wanted- but didn't. The epidural from my pancreas op was a lifesaver. So the ansthesiologist said he would give me something to help me relax- probably Versed as mentioned before I was wheeled in. He gave it to me and I felt better!!

I have had two epidurals in my life and this is literally all I remember for both- they will ask you to transfer to the operating table and swing your legs over so you are sitting on the side of the table. They may give you a pilow to put in your lap. A nurse will come face to face with you and have you lean on him/her like you're going to give a hug. Your back will be exposed at that point and they will insert the catheter. After leaning on a very nice smelling nurse, I have no memory of anything until after waking up. There is NO memory of the pain as I was already relaxed and halfway to dreamland from the Versed. DO NOT WORRY!! You will be ok and Beefers- hahaaa!!- will be waiting for you on the other side.

Don't be afraid to use any pain pump they give you after you wake up as long as you need it. You can't heal if you're in pain. Also, it's wacky to walk with a catheter in, but it probably won't be for long and it's bearable. Good luck!! We'll be thinking about you and sending good vibes your way.

I had been in the hospital for four week a before my scheduled surgery so I couldn't wait for the surgery so I could go home to my husband and three children!

When I had my surgery, a nurse explained everything the night before. Then a few minutes before I was taken to the operating room, they gave me a shot that totally relaxed me. I remember being wheeled into the operating room and seeing the lights and that was it! I was out like a light. I have no idea what they did! So don't worry about that.

When I woke up in recovery, they handed me a button that I could push when I was having pain. It would allow a certain amount of morphine into my system. They had it regulated so even if I pushed the button over and over again, no extra morphine would come out. It really kept the pain under control and I was sitting up in bed about 12 hours after they wheeled me into the operating room. I called my husband, Mom, and best friend and they were so surprised to hear from me.

The only thing that caused me a lot of pain was the fact I had to also had my rectum removed. It was so tender to sit but that got better daily. Thank goodness for pillows and those donuts you sit on.

They won't start giving you anything by mouth until they hear bowel sounds. My gastroenterologist gave me a great tip. He said to think about food and that gets the system moving sooner. So I took cooking magazines with me to the hospital and was looking at all the food and recipes I would be able to eat now...things like salad! Well, within three days I was started on Jello. Unfortunately, it was like rubber. It could have been used as a trampoline. LOL The following day I was started on soft foods and the day after that I was started on the regular diet.

Overall. I don't regret this surgery. As I said in another thread, I've had it nearly 25 years and it really did give me my life back. I will be praying that you do well with your surgery, too. I hope this info helps calm you down.

Sherrine

     ArPar sums it up.  I had my operation four years ago and compared to the horror of my hospitalization two years prior, it was a snap. 

     I suffered with ulcerative proctitis for ten years before being hospitalized for the second time (first time was in 1998 when diagnosed) in 2008.  I honestly thought they were going to take me out of there in a pine box.  My blood pressure was sky high, with readings of 216/110, and even on three different blood pressure meds, they couldn't get it to come down.  I was bleeding profusely from my rectum and I had prednisone induced diabetes.  Long story short, after a ten day hospital stay I was released feeling sicker than when I went in.  I insisted my husband and I buy a cemetery plot as to not burden our daughters because I honestly thought I was going to die.  All my GI doctor did was pound my ear about going on Remicade.  I was reluctant because back in the 60's I had a positive TBtest.  After testing negative this time, I agreed to the Remicade...it failed after my third infusion.  Then I listened to my doctor again and tried Humira...no change.  So, I looked online for a colorectal surgeon since my GI doctor refused to send me to one.  All I was certain of was that I wanted my operation performed in Philly and not here in south Jersey.  By the time I found my surgeon, I was not a candidate for j-pouch, but did I care?  Not one iota.  Had my surgery June 28, 2010 and never looked back.

      Sure I had some post surgical blips, but NOTHING like the ordeal I went through in 2008!  I am almost 68 yrs old and only take one pill a day compared to the 17 - 25 pills daily I took prior to surgery.  I live life to the fullest, travel with my husband, enjoy my family and friends and looking forward to my 50 yr high school reunion on August 1st.  None of these things would have come to pass if I hadn't gone through surgery.

     God bless....sure, it is scary!  What surgery isn't?  But, keep in mind, this too shall pass and you will feel sooooo much better.

     Katie... You go girl!!!

It's so normal to be freaked out! A few days before surgery I went into a total meltdown because I was afraid that I would never be able to do a cart wheel, or that if my husband ever cheated on me and I needed to have a revenge affair I wouldn't be able to because of the bag. So stupid!
Then as they were wheeling me in, I already had some valium or something, I decided that it was an operating room like on that episode of Seinfeld and asked the surgeon about it. The whole room laughed.
I wasn't worried about the pain or whether I was going to regret the surgery. Just those dumb things.