Prayer Request: Going in for surgery - UPDATE, post #50

[bethshaya]

I need to go in on Friday for major surgery. I've never had major surgery before and a bit scared about it, especially the general anesthesia part. I've got a high tolerance for pain, so recovery doesn't bother me much.

I'll be in the hospital for about 4-5 days and have six weeks of recovery. Wont be able to lift or do much, so DH and DS are stepping up to keep the house and cook [It pays to have a chef for a son]

My mother is wonderful and going to care for me the first week home as her house is on one level and I won't have to do stairs. Plus, you can never beat a mother's pampering when you are sick no matter how old you are.

Please say a prayer that God will sustain me and remove my jitters, and for my Mother, hubby and son as they have to care for me while I'm out.

We're trying to have a baby, and this surgery will correct some things and hopefully by next year we will be expecting.

[Jonas Parker]

Prayers for you and your family!

[Double_A]

I'll be praying for you.

[coloradohermit]

Adding prayers that God guide the surgeon's hand and that you heal and recover quickly.

[Moggy]

Prayers sent for you and your family, Bethshaya, for a Most Benevolent Outcome for all of you.

[JPD]

Follow their directions about eating and drinking prior to surgery and you should have no problem. I have had five surgeries in the last two years with general anesthesia and there is nothing to be afraid of-if you have a good anesthetist. Prayers for you.

[duchess47]

Praying now for you and your doctors and your family.

[annieosage]

Definitely praying for your surgery and the outcome you want next year!

[MtnGal]

Lifting you in prayer with a blessed outcome.

[pops88]

Prayers.

[TorahTips]

I need to go in on Friday for major surgery. I've never had major surgery before and a bit scared about it, especially the general anesthesia part. I've got a high tolerance for pain, so recovery doesn't bother me much.

I'll be in the hospital for about 4-5 days and have six weeks of recovery. Wont be able to lift or do much, so DH and DS are stepping up to keep the house and cook [It pays to have a chef for a son]

My mother is wonderful and going to care for me the first week home as her house is on one level and I won't have to do stairs. Plus, you can never beat a mother's pampering when you are sick no matter how old you are.

Please say a prayer that God will sustain me and remove my jitters, and for my Mother, hubby and son as they have to care for me while I'm out.

We're trying to have a baby, and this surgery will correct some things and hopefully by next year we will be expecting.

I will pray.

Moreover, I have had ten major surgeries -- three of them dire emergencies, one that was 10 hours and life-threatening. I can assure you that this is just as easy as going to sleep. Let the doctors do what they do best. The possibilities of something really bad happening from anesthesia is so minimal. It might seem so silly, but just relax. These people do this all day long. They know very well when someone is not tolerating the anesthesia.

Let them do their thing. Relax. The biggest physical pain prior to surgery will be getting the IV -- no problem. When they "do their thing" you will just be gone. Instantly. Then, you will wake up. Just like going to bed. If you are really having a problem with anxiety ask them to deal with it. Some doctors will give you something and others won't.

Usually now you won't have a lot of problems with sickness after the surgery. That used to be a really problem. They solve that now with drugs that they give you during the process. Don't be shocked if you wake up with a tube out of your nose. That's actually a good thing. It prevents you from throwing up. They pull that out in a day or so and there is absolutely no pain when it comes out. It just feels strange.

This is relatively a painless process -- even afterward they will probably have you hooked up to morphine -- USE IT. It really helps. They will get you out of bed in 24 hours and that doesn't feel to good, but it's a sign of progress and you feel really good about it. Well-trained nurses are your best friend.

One final thing: Ask for what you need. If you are in pain tell them to deal with it. You should not have a lot of pain. If you don't like what they feeding you, tell them to change it. You are in control as the patient and you should have what you need to recover. Make them pamper you.

Relax. You will do just fine. Really, it is no big deal in all reality. My first time I thought it was the end of the world. It's not.

[Reborn]

Praying for you too.

[sojourner for Truth]

Praying for peace, comfort and rest in Him.

[Satanta]

As per the others, I've had a few majors as well.

One thing not mentioned and this is not to scare you and nothing to fear-depending on the surg you might come out with your arms tied to the bed and the breathing tube still in.

It is uncomfortable but not major so do not panic-the reasons are so you will not chooke to death while asleep and the wrists are tied so you do not attmept to tear the tube out-that *would* hurt.

They will be monitoring you so just look around and try to wink at them so they know you are concious.

When I came out of the transpplant I had that. I know about the tubes from my time in veterinary work but when I tried to get the attention of my friend he called the nurse who promptly came in and gave me more morphine

Using telepathy does not work apparently.

So, if that is the case-do not panic, just blink and look around and wink at the nurses so they know you are mentally awake.

Also-avoid the Jello, that is some nasty stuff [[in the hospital]] and about one molecule different than a steering wheel cover.

If you have one take a laptop or a iPod, droid or whatever-hospital TV sucks.

More advice-try to learn to sleep with the light on that is over and behind your bed. Keeps the dumbasses from coming in and flipping the overheads on for the most part and THAT will allow you to rest otherwise it's "BRIGHT LIGHTS on every three to four hours!" time.

Once you can eat you might have the family bring you some snacky fods unless you are particularly fond of three or four Graham crackers and a peanut butter cup and whatever you like to drink-sodas at hospitals are invariably expensive and they often have the exact opposite of what you like. The water can be nasty too.

The Bowel Movement Question.

You are going to hear it A LOT. I got a room at a hallway intersection once so had the nurses station, the place where the visitors congregated as well as the area where other patients tended to wander to and hang out right outside my door.

The nurse comes in and goes "SO MR. SO-AND-SO! Have you had your BOWEL movement?"

Like, 'Sucka WHAT????"

I finally learned if I answer as loud as possible in slow, well-pronounciated words that they will have the courtesy of closing the door before asking me those crappy questions...

WHY YES!

I.

DID.

HAVE.

A

BOW

WELL

MOVEMENT

TODAY!

LET'S TELL THE UNIVERSE!

Anyway-after my own experience with surgs and others and having done a few thousand animals [[which is MUCH more basic and less picky]] I can say you don't have any worries.

Relax and enjoy the ride.

[mzkitty]

Ditto to all of the above, Bethshaya, you'll do just fine.

[georgia101]

Adding my prayers with all the others.

[Chair Warmer]

I was also very scared before I had my first surgery a couple months ago. A family member told to to tell the anesthesiologist to please give you something that helps you not be nauseas from it, because it makes my family members sick. So I told him and he said ok, he'd take care of it. So you can request something for nausea, which I would recommend.

And I did get nauseas a little while after surgery, and vomited a couple times during the ride home but it wasn't painful at all (usually it is painful for me) and I took a bag from the hospital with me in case that happened, for sanitation and easy disposal. Once I got home I was just fine and the nausea went away.

There was really nothing to worry about at all. Going under was so easy and painless.
If I ever need surgery again, I won't be afraid of anesthesia at all next time.

I'll keep you in my prayers too.

[TorahTips]

OMG. I forgot about the JELLO. Don't eat it. Don't touch it. That is some really discussing stuff. It made me sick. Take our word for it. Don't even try it. I have no idea what it really is.

[Willow]

Prayers for the surgery and also that it solves your problems. As for the anesthesia....I've had a couple major surgeries and the anesthesia was a piece of cake. I don't blame you for worrying but you will do just fine.

Willow

[diamonds]

Saying prayers...

[bluemoon]

Prayers on the way.
Bluemoon

[shortstop]

praying for you and your family! May the Lord grant healing and peace during this time.

[Dennis Olson]

Prayers for you and your family.. In 2002, I went under the knife for gastric bypass. Not fun, and really scary. May God comfort you and bring you through unscathed.

[Leigh19717]

prayers for you and family! Please let us know once you can. I will be praying for calmness and quick recovery!

[Satanta]

OMG. I forgot about the JELLO. Don't eat it. Don't touch it. That is some really discussing stuff. It made me sick. Take our word for it. Don't even try it. I have no idea what it really is.

Let me reinterate:

DO NOT EAT THE JELLO-ish STUFF!!!!!

It's how the nurses get back at you for having to be nice.

It's how they mess with you.

It's like [from experience] being the smallest guy on the football team and given the position of 'Center' [That's the guy who hikes the ball then has to stop the *biggest* players on the other team from getting at our hero the Quarterback]

That would be the same as if the guy driving the tank at Tianamen Square let his foot slip off the brake.

Don't DO it!

[Pudding Hill Farm]

Praying...

[LeafyForest]

Adding my prayers for you.

[Garryowen]

Prayers here for your safe surgery and full and rapid recovery. Also, that you will be a good patient for your family.

blessings,

Garryowen

[Maranatha]

Prayers for your mental well being this week before surgery and that you will have a successful surgery, and a full uncomplicated recovery. Lord, watch over her.

MARANATHA!

[PilotFighter]

Prayers for you. Sure you'll do fine. Hopefully they aren't amputating your leg below the knee, like they did to me. Your going to love the Morphine, and man how goooooood your gonna feel when they run a shot of Demerol through that IV. Warning! The Morphine is gonna make your butt itch. Just be thankful your not in the hospital I was here in Mobile. The jello was the best part of the dinner. No matter what you had to eat here, you could bet they had covered it in a gallon of gravy.

[bev]

Praying that all goes well, you have a quick recovery and the child you hope for very soon!

[Cardinal]

Prayers going up bethshaya. Hope all goes as planned for you.

[bethshaya]

LOL, thanks guys. I'm sitting here laughing over Jello. I promise, I will not eat the jello. I'm not sure what I am so afraid of. I think it is because I am an "in control" person and I will be giving over all control to someone else. I'll make sure to ask for what I need and not suffer in silence. I'll let them know ahead of time that I am nervous and that I dont want to get sick, so they can give me something ahead of time.

I've been spending time on a website for other women who have what I have to get their advice, so I am well prepared for what is to come, using all their tips and tricks.

And I have my "Princess Wand" next to my nightstand....you know, the pink glittery one that has the bell on it...ready to summon my Prince to wait on me. And I'm prepared to use it often ...pray for him...he's afraid, very afraid.

No really, he's trying hard and has helped me clean the whole house this weekend, including the dust bunnies under the bed so they don't attack during the night and drive me crazy because I can't get at them for a few weeks. And he's such a wonderful hubby that he also volunteered to be my "honorary Avon Lady" to deliver orders to my customers while I am out. Poor guy is never gonna live that one down..but he said "for better or worse", he just didn't think it worse would come so soon. . At least Mom will ring the doorbell, he'll just drive her around for me.

[jordansgrandma]

Prayers said. May your surgery go well and may you be
blessed with children in the future.

[Faith]

Prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery..

[plantman]

Prayers said, wishing you the best outcome and quick healing.

[Lone Wolf]

Think Positive!

You will have no trouble. God is in charge. Your baby will be fine!

Get back on the board just before going in and up-date us

Prayers

lw

[coloradohermit]

I think it is because I am an "in control" person and I will be giving over all control to someone else. I've been spending time on a website for other women who have what I have to get their advice, so I am well prepared for what is to come, using all their tips and tricks.

Knowledge is power and it sounds like you're very much "in control" of the situation. Fear of the unknown is our worst nightmare, but doing your research and knowing what to expect minimizes that unknown aspect. You've done your part, now let God be the one in control.

[GenErik]

Sending our prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[nharrold]

One final thing: Ask for what you need. If you are in pain tell them to deal with it. You should not have a lot of pain. If you don't like what they feeding you, tell them to change it. You are in control as the patient and you should have what you need to recover. Make them pamper you.

I hope things go well for you with the surgery. Just a couple of comments on my own experiences with surgery, as I have a low level of tolerance for pain. Last time was a four-hour kidney operation. Amazingly, there was no surgery-related pain afterwards, just a helluva lot of back pain from an unrelated problem. But I was up and around the next day, and outa there in four days.

The other surgeries I've had were no problem at all, as far as pain or discomfort is concerned. We're sure a lot better off now than in the days of ether!

My son had carpal tunnel surgery a few years ago. It was painful and he asked for more anaesthesia, which the anaesthesiologist refused to give him, even after the surgeon also requested it. I wrote a letter to the director of the surgical center and they ultimately fired the anaesthesiologist. Of course, this was after the fact, but I mention this to illustrate that they generally do respect the patient's needs, you just have to be forceful if necessary. Your anaesthesiologist will interview you before the surgery, and you should take that opportunity to make your needs known to him.

One comment on post-op morphine: it works great at killing the pain; but it may cause constipation.