Post op tests / surgery/ fear

I don’t have the same level of fear as you so my technique when I’m stressed may not work but I try to get very pragmatic in my head. Hundreds of women have done this and been fine, the surgeon has done this hundreds of times and is totally competent, yes this will be hard but I can do it and frankly I have no alternative so I have to trust and just do it. Once I’ve done it I’ll recover and carry on with life but if I don’t, I won’t! I’ve got to do it, the people who are treating me are great, I’ll be fine. I think of the thank you cards behind the nurses when I check into the hospital and know others have finished, so will I. That sort of thing!! Like an internal pep talk, concentrate on breathing smoothly and just trying not to panic. I also get as much information about what is going to happen, ask lots of questions so that I know what I’m expecting and not what I imagine I’m expecting if you know what I mean. Anyway! Hope that helps x

Hi 

I was terrified of the anaesthetic (not the surgery just the anaesthetic) before my surgery. I did ask if there was any chance of them doing it under local but they said no. 
I’d had 2 c-sections with spinal anaesthetic and that was fine but I was so scared. 

In all honesty it was nowhere near as scary as I thought. The anaesthetic team were brilliant at putting me at ease and before I knew what was happening I was being woken in recovery. I didn’t feel bad at all, I drank plenty of water and had a meal and then went home! 

Hi, I don't have the same fears you have, but I feel for you, that must be difficult. Have you thought about any mindfulness apps that you could use right up until you go into surgery. I use one called Headspace that has lots of different options.  Best of luck 

Hi, 

I did mindfulness for my biopsies as I started getting panic attacks, did help. I did it for my pre op this morning and it kinda helped, I'm going to start practicing it more leading up to my surgery.

My pre op went ok ,mum could come in with me which helped alot, and nurse was really nice.

The surgery I think is going to be hard.

Hi I took your advice and asked alot of questions because I was thinking lots of different scenarios.They are aware of my PTSD and they are trying their best to help me.

My post op went ok ,I could take my mum through which helped alot.I'm still a little daze about can't quite believe I made it through it.

I forgot until I started receiving these post in reply back to mine that I'm in control, that on the day of surgery if I'm uncomfortable I can say , if I need space I can say , they will not put me under until I'm completely calm.

I'm thankful for your help & every ones help on this site,.

Hi, 

Thanks they mentioned today in my pre op   today about food & recovey.I had no idea they would feed me .

They did say I could speak to anaesthetic team before surgery, as that may help me a little.

I'm allowed to bring someone in waiting room with me , which will make me feel a little better.

Thanks 

Don’t get too excited about the food, it was a cheese sandwich! I was still there when they did a hot meal so I had that as well but it wasn’t compulsory. They want to be sure you can eat, drink, pass urine and mobilise before you are discharged. 

It is scary.  I have my op in a couple of weeks and I struggle for sure.  I felt that going in on the day for surgery would just be impossible.  I couldn't imagine how I could function and make myself do it.  But I think my brain had to process that and feel scared.  I allowed it for a bit, but now I a reminding myself that these amazing people want to save my life.  That they do this every day.  They are wonderful doing this for women and I am lucky to have them.  I will mentally run towards them.  I am also keeping a journal. Every time I read something helpful of positive, I am recording it.  This is acting as a kind of letter to myself from a time I am doing okay to read in the coming days when things are hard.  I hope you find your way to manage it.