Hello

1. Hello there. I had the same operation many years ago . I also suffer with anxiety and was agoraphobic too. And terrified!  I took books in to read . But now maybe Audible would be better ? Paul mken has a new book out for anxiety and there's a 30dsy free trial on at the moment. If you're listening to a book your brain can't connect to the panic area! Who knew. Here if you want to chat my lovel

Hiya Paddie thank you for answering me, was you scared ? did you panic? How many days were you in for? . I know I need the operation but omg I am so scared, I don't know how to alm myself down, my doctor as given me diazapan but I am still panicing . xxx

Hi Canbob ,

My only advice is to take anything you can to distract yourself.  As Paddie suggested books and audio books. Colouring, download a new game on your phone if that’s an option, word search and puzzle books. Literally anything to distract yourself a bit. I know it’s hard, but also try to remind yourself you’re in safe hands. I know we have spoken previously, but I can’t remember whether you have a specialist nurse. If you do then it’s worth seeing if they could visit you whilst you’re waiting to go down for surgery. I wasn’t expecting a visit, but my nurse stopped by to see me  and it helped to pass the time. It was also reassuring to have someone to ask any last minute questions. 

Hiya Cancer warrior yes I have spoken with the nurses and they have said they will try and pop and see me, but omg I am terriefied not only of the op but also been away from home, I have books and a puzzle book, game and medition app on my phone, but what if I can't do this??

Hi Canbob ,

I am glad the nurses hope to pop and see you. 

It sounds as though you have plenty to keep yourself occupied. I have every faith that you can do this. Sometimes when I am really anxious about something I ask myself ‘what is the worst that can happen’. Like really seriously ask myself that. Sometimes I still manage to come up with all kinds of scenarios so I’ll unpick each of them with ‘what’s the worst that can happen’. If I’m still left with worries I weigh up the likelihood of it happening. It may not help you, but I find it helpful with most of my worries. 

Sorry I may have asked before, but do you have a date yet? I hope you can put this behind you real soon. 

Hiya warrior, yes I go in on the 6th of feb, I am first on the list so have to be there for 7 in the morning. When I ask myself that question my thoughts turn to all the what if's, what if I panic to much and I can't stay, I have left appiontment's  before. I am past been terrified. I know they are doung the best for me and all them I have seen have been lovely it's just me and my thoughts . xx

Hi Canbob ,

Not too long then, but still long enough when you feel the way you do. How do you feel about being first on the list? I am wondering if it may help as you’ll have less time to think about it. 

It sounds terribly difficult for you. ‘What if’ thoughts are natural, but difficult to manage. Different things work for different people, but you could try to ask yourself ‘am I safe?’. Sometimes when we feel unsafe it can help to stop and think about it for a minute. It also helps to distract from the ‘what if’ cycle. Another thing I try to do is ask myself the opposite. So for example ‘what if you don’t panic so much you have to leave?’. It may be that none of this works for you and I don’t want you to think I’m minimising your worries or that I don’t understand how difficult they are for you. I am hearing  how difficult this is for you and hope that I can share even just  one helpful ‘tool’ from my ‘tool box’. 

You and your thoughts are all very valid and real for you. I am pleased your team are all nice and hope you manage to find some kind of peace to help you through your op. 

Hiya Cancer Warrior, I would never dismiss the help you are offering I am very grateful for all advice. I have never thought to ask myself the opposite. I have tried to imagine th e all thing in my head the going in the waiting to go down , the time I come round and the staying there , My anxiety goes  from 1 to 100 when I think about it. Was you scared ? was it as bad as you imagined ? Sorry for so many questions I am just trying to see if I can settle xxx

Hi Canbob ,

I’m so sorry,  I missed your reply come through. 

Yes I was scared. All kinds of thoughts went through my mind, but it actually wasn’t half as bad as I thought. I had quite a wait to go down for my surgery, but kept myself entertained with word searches and my phone. I think for me, going into the hospital and settling on the ward was the worst part as it was all unknown. Once I was actually in there my anxiety started to settle. 

Please don’t apologise, ask as many questions as you like. I have been there and know how worrying it is. 

Hiya cancer Warrior. How long was you in hospital for? Do you suffer from agrophobia to? I am hoping that once I am there I can go through with it, I am just so scared and I am frightened if I cant stay will they refuse to treat me or will they give me another date . xxxx