Scared

Hi Curly,

Just had to say I know exactly how you feel!!! I was petrified of an operation at 72 years old. I remember wondering if I'd see the world again, and had an awful desire to stop him putting me under by pushing the mask away!!  I was very, very pleased to wake up in the ward, and my pain melted into insignificance!!!

I was scared of the pain, but they gave me a morphine drip and I just pressed when I needed more! I found it less painful than giving birth!!!All in all the whole experience was not as bad as I had feared. I'll add that I had keyhole surgery which made a difference!!! Good luck. xxxx

Hi Curly101,

Please try not to worry.  Easier said than done I know but I had my hysterectomy after a delay of 5 months because of Covid.  It was the first surgery I have ever had but because I had waited and worried for so long I couldn't wait to have the op.  Everyone is so nice and calm from the surgeon, anaesthetist and nurses because remember they are doing this all the time.  You will be put out before you know it and wake up knowing this horrible thing has been removed.  Take care and I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow xx

Morning Curly, welcome to the club.  We understand you're feeling terrified, it's fear of the unknown. I am 69 and had my op 8 weeks ago. I can honestly say the waiting for it was worse than the op itself.  I had to go in to a sort of waiting room where we were all waiting for surgery, socially distanced of course. The anaesthetist came and spoke to me, then I had to walk to the operating theatre like a condemned prisoner, with a nurse beside me to stop me running away! My consultant came out to say hello, then they put a cannula in my hand and I don't remember anymore! There was no mask - dunno how long agoNannyanny had her op!

I had keyhole surgery. My tummy was a bit sore afterwards but the next day I was out of bed sitting in the chair, walking to the loo by myself etc. Stayed in one extra night cos you need to be able to pass wind to show bowel is working OK, and mine wasn't cooperating.  Came home and took things very easy, but only needed paracetamol the first few days. Within a week I was out strolling across the moor near to where we live. It really wasn't bad.  Remember, the surgeons are doing this day in and day out, you can trust they know what they are doing. Anyway, you will be asleep and won't know anything about it!  I was scared about having a catheter, which they put in whilst I was asleep. But when I woke up I didn't even realise I had one in, it was only the next morning when the surgeon came to see me and said it can come out that I realised it was there! Taking it out was easy with no pain.

Of course, it is a major op, but if you are lucky enough to have keyhole you will be amazed how quickly you can recover. Even if they can't do keyhole, they will take good care of you.  Good luck, and just think, the day after tomorrow it will be all over, hurrah!

Viv x

Yes, Jigsaw,

I was a bit stunned by the mask. That was only 3 years ago!! I can remember them as a child at the dentist and have hated them ever since!!! I had a cannula in as well!!!

Blimey Nanny any, sounds like you didn't want to go to sleep! Lucky they didn't knock you out with a hammer blow to the head! I remember those gas masks from the dentist as a child, they smelt of rubber!

Thank you - I can’t wait until it’s over!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Hello Curly101

Go ahead and vent, shout and scream all you like, we're all here to listen and hold your hand. I had my op nearly six weeks ago. The waiting for everything is so draining and worrying as is the fear of the unknown.

I've just read Viv's post (Jigsaw33) and did laugh, especially the bit about the condemned prisoner being walked down to theatre (I had a nice young man take me so I wasn't going to run anywhere)

Everyone was so nice and supportive, The anaesthetist apologised when ice cold alcohol dripped down my bum as he prepped me for an epidural - which I didn't want but was offered for pain relief and was glad I had it.

I also had keyhole which was on-screen in the adjoining theatre so I'm a star (hope it didn't end up om youtube) Felt good when I woke up in recovery, then went to the ward. Got out of bed the next morning once catheter was removed and able to pee. I stayed in an extra couple of days - due to wind and constipation. 

This forum has been a godsend to me, on my low days and high days there's been someone to listen and comfort me, something even your nearest and dearest can't do unless they've been here in this same position.

Don't worry (easy to say, harder to do) our NHS are brilliant, they are so caring - in a couple of weeks time you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about.

Take care, big hugs and best wishes to you for tomorrow, Barb xx