[Pinkie]

Hello everyone. Pinkie here. I need some one to talk too.

When I was 14 I got into a bad car crash. I needed to change a lot of things in my life because of the accident. Years after I found out that this crash has herniated discs in my lower and upper spine. Well they never really caused me an issue until a little while ago when I pulled my back and almost went paralyzed. Well I have been going to every doctor needed and have had every test done. Now surgery is on the table and my beat option to get some of my life back.

The last time I was scheduled for surgery my hemoglobin was to low so it got pushed back. Now I go for surgery tomorrow. I am so scared and apprehensive about this surgery.

Is there anything anyone recommends to push some of these nerves down? I am willing to try anything just to sleep tonight because tomorrow at 10am I am on my way to my first surgery ever and I could use some sleep...

Any advice is welcome for anything...even just to talk would be good. I am freaking out

[Glitch]

The closest thing to a surgery I had was having the baby. . . which was life threatening for me and so it was pretty scary! They were supposed to have me on the epidural early because of the strain contractions can have on your blood pressure right - but i have scoliosis so they couldn't get it in right and that really sucked. BUT the doctors were very calm and patient with me and they were very nice about eventually finding a way to make everything better. The after care is also very nice, I think I got a little depression just because I had to go home! I know this is like, in no way similar, but it is my only frame of reference. The doctors want everything to go well and they will do everything they can to make sure it does. Think of the positives and how exciting life will be once it is over! We can all do anything for a short amount of time and anything is worth it for a better future.

[Pinkie]

Yeah thank you for that glitch. It helps just to talk. This is my first surgery ever so I'm scared. First time being put under too. So I'm worried

[Espy]

I was going to recommend herbal tea (like chamomile) because I recommend tea for anything anxiety-related, buuuuut IIRC sometimes they don't want you drinking a ton right before you go under.

I'm not very helpful in terms of any other advice -- wisdom teeth surgery doesn't count, and the last major surgery I had was before I was a year old, so.

[Gallagher]

Originally Posted by Espy

IIRC sometimes they don't want you drinking a ton right before you go under.

they don't want you eating or drinking anything for the hours before going under anesthesia because you could end up vomiting and causing a lot of complications that, if they don't interfere with the actual surgery, can give you problems in recovery. empty stomach is for a very good reason.

not that that's to scare you or anything, pink, lol. unfortunately enough people don't listen that they do know what to do when that sort of thing happens (extremely well, i might add), but it's better for everyone when you listen to instructions and don't try to bend the rules.

when i had my eye surgery years ago (the one i remember anyway, i've had 3 but for 2 of them i was super young), it was hella scary. not just because wowie surgery, but afterwards, there was my whole recovery where i couldn't see and had to rely on help to even use the bathroom. the best advice i have would be to be open about everything that's going on with you, anything that feels off or you're unsure about. don't shy away from getting help for things. because going under probably won't be the only scary part, if you're anything like me at least, lol. the vulnerability that's there while recovering from something so essential to your day to day life... like, that's super real and super valid but it will be okay. for reals.

[Quiet Man Cometh]

I've been through a few surgeries. There's always a bit of anxiety to start with, I find. I tell myself that I'll fall asleep, not know a thing about what's going on, and wake up once it's all over. Recovery will probably be more annoying than the actual surgery, as you might well wake up with tubes and such here and there that you didn't expect, and probably feel quite miserable. If you're the type that likes to know as much about something like this as you can, then be liberal with the questions!

Here are some tips for a "hospital kit" that I find help me out.

1. find a back scratchier or claw sort of thing that you can use to reach things, like across the bed. If you are having surgery on your back, your mobility will probably be limited afterword so having a tool to grab a loose sock or the corner of your sheet is handy.

2. Big socks or slippers. Something you can slip on without too much effort or bending, especially for when you are able to get up and walk about.

3. Baby wipes. Hanging out in a hospital bed can leave you feeling a little grimy. Having something around to wipe your face and such helps with making you feel better. You can always ask nurses for a wash cloth or something I imagine, but they can be busy.

That's the stuff right off the top of my head. Again, I just tell myself that I won't remember a darn thing and deal with the rest as it comes.

[Pinkie]

Thank you all for your words.

I am nearly done with the medical here. I get to the OR today go through admitting and everything. Get to the OR and then get told that there was an emergency and my surgery was canceled yesterday. Hey no one notified me and I was called over three times yesterday and do you think anyone told me? No. Not even the addition desk! Like what the hell kind of system is that?! So now I have to wait until next week to get a call for a new appointment. I am so upset with this all I am ready to say screw it and be done with it and just go back to work.

Oh by the way this is #3 for the amount of times this has happened. 3...3!!! I'm so upset.

[Glitch]

oh pinkie that is horrible!

[Pinkie]

Right!! And people don't understand why I'm so upset. My depression is bad as it now and this made it worse... Oh my life

[Glitch]

You can come over here. i'll watch you eat ice cream and dream about eating ice cream while we watch silly shows in an effort to cheer you up <3

[Pinkie]

I could use a night like that. I am trying to keep myself positive but it's so hard. I won't know anything until sometime next week and then the wait begins again for it.

[Glitch]

we will be here for you though! I expect play by plays so I can cheer you on.

[Moonshadow]

Pink: I'm so sorry for what is going on. When I have a major issue like that, I try first not to dwell on it and also to see it as resolved. I think in 6 months, this will just be a memory. Hang in there, sweetie. I will say a prayer for you, just take deep breaths when I am upset that is what I do.

[Panda]

Sending lot and lot of loves. <3

[Potironette]

*hugs*
I have no idea how it must be like to be waiting for a surgery but it does sound incredibly nerve wracking.

I dunno if it helps or not, but when my sister had to get a surgery, my family just stuck the date on a calendar so they could forget about it until nearly the day-of.

[Pinkie]

See my issue is that I get so close to it. Even the day of and it gets canceled. 3 times this has happened and I have waited over 6 years for this surgery and it keeps getting pushed back. I think I am getting more frustrated and upset by the day the longer this goes on.

I am almost at the point of saying screw it and just going back to work and stuff even though I'm not supposed to. I am just so fed up with this all and yet canada is supposed to have a great medical field...haha yeah okay then.