2 days...but who's counting?

May 23, 2007

Hi ,

Before my first untethering I would talk and talk online to , and

another previous member, Darlene until all hours of the night, all day -

whenever. I was an absolute wreck. I left on medical leave a week early

because I couldn't concentrate and was very weepy from fear of the surgery. I

couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, but managed to vomit and have diarrhea from nerves

that were exploding with the fear of the untethering surgery.

It wasn't until probably my fourth one that I was actually somewhat calm before

surgery. Doctors have so many tools to use in the operating room, they have

such great monitoring equipment, you have to trust that all will go well. I'm

Catholic and saying the rosary about three times a day finally was the only

thing that would calm me down before surgeries. I think it was just the

concentrating on something very intensely that would bring a calm over me and

repeating the same things over and over. Find whatever it takes to calm

yourself - prayer, yoga, swimming, exercise, whatever it takes...

I think most of us were/are wrecks before this surgery, but again, trust your

neurosurgeon, trust the science of today and trust that all will go well.

I can't really think of anything to bring beyond chapstick and nasal spray, skin

lotion, (hospitals are so dry), and maybe some gum. It's hard to read when you

have to lay down the entire time. Plus, the meds they give you after to help

with the post-op pain can make reading a bit difficult, but you could always

bring something in case you find a way to concentrate and hold the book. I

always brought my own pillow - hospital pillows are horrible. I found though

that the time in the hospital during the first two days were blurry due to meds

and really beyond sleeping, you don't want to do much.

Keep the faith...your surgery date will be here before you know it, your surgery

will be behind you before summer really starts and just think, just as summer is

really getting under-way, you'll be healed and on your way!

Kathy

2 days...but who's counting?

Well after 4 hours of sleep I decided it was time to get up. My

release is scheduled for Friday and I have NEVER in my life been so

nervous. I have had surgery in the past...but the anxiety of someone

hanging out and cutting on my spinal cord makes me a little shakey!

Any last minute advice...my good friend Amy suggested a small travel

pillow for neck support...any other handy dandy suggestions?

I had to go on Cipro yesterday...my surgeons staff called and

apparently I have a bladder infection to boot...uggghhh!

Thanks for allowing me to vent!

In Him

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