Re: thank you, but listen to this- try mind over matter girl!!

February 7, 2004

,

You can control your aprehension and worry by using your mind. I

have experienced a panic attack in the past and their are many mental

excercises that exist to help you overcome your fear/worry.

I think that the most important thing presurgery is to put yourself

in a calm state. It sounds to me like you are working yourself into

a frenzy over the water issue which, perhaps, is the tip of the ice

berg when it comes to your aprehensions. In the past I have been

told no nothing before a procedure, but came to find out that sucking

on ice cubes is ok. You may want to ask about this.

Here are some good tips to reduce panic,

http://www.algy.com/anxiety/relax.html

My dad just underwent major heart surgery to replace a valve. His

recovery has been phenomenal and he did take a very calm, positive

approach to his surgery.

I found some really interesting info on visualization and guided

imagery. It is something that is suppose to be capable of tying the

physical to the mental. It has been very effective for patients to

speed the recovery from surgical procedures,

http://www.guidedimageryinc.com/guided.html

http://www.healthjourneys.com/what_is_guided_imagery.asp

http://www.holistic-online.com/guided-imagery.htm

I wish you the very best and just know that everything is going to be

great once you get rid of those buggers!!

best,

suz

> Thank you, Rhonda, Aztek, and Jackie - very helpful advice.

> The thing that i am still worried about is - when i get nervous, i

get even thirstier, and it will be HELL to go from midnight, all

night, til the next morning with NO WATER, not even a sip. You see -

unlike most people, I sleep with a large water bottle behind my

pillow, and drink water during the night if i wake up. In the

morning if i don't drink water soon I often GAG. Oh, this is really

worrying me. I will discuss this with my homeopath and naturopathic

doc. I'm sure they will have ideas.

> I worry about getting in the car on a COLD Feb. morning to go to

the hospital, and gagging in the car since i am so thirsty.

> HOW could gum or a mint do anything ? I don't get it.

> At least i have something new to worry about. Surgery feels like

nothing compared to THIS.

> Thanks for your helpful advice again,

> And all the best,

>

February 7, 2004

To add to this - a good book - Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster. Buy

it with the relaxing audio tape.

In uterinefibroids , " spatur " wrote:

> Here are some good tips to reduce panic,

> http://www.algy.com/anxiety/relax.html

> I found some really interesting info on visualization and guided

> imagery. It is something that is suppose to be capable of tying

> the physical to the mental. It has been very effective for patients to

> speed the recovery from surgical procedures,

> http://www.guidedimageryinc.com/guided.html

> http://www.healthjourneys.com/what_is_guided_imagery.asp

> http://www.holistic-online.com/guided-imagery.htm

February 8, 2004

Do not worry about the water thing. I am a lot like you in my need

to always have water but I did fine with my surgery. I keep a bottle

by my pillow, just like you do. I carry water bottles everywhere.

Yet, I was fine the day of my surgery. My surgery was in the

afternoon, yet I went from the night before with no food or water.

My Dr. said I could brush my teeth and take sips of water. Because I

did not want to chance getting sick after anesthesia, I only had one

sip of water. Just rinsing my mouth out was enough. ALSO--while I

was at the hosp. waiting to go in for surgery, my IV fluids were

hooked up. I think that kept me from getting " cotton mouth " and I

was fine. After surgery was over I craved cold ice chips, which they

let me have.

February 8, 2004