Anyone writing "in case" letters?

Hey everyone, I'm 11 days and a wake up until surgery day (July 1st). I've read about several people writing letters to their children and families. How many of you are doing this? I would like to think I didn't need to but then again just "in case". Good luck to everyone in the coming weeks, we are going to be strutting our stuff in no time. Lisa

I'm thinking about it, but I try not to think TOO much about it. The whole idea of having to write one of those letters terrifies me to no end. By writing to my family, I feel like I'm admitting that something terrible is going to happen to me. I KNOW I'm going to be just fine...right? RIGHT??!! Incidentally...I was just fine with all of this yesterday...but I went through the memorial pages today and am making a table of what happened to everyone. Morbid, I know...I'm just trying to look for some reassurance that a lot of these people were very high risk to begin with or that their surgeons were not experienced.

Pamela, I know what you mean about the memorials. I did the same thing mentally. I wanted to make sure no one was my age, weight, bmi, etc. I promised myself I will not look at the memorials again so close to surgery. My surgeon just told me Friday that he believes that positive thoughts and trust in your doctor makes a huge difference in how you recover. So remember only good thoughts from here on out. good luck to everyone.

Lisa, I'm 26, BMI of 41 no other health problems other than the weight and I am still writing "just in case" letters. If for nothing else to state again to the non believers that are trying to talk me out of surgery that this was something I HAD to do for me my future and the kids I someday hope to have. Where do you go to get the memorial pages I haven't clicked upon them yet...

Hi Everyone, I wrote my "just in case" letters to my husband, one each to my 3 children, and one to my 3 grandchildren. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I cried most of that day while typing them up. But the next day I was so at peace with this surgery that I was glad I had done it. It was like losing 50# right then and there. So I guess it was something that was making me feel weighted down. No one wants to think it may happen to me (dyeing), but it can. The last letter my Grandmother wrote was to me. I cherish that letter so much. I hope my children will mine too, if it comes to that. Since that time, about a month ago, I've gone back and rewrote some of the letter and added some more to them. And I was OK doing that, unlike the first time I wrote them. So I suggest that if you are really feeling heavy in your heart about this surgery, then maybe writing these letters may help you come to terms with it. Jean

Hi Lisa, I have started a daily journal of what my thoughts are each day toward the surgery. I will take this with me to the hospital. I have included on each day something special about my 8 yr. old daughter that she and I have did together or something she has did as she grew up that was funny or just real special. I have included a lot of the funny things she has said. I feel very positive about my surgery because I not only want to just be alive but to actually live a wonderful active life with her. My journal will give her something to read the couple of hours I am in surgery and realize how special she is to me, which I think will take her mind off Momma having surgery. I have wrote a positive thought or inspirational saying each day also. So the journal is a way of uplifting both of us as I go on this positive journey to a new life. Marsha

I plan on writing "just in case" letters to my family as well as some instructions to help my husband if he shoud need them (i.e., what bills are due when, funeral preferences, etc.) I really believe that they won't be necessary, but I feel it needs to be done. I'm sort of weird....but I sort of think I won't need them because I have them....it's if I don't write them that they might be needed. Anyway, my husband knows that I plan to do it and actually requested I make sure my wishes are known. I told him that I don't want any of them opened unless it should come to that. We plan to burn the un-opened letters in a celebration ceremony on my one-year surgery anniversary. Traci

I will definitely be doing this. No one can control every part of their lives...I don't think I'll have any problems, but I'm sure none of the people on the memorial page did either This surgery is a new beginning for me...my life has to be about reality from now on, honesty with myself and everyone around me. The reality is something could happen to me....this is major surgery. And if that should be the case, I want my family and friends to know what they have meant to me. I plan on giving them their letters even if nothing negative happens. Everyone needs to know how much they're loved...... Kelle