6 more days and COUNTING!!!!!!

Boy oh Boy am I nervous.. I went today for my last tests before the surgery. I had to go have the ekg and the blood work all done. I spoke to all the nurses at Middlesex today about the surgery on MOnday and I was ok about it all untill she asked me if I had a Living will or a will or anything.. I do not.. Is this a bad thing?? I never really thought about having a will as I am only 34 BUT I do have a 10 year old son and a house of my own.. So what should I do?? My husband knows what I want done with (me) and the house etc.. But do I have to have this all in writing.. I am sure I will be fine I am just a paranoid freak.. And them asking me today made me worried. I KNOW I KNOW they have to ask everyone. So I am pooping in my pants can ya all tell?? LOL but on the other hand I am because I so want a new life and to be healthy and to be able to play with my son and tie my own shoes etc.. Lisa

Hi Lisa- I am so happy for you! You must be so excited. I know it's easy for me to say "Don't worry, you're in excellent hands" with Dr. Aranow, but if it would ease your mind go ahead and get a living will. It's only a peice of paper. I wish you the best, and we are all here waiting for you on the losing side! Love, Robin

Hi Lisa!! Having a Living Will is not a bad idea. You can pick up a form at Staple's and fill it out. You have to have it notarized so you can go to a bank or a town hall to have that done. It's really easy and quick. You will be fine, but it is always a better idea to protect your loved ones with the appropriate documents. Just my two cents. Trust me, the benefits truly outweigh (no pun intended!!) these little nasty things that pop up that stress you out!!! Love, Tammy

Hi Lisa, I'm waiting for my surgery date with Dr A and knowing that it's getting closer, I'm starting to freak out, too. I'm going to be 42 in a few weeks and have two small chilldren, 7 & 5. My husband and I have been kicking around the idea of having wills done, but we're lazy to do it. I think that I'm going to call a lawyer this week and see if he/she can get a will done before my surgery. A regular last will and testament states how your personal property will be distributed after one dies. As far as a living will or advanced directive, that is solely for stating your intentions on how you want the medical staff to act in the event that something does go wrong at the hospital and it makes them aware if you want to be resusitated, put on life support (or not), etc. Having this makes it clear to your intentions and doesn't place a huge burden on your loved ones to make these decisions for you. (sometimes family will do what they want instead of carrying out your wishes)... Anyways...I'm having the heebie jeebie thinking of "Am I doing this for selfish reasons and writing my own fate?" "I'm too young to die, my kids are too young not to have me around...should I be doing this?" "I'm not ready to die, but I'll probably die a lot sooner from being fat rather than from anesthesia.." But, I just cannot stop these negative thoughts from flooding my memory. I'm thinking the worst instead of thinking good thoughts. I guess everyone must go through some of this. Afterall, it is major open surgery. I'm just hoping that I'm not freaking out too much that morning of the surgery and want to back out for the wrong reasons... Why do we "doom and gloom" like this? I wish you only the best for you and for a totally uneventful surgery, and a rapid, virtually pain free recovery... Know that you're not alone in all of this! We'll all be big losers soon! Paula

You must be so excited!!! My sister is about 6 days away from surgery, too. (9/13). I never thought about doing a Living Will, but it is something to consider. All it clarifies is if you want to sustain life on machines or go naturally if the unfortunate occurance of complications (vegetive-type machine assisted existing) develops. I hope I didn't state that too bluntly, but I hate beating around the bush. Take Care~ Stacey 254/175/???

Hi Lisa, You already got alot of good advice in your posts..so I just want to say ...GOOD FOR YOU..you will do great..on Monday you will be in my thoughts...let us know how you are doing....Colleen L.

HI LISA, PLEASE DON'T BE NERVOUS ABOUT BEING ASKED FOR A LIVING WILL. IT IS NOW A STATE REGULATION FOR ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO BE INPATIENT AT A HOSPITAL. SINCE THE SCHIAVO CASE, HOSPITALS ARE TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE MORE AWARE SINCE THINGS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY AGE. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH ALL MY TESTS, SO I HAVE A LITTLE WAYS TO GO YET, BUT I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING MORE HEALTHY. KEEP THE FAITH, AND I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS!!! JUDY D