5 days out, and still so overwhelmed

I have spent the days since finding this forum doing more research than I ever though possible. Well, I should say I have spent my spare time doing this research. I am so happy I have found you all, because there is so much more info out there than the doc's office led me to. (Still love them, I realize they can't do it all and haven't lived it all.) 

However, I am only 5 days out...only 2 days until we leave town to go there, and I feel so unprepared. I feel like I'm trying to get a drink from a fire hydrant. I have my vitamins the doc gave me, but now I worry about what else I need, and if I can even get them all in post op. 

I guess this post is just a little vent and whine from me. I have gotten so much support since joining here, I am just thrilled. I am thrilled we had a short process of getting approved and scheduling our surgeries. I am also overwhelmed. So overwhelmed I am on the verge of tears. Please tell me I will "get" it and this will all pass? 

The first six months I lived and breathed the DS. Friends and family probably got sick of my one tracked mind LOL. You will continue to learn through out your  "journey". It will all make sense and fall into place once you're experiencing ti first hand. The only thing you really need to know the first weeks is to sip and walk. Best of luck to you.

Take a deep breath... It's going to be ok. You can take what the doc gave you or take as many as you can take comfortably at first. As you get yourself settled and used to what you've done to your innards, you can start adding more vites such as the ones on Vitalady's list. Again, add the vitamins slowly. Same goes for protein. Aim for 100 grams if you're going to use protein shakes but don't beat yourself up if you can't handle them at first. Hydration trumps vitamins and protein, get your fluids in at all costs. It will get better and easier with time.

--gina

You came to the right place to vent.  We have all faced the days leading to surgery and the "daze" afterward.  lol.   Each story is different but most will tell you that they would do it again in a heart beat.

If you have done your research and paid attention to the board and dsfacts.com, you should do just fine.  (it sounds like you have).

Hang in there, keep posting, ask for advise if you need it.  That is what the forum is for.

I'm a little partial, but you did one of the most important steps when you chose an excellent surgeon.

You will be fine!

 Baby steps!  It will all be good.  First, and most importantly, you have a great surgeon!  You have plenty of time to learn it.  You don't have to have it all down pat.  You will learn many things as you go along!  Don't sweat it!  One day at a time!

You'll be just fine. I changed from RNY to DS at the last minute, so felt like you did right before surgery, having to learn all new stuff, and knowing there was so much I didn't know yet. 

You should be just chilling while recovering, which will give you lots of time to read here. I also just asked questions or looked stuff up as it came up for me, and realized I didn't need to know it all before I was cut. 

I STILL learn stuff here, but there's no way I'd have wanted to wait almost another 4 years for my DS so I could be where I am now with the information.

You can take things in steps. Right after surgery, just make sure you sip, sip sip walk and nap. Start on the protein, but you don't have to get the full 100 gr/ day for months, so no worries. Vitamins, you have some stored in you, so not an emergency to take them immediately, and you will get there. Start ordering what you need online while you sit and recuperate, and can look at Vitaladys list. Labs won't come up for months, so you can start learning about those when the time comes, and download the spreadsheet for tracking purposes, which makes it easier for you to follow them, as well as easier for others here to look at them with you if you need help.

Just focus on the parts that are relevant right now, and you'll have time to deal with the other stuff when it's actually time for it. You really will be OK.

 Hang in there, Heather!  I know how overwhelming it can be.  Steve decided to have surgery and was on the table 2 weeks later.  He was excited, looking at it from a medical point of view and just thinking how cool it was.  Me, the planner, organizer, scheduler, not to mention home cook?  I was a nervous wreck.  I about drowned myself in what-ifs--and I really didn't have nearly the amount of info you have found nor resources.  

I'd like to say 18+ months later when I had my surgery i was calm, cool, and collected but I try to avoid lying whenever possible.  I think I left my mother--MY MOTHER-- a ten page document on the care and keeping of the house, boys, dog and use of the sleep number bed.  Not to mention, I'd just escorted my husband through 18 months of DS, only to break down a week after surgery and say 'But I don't know what I'm DOING!!'  Or eating or whatever.

It took a bit, and it is something that as a person of faith I've had to learn and relearn, but I had to let go of my need to have everything planned and trust that 1) I had learned, 2) I had resources, 3) nothing was likely to happen that someone here or at Stewart's office couldn't help me with and 4) (most importantly) I may not know what the future holds but I know Who holds the future. 

You've got all these fine folks here and all us nutcases in Lubbock to help you.  I hope my little booklet helped some.  Call us if you have need.  We're already praying for you guys. 

How's your husband handling all this?  

Take care and don't forget to breathe.  It will be OK.

Rags

It's interesting to hear your perspective after living the DS life vicariously through your husband for 18 months prior.  Glad to know that I'm not the only planner printing out all kinds of documents and giving people mini-DS lessons in case they need to know later on.

Your posts are always helpful to me.  Thanks a bunch!

Nic

I so get what you are going through.  I am actually somewhat grateful that I do have to wait 3 month to go through required insurance nutritional counselling because it has allowed me time to research =, find this place etc. At the same time period after my decision where you are now I was still scared to death about possibilty of this surgery and life after this surgery, time has erased all those fears and I am far more calm.   We'v e been praying for you in our household and I know you are going to do just fine.

 Thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers, they are greatly appreciated.

My husband, well, he is so busy working that he is depending on me to teach him what he needs to know (outside of what we learned in class). His only concern with the surgery is actually surgery worries...like, he is upset that he has to have a catheter, he is worried about pain, and he is scared of dying on the table. 

I'm not so worried about the catheter or the pain, but I will be honest and say the whole mortality fear gets me some. But, I have had a hysterectomy and colon resection, and I felt the same way both times.