5 Days and I'm realy nervous...

When I scheduled, I was sooo far in advance of my surgery date that I really didn't get the jitters that I hear so many people talk about.  But now, boy have they struck me!  I'm usually not an easily shaken person but I really, really can't seem to get my mind off of the possible negatives.  It's bad enough that my wife wants me to talk to the Dr. about "something to calm me down" in the days leading up to surgery.  I see him tomorrow but I'm not sure what to ask for.   This is beyond pre-suregy jitters, I'm having "physical" sympotoms from my nerves...I'll leave it at that.  Any suggestions on what to do or how to talk to the doctor and let him know how I'm feeling?

When you talk to your Dr. just shoot from the hip and be straight up with him. It's very normal for us to have the 'jitters', complete with the suite of physical symptons that can accompany severe emotional distress. You are getting ready to undergo major surgery that will be followed by a major life change and no matter how committed you are to this on an intellectual level, it can still be hard to settle the nerves. I know that I was just a bundle of nerves. It helped me to look at everything in black and white, so I made a list of the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place and then a list of pros and cons if I did it vs. if I didn't. That helped soothe me some. I don't know if you program has a psych on staff, but if they do you might ask if you can see them, not because you are crazy, but because they may be able to give you some tools/exercises to help you navigate the minefield you are currently walking through.

I don't know if this helps, but while I was a bundle a nerves before my surgery, the morning of I was actually okay. I guess I'd worked it all out and I have to say that almost 9 months later, I'm still so very glad I did it. It has changed my life in more ways that I can articulate. I know that this isn't a magical cure and that I have a lot of work left to ensure that I maintain the losses I've 'gained' over this past 9 months, but I have to say that my only real regret is that I didn't do this a decade ago.

Take a deep breath ...

Hugs,

Barb

I just wanted to say to hang in there and hopefully the jitters will disappear but I guess it would be good to talk to the doctor or something. I guess I just tried not to even think about it at all and just went in kind of blind as I could. That worked for me...lol. Maybe not the right approach, but the one I took nonetheless. Anhow, best of luck.  Lisa

I just wanted to say good luck to you and hope you get calmed down a bit before the big day! you are in fantastic hands and I know its hard to calm down.. I was climbing the walls the weekend before surgery and was really glad to get it done and over with, best of luck to you!!!

Darcie

You Can Do This!!!! Pre surgery jitters is very normal I was a basket case before my surgery. When the actual day came I had a calmness come. I knew in my heart that this was the right thing for me. A few days before surgery I had the hospital chaplin give me communion it was very comforting for me. Also the day of surgery the chaplin came and sat with me and my husband before they took me into surgery. The chaplin held my hand and stroked my arm while we were waiting. I felt so much love from her and somehow it gave me the calmness I needed that day. I will always be grateful to her for that simple act of kindness.                                                 Annie

You're almost there! You can do it...and it will be sooooo worth it. Hang in there, friend. Mare

You're gonna do great! Just keep thinking about the POST OP experiences... It is perfectly normal to be nervous, but you can do this!!! We'll all praying for you! Be sure to keep us posted and let us know how you are doing!