WHAT NOW????

Ok so I have been given a date 05/14/2007. Now what I am soooo nervous, does this mean I have to get my house in order so to speak? Do I have to ship my kids off? Do I have to check my will? You know its like getting what you want and not being grateful. Although I really am. Ok not soo drastic but any sugestions on what to do next?

The first thing you have to do is take a step back from everything, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that you are doing this for your health and that is a GOOD THING. For at least the first week, you should try and make sure that you have help with the kids. Depending on their ages, they may be ble to take care of eachother, but keep in mind that you won't be able to lift more than 5 lbs for AT LEAST the first week. Most hospitals will ask if you have a living will. I had my surgery at Monmouth Medical center and they actually gave me a generic, fill in the blanks, living will when I did my pre-op testing. Although it isn't demanded for the surgery, I felt more comfortable knowing that my family knew my wishes ahead of time, and I sat down with them before the surgery to make sure they understood my wishes. The biggest thing before surgery, and the one thing I didn't really do an wish I had, is to make a list of objectives. Start with the small things, like my first WOW moment was when I was walking in mall and looked down and saw my feet before I saw my belly, or being able to cross your legs, then build on those things and make yourself an objective list for YOUR life. List the things that YOU want to be able to do/be after surgery, just don't use #s, they aren't as important as healthy. Hope this helps. If you have any questions, or just need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me off board @ [email protected].

Wow MG....that was fast. At least it seems like it was. I'm sure it seemed like it dragged on for months for you. Congrats! You will have your surgery only 2 days before me. Are you having it done by Dr. J-B? I'm nervous as well.....but I've been busying myself for a month. I even packed weeks ago. My house has never been so clean. Please know I'm thinking of you and here's to a speedy recovery Lisa

Well, I was a basket case prior to surgery LOL. I visited my lawyer, drew up my will, and had an Advance Directive (living will) done as well. I wrote letters to my daughters in case something happened, explained to my husband how my funeral arrangements were to be handled, and ate in every one of my favorite area restaurants. I scrubbed my house from top to bottom, made arrangements for my two younger daughters to be taken care of by two different grandmothers, and made arrangements for my husband to be home with my oldest daughter, who was taking a summer class. I also hired a housekeeper to come in every other week for the next 3 months after surgery. Best $60 I ever spent every other week - at least in the beginning. It's not that I didn't feel well, but I was restricted as to how much I could lift, and while my little incisions were healing, I was cautious about bending and straining. I certainly didn't need it for 3 months, but yes, I milked it for all it was worth LOL Take a day of pampering for yourself if you can squeeze it in. It really will help to relax you and prepare you mentally for the big changes ahead! Good luck, MG!!