35 Hours To Go & Random Questions (was: Is this normal?)

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I do already have anti-anxiety medication that was prescribed to me by another physician, since I experience panic attacks and other episodes of generalized anxiety, and I have been taking them (lorazepam [ativan]) for well over a year now. It helps some, but I do wish I could tame the crying fits more. It has been very, very hard.

There are now less than 48 hours to be until my first surgery. I spent a fun afternoon with my daughter and husband at the children's museum. I've also been assembling a box full of stuff for my daughter and I do together during my recovery (books, coloring, play dough, simple toys, DVDs, etc.). She's going to go stay with her grandmother (my mother-in-law) starting tomorrow night, going through the days I will actually be in surgery, and she'll be coming home the day after my second surgery. That will take some of the pressure off my husband, and also make it so he can be at the hospital with me, and I selfishly don't want to be there alone on the days I'm having surgery.

After returning home from the hospital (assuming you didn't go to rehab first), for how long after did you find you needed someone at home with you? I don't think I asked this before, and I apologize if I did. I'm quite disorganized right now. We're trying to figure out how best to use my husband's paid time off, and let other family members know when we might need some help.

Were any of you given a walker or cane to use post-surgery, either short term or long term? I really wanted to bring my daughter to the museum today, and knew that I haven't been able to stand for long without my pain level going through the roof. So I went out and got myself a cheap cane yesterday, to help steady myself (my legs have been weak) and also use it to help hold myself up while I'm standing around. It definitely helped me. I guess I'm just wondering whether or not it would be helpful post-surgery. It's no big deal if it isn't, because I only spent $20 on it, but it obviously would be better if it would.

I'm trying to decide what to pack for the hospital, and have looked through the information in the files section. I'm not going to pack much for myself personally when I show up for my first surgery. I will have a second bag that my husband will have that he can bring in for me at a later point when/if I need it. Did any of you bring something for " entertainment, " and actually end up using it? I'm talking about things such as books, magazines, knitting, computer, etc.).

Sorry for rambling yet again. It's been so helpful to have someome (and in this case, several someones) to talk to about these things.Best wishes,On Sun, Feb 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM, cammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote:

 

,

I think the better question would be....would it be normal NOT to freak out a bit prior to a huge surgery? It is a big challenge ahead for you and there will undoubtedly be moments where you question your decision, but if you can find that small quiet center of yourself and calmly go through your decision process I think you will find that will help you take the necessary deep breaths.

Please know that there have been any number of patients who have asked their doctors for anti-anxiety meds in the period closely preceding surgery...so if you feel that would still be helpful I am sure you can contact DrGlazers office or your PCP....even today.

As freaky as these days are, my guess is you will find peace in the hours before surgery. I will be wishing that for you.

Take Care, Cam