Freaking out....

[SandyRN]

I know I have close to a month before my surgery but my nurse/paranoid mind is going to have me climbing the walls before the 12th gets here. I've decided to have everything out so I don't have to have another surgery down the road...as you can see I don't deal with this too well. I know from the great ladies here to ask for an epidural, a pca pump because of my pain issues, and the vivelle dot patch...got that..

I am STILL so worried that my pain won't be treated properly. I have lived in pain so much of my adult life you think I'd be used to it by now, but this is surgical pain and probably bladder pain from the hysterectomy...then there is the fibro pain I get so BADLY after anesthesia. I know this unit, used to work there, know the nurse mgr and plan on talking to her a few days prior to my surgery. I know logically it sounds as if I have it all together, but I SO do not.

I do NOT like being a patient. I AM THE NURSE, not the patient! I just don't know how to act on the other side of the sheets, so to speak.

I'm making Tom nuts already, seriously. This can't go on for a month. I have my pre op with the gyno on Sept 3rd, then the anesthesia pre op sometime before the surgery. I know the doc will answer my questions then.

The thing is I am worried about nurses looking at my chart, talking about how much medication I take, and how I shouldn't need anything else....we all know that our maintenance meds do not cover surgical pain, but try telling a stubborn floor nurse that.

Rambling...can't stop rambling. I don't wanna do this but I NEED to do this...oh God how am I going to do this without a serious dose of valium every day?

Someone talk me down.........please! LOL

[SandyRN]

ps....forgot to add that I have NO veins, and I mean none...which means that prior to the surgery I am going to have to have a PICC line put in in radiology, which adds more pain....I've had it done, and it HURTS. It's much better than being stuck over and over, but it's just one more procedure.

Plus I can't guarantee that they will give me what I want..i.e the epidural, the pca pump....

sigh

[ICNDonna]

It's pretty common to have a PCA with any major surgery these days. It's been found that patients require far less pain medication if they have the option of dosing themselves before the pain gets out of control --- plus it makes it easier for the nursing staff.

I prefer general anesthesia if they are planning on doing a major surgery. They might want you to be completely asleep. It's something you need to discuss with the anesthesiologist. One thing I do know is that they are well trained and will evaluate your individual case before recommending the type of anesthesia.

Donna

[waterflow]

Last time I stayed over in the hospital the lady next to me had a hip replacement and she had the pain pump. She slept through the whole night except for when she woke up having to go to potty and needed a bed pan. Of course as soon as she mentioned bathroom then my bladder said bathroom. I always wonder if she thought I was a peeping next door patient person. :bonk: The bathroom was right in front of her bed.
You know what you should do? Think of it as going to Hawaii. Go shopping for a new Hawaii outfit. Shorts, flower shirt and nifty cool beach hate with matching sunglasses and a purse big enough to hold your cloths and what else you need to take along. Oh, and a pair of cool sandals.
I know having surgery is scary and since you know the drill already you know what to expect but since you know all the people it should be ok. You're talkikng to them before the surgery day which is a good thing to do. If you don't like what they are doing on the day of the surgery grab the person by the shirt and slap them silly. They do what you say or when you are up and better you will be back to "Make their day". :wink:

[dg2901]

Sandy----you're going to worry yourself sick. I'm sure that since you're speaking with all of your medical team prior to the surgery date that they'll go out of their way to insure your pain is treated properly. It might surprise you that you wont need as much pain medication as you're thinking--which would be nice. <crosses fingers for you!>
My advice, having been through what you're preparing for is to discuss your personal situation, fears, etc with your Dr asap, then take the rest of the time leading up to the date to relax/get things in order.
Also, you mentioned valium---it wouldnt hurt to ask your surgeon for a low dose rx to get you through these next few weeks as needed. I was so worked up prior to my hyst that I did just that--and my Dr had no problems rx'ing me a few to get me through. Like I mentioned on my thread to you on the HS site, I wasted a lot of time worrying about things that were out of my control pre-op.

You're a very educated and skilled nurse, and you state you'll be taken care of by colleagues--I highly doubt anyone will be rummaging through your charts diagnosing what you need or dont need. I'd hate to think thats what nurses do.

Hang in there, Sandy!! I'm hoping you manage to find some peace and take these next couple of weeks to relax.

Wishing you nothing but the best...
Diana :)

[Claredale]

Please stop stressing about this. Like Diana said, hopefully your doctor will give you someting to help. My mom is such the opposite as a retired nurse. When I was growing up nothing was ever a big deal, now when I am having surgery or even a change in treatment, she is all over it making sure I am okay! But with herself, she knows that she will be taken care of and she never even lets on if there was anything to worry about. That is if I can get her to actually get treatment. Long story about a broken foot that she insisted was fine! Several months later, there she was having her foot rebroken so she could actually wear shoes again!

The days are going by slowly I am sure, but just get us much peace and rest as you can! You know it doesn't help to worry!

Hugs Tracey

[SharonA]

Sandy...

I have always heard that medical professionals make horrible patients. It is because they know everything that can happen...good or bad.

Okay...You are aware of this. Now you need to stop doing this and concentrate on how good you are going to feel once you are recovered from the surgery. Think about how much money you are going to save by not having to buy all those "personal hygiene products". :lmao: Think about how wonderful it is going to be not to go through a period ever again!!! Think about how liberating that will be. (Believe me...It is wonderful. I had my last period in August of 1993...I think??? It has been so long I really forget, but that date works for me. It is close enough.)

About six months ago, I decided to clean out a Cedar Chest where I had stored some things. Guess what I found while going through all that stuff? Yep, that's right...A box of tampons!!! What in the world was I hanging onto them for? Who knows?? It sure wasn't because of good memories. I always had periods from Hades. :lmao: I threw them out with glee and delight. :lmao:

You are going to be fine...You are going to be fine...You are going to be fine.

(((Hugs)))...

[waterflow]

Sharon, hey I would have happily taken those tampons from you. What a waste of perfectly good tampons. :lmao: You know Aunt Flow might have put a curse on you for doing that. :bonk:

[SandyRN]

It's pretty common to have a PCA with any major surgery these days. It's been found that patients require far less pain medication if they have the option of dosing themselves before the pain gets out of control --- plus it makes it easier for the nursing staff.

I prefer general anesthesia if they are planning on doing a major surgery. They might want you to be completely asleep. It's something you need to discuss with the anesthesiologist. One thing I do know is that they are well trained and will evaluate your individual case before recommending the type of anesthesia.

Donna


Donna,

The epidural is for pain. It would still be in place after I wake up from general anesthesia. I know they knock ya out for major surgeries. :)

I know it's common to have a pca, but I keep thinking with my luck I won't get it and I'll be in pain. In fact I'm terrified of that kind of pain. I know I won't be able to move, walk, get up to pee, etc, like I need to to get my bowels moving, and to heal.

I guess it's irrational, but I can't help it....I'm just scared, and like I said, I am not used to being a surgical patient. I'm used to being the surgical nurse, and thats the way I prefer it actually! LOL

Hugs, Sandy

[SandyRN]

Waterflow, thanks for the smile...you always give me one. You have me thinking how grateful I am that all the rooms are private rooms. I can't imagine having to share a toilet with another person in that condition, ya know? Again, thanks for the smile, I needed that!

Diana, thanks for being the always rational one. I have been hanging out on hystersisters, as you know... :) I really am going to make myself sick over this....I probably will know at least one of the nurses that will be taking care of me, even though it's been years now most of them stick with that unit because they like it there...and I will be talking to the nurse mgr which should help things. I just know how nurses think. I was one in my prior life, and they will look at my med list, see methadone and dilaudid and assume that I don't need anything else, even though I will need more than what they think is ok....meaning what will not kill me basically. Tom promises me he will make sure I'm taken care of and I know he will. I think, in this case, a bit of knowlege is not a good thing!

Thanks Tracey. Usually I am the same way as your mom, or I was before I got sick that is. I was the kind of person who let everything ride til I was really sick....and that went for even when I started with the symptoms that made me leave my job. I kept on working nights even though it was making me sicker and sicker til I just couldn't do it anymore...calling in sick about killed me and I hated it. It's just this surgery thing. I feel vulnerable and I don't like to give up my power to anyone....I'll be asleep, vulnerable, then I'll be at the nurses mercy when I'm on the floor, and again vulnerable. I hate that feeling.

Sharon, as always you make me feel better. I know it's liberating to be done with this period stuff. I AM tired of bleeding, the pms, the cramps, the being in bed for a few days then walking around with a thermacare strapped to my panties. I keep thinking I made a mistake planning it for so far off so that everyone can get their lives together so my children and I are taken care of. Ya know, Tom owes me...I know you remember how things were here when his surgeries took place. I was beside myself with worry, then all the home health stuff, his open wound....he owes me big time! LOL I know he'll take care of me and that part will be nice I spose...something to look forward to? Peace and quiet and a laptop at my disposal (Tom's)....sigh

Anyway, thanks everyone. I know I'm working myself up into a tizzy over something that will most likely be just fine. I know too much and this is a bad thing right now. I think I will call my GP and get him to call me in something soon...before I develop yet another ulcer!

Thanks for putting up with me...the horrible patient!

[SharonA]

Mary...Those things were at least 15 years old. The only thing they would have been good for was starting a fire in the fireplace. :lmao:

Sandy...Yep...I do remember that. Tom does owe you. :D I am glad you are going to talk with the doctor about the anxiety. :)

[SandyRN]

Sharon, you got me thinking a big fire in the fireplace with all the leftover tampons and such....LOL THAT would be liberating! :)

[amaranthe]

Aww, Sandy! It's gonna be okay. It really will! They are going to take great care of you...(probobly even BETTER care than they would a "normal" patient BECAUSE you are also a nurse! :)) Also, Donna's right that the PCA pumps are pretty standard after surgery like that anymore. (NEver heard of ANYONE that didnt get one!) So, you are going to be fine.

I would ask for an ice belt after surgery. That helped me almost as much as the pain meds. I had them give me some extras to take home with me, they helped so much! I think they sell them on the Hyster Sisters site too, if your hosptial doesnt carry them. But I would bet most hosptials have them.

Right now, keep focusing on the things you can do to make things easier when you get home, like freezing meals and getting the house ready. Also, keep thinking how great it will be to not have a period and those cramps ON TOP Of the IC! Now THAT was a huge relief! :D Hang in there, girl! We are here for ya and are gonna be here for ya "on the other side" too! We all love you here and will be praying for you that this surgery gives you blessed relief.
:kissing:

[kellymh]

Hi,

I had a hysterectomy, I was cut because of other problems. The pain was only bad for the first day. By the third day I was tollerable without pain meds. We are so used to pain that our pain level is much higher than normal people. The hyster was the best thing I ever did, it helped me alot. Than when I had the bladder lift, it also helped my IC. Just a few things that were aggravating it. Hang in there. They always give me xanax when I have surgery just to calm my bladder and mind down. It really helps with the bladder spasms. They also always let me pee right before surgery. You will be fine, its the waiting thats bad. I need sinus surgery because I have a blocked sinus causing extreme pain and I am having anxiety about not getting my meds also. Its just that we are the patient that requires closer attention about pain. I worry about them giving my anxiety meds to me. I really need them when in the hospital. Everything always seems to be fine, and remember it is only for a few days. Good luck!

Kelly

[snowgirl]

Waterflow, thanks for the smile...you always give me one. You have me thinking how grateful I am that all the rooms are private rooms. I can't imagine having to share a toilet with another person in that condition, ya know? Again, thanks for the smile, I needed that!

Diana, thanks for being the always rational one. I have been hanging out on hystersisters, as you know... :) I really am going to make myself sick over this....I probably will know at least one of the nurses that will be taking care of me, even though it's been years now most of them stick with that unit because they like it there...and I will be talking to the nurse mgr which should help things. I just know how nurses think. I was one in my prior life, and they will look at my med list, see methadone and dilaudid and assume that I don't need anything else, even though I will need more than what they think is ok....meaning what will not kill me basically. Tom promises me he will make sure I'm taken care of and I know he will. I think, in this case, a bit of knowlege is not a good thing!

Thanks Tracey. Usually I am the same way as your mom, or I was before I got sick that is. I was the kind of person who let everything ride til I was really sick....and that went for even when I started with the symptoms that made me leave my job. I kept on working nights even though it was making me sicker and sicker til I just couldn't do it anymore...calling in sick about killed me and I hated it. It's just this surgery thing. I feel vulnerable and I don't like to give up my power to anyone....I'll be asleep, vulnerable, then I'll be at the nurses mercy when I'm on the floor, and again vulnerable. I hate that feeling.

Sharon, as always you make me feel better. I know it's liberating to be done with this period stuff. I AM tired of bleeding, the pms, the cramps, the being in bed for a few days then walking around with a thermacare strapped to my panties. I keep thinking I made a mistake planning it for so far off so that everyone can get their lives together so my children and I are taken care of. Ya know, Tom owes me...I know you remember how things were here when his surgeries took place. I was beside myself with worry, then all the home health stuff, his open wound....he owes me big time! LOL I know he'll take care of me and that part will be nice I spose...something to look forward to? Peace and quiet and a laptop at my disposal (Tom's)....sigh

Anyway, thanks everyone. I know I'm working myself up into a tizzy over something that will most likely be just fine. I know too much and this is a bad thing right now. I think I will call my GP and get him to call me in something soon...before I develop yet another ulcer!

Thanks for putting up with me...the horrible patient!
remember to talk with the anesthesiologist about the continous epidural. Ask the ologist if you can have versed asap when all paperwork and everything is complete. They can give you versed in holding room. I ask just as soon as my IV is in and my permit is signed. Best of luck to you. Will be thinking of you.
Remember if you have to ........... I know you won't like to but if you have to talk to charge nurse of manager to get things done to help you out with your pain then so be it. VIcky