Surgery on Monday -- REALLY SCARED

[Kiffi]

I am having laparoscopy surgery mon to remove 4 cm tumor. Normal ca125.  My dr seems to think cancer is not a strong possibility.  They had to get an ok to do laparotomy just in case.  My fears are probably trivial compared to some of you but I am terrified of the surgery.  I am 37 and I have never really had a hospital surgery.  I am extremely afraid of vomitting.(haven't since i was 2) and also afraid that the dr is going to be wrong and I am going to wake up having cancer.  I am so nervous I cant do ANYTHING but worry.  I worry as much about being sick as the cancer (mainly because the dr has reassured me not to worry) Please Help!!!!

[Kiffi]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! It feels so good to hear from all of you.  I am glad I am not the only one who is afraid (PHOBIC) of vomit.   I have confidence in my dr. and I am trying to have confidence in the whole situation.  I have lost 10 pounds this month though because when I am nervous i dont (cant) eat so I am really looking forward to eating again.

[Kate987]

Hey,
I had laparoscopic surgery on 11/22 to remove a dermoid about the size of your tumor.  Like you I was very nervous about having cancer and also like you I am petrified of vomit.  I expressed this to the anethesiologist (sp?) and she made sure I did not vomit upon waking up.  In fact, I was eating crackers and water and was hungry from not eating all day.  Results also came back benign.  You will be fine, relax!  Keep us posted.

[wonderwoman66]

Hi There! My surgery was back in August and I am never really on here too much anymore, but today I was, and when I saw your post I had to respond. I am just like you : TERRIFIED of throwing up!! Absolutly phobic! Guess what: I had no nausea whatseover from any of it, no puking, no bad tummy; nothing. And i had the full-on laporotomy. following advice from others I did tell the doc & hospital folks about my nausea fear and they said they would add something to the IV to prevent it. All i can say is that i was STARVING when I awoke from the anesthetic and felt amazingly fine! none of the pain meds I took later made me ill...in fact they made me feel great!
Believe in the meds they will give you. They WORK!
I promise.
Good luck to you!
-Donna

[EVD]

You can definately ask the anesthesiologist for anti-nausea meds in your IV.  Thats what I did before my surgery.  I know how nervous you must feel.

I had an exploratory laparotomy for a mass on my left ovary.(15cm.)  Turned out to be an endometrioma (chocolate cyst).  I was so relieved when I woke up in the recovery room.  Even though my Dr had to remove the damaged ovary and tube, things could have been so much worse.

It turns out that I will need some additional surgery.  I have what appears to be ovarian remnant syndrome, with a new cyst (4.5cm) on the left side again.

This time I will not be as nervous.  I had a PC pump (patient controlled anesthesia) last time and it was terrific.  No discomfort whatsoever.

They will take really good care of you.  Before you know it, it will all be behind you.

Good Luck and you are in my prayers,

liz

[montie]

Just offering my support.  I had surgery on the 19th of December.  It wasn't my first but because of the type of surgery, it messed with my head nonetheless.  I was referred to the oncologist, which again, messed with my head.  All the while Dr.s telling me that they don't think the tumor was cancer.  Well, it turned out that they were right, no cancer, they removed the tumor and the right ovary and all was well.  It is amazing how much this stuff freaks you out.  A rational person is left to dwell on what it is, how bad it will be and try to imagine life if the diagnosis is bad and somehow become an irrational person through all the waiting.  All I can suggest is to get through it, get a prescription for the anti-nausea stuff with your pain meds and make sure someone will be around to baby you. Try your hardest to relax, it will all be ok.

[Shellhall]

Thank you all for the advice that I al reading... I am having Lap on Friday the 19th for poss Endo and Andenomyosis... I am scared to death... I have never had surgery... My husband does not understand why I am so scared... He has had a few surgeries but not me... My fear is waking up with this big cut on my belly... and what they are going to find when he goes in there... I am on pain meds all the time now just to controll the pain so I know that something is going on in there....

[sk2006a]

those suppositories are great!

i've had general several times, and never had any vomiting.  hopefully you won't, either.  good luck :)

[lilly64]

My daughter takes phenegren for nausea; she had meningitis a couple years ago and seems to be prone to nausea and it works wonderful.  But i don't know if you can take it before surgery or they may be able to put it in your IV.  Definitely ask the Dr.  I had surgery in May of '04 to remove 2 cysts - one was complex so I didn't know either if I was going to have an ovary when I woke.  But all was fine and benign!  It is very nerve-wracking, i know, but don't be afraid to ask  your Dr. now for some valium to ease the anxiety - it will do wonders!  Also, I was very, very nervous before my surgery and was telling the nurses and everyone that would listen in the pre-OR how nervous I was.  The anestesiologist (sp?) came in and started my IV and I was still telling him how nervous I was - just let me wake up, I kept saying.  Anyway, everyone was wonderful and reassuring and then the anesth. gave me something in my IV and I said, "OK, let's go to surgery..."  I had not a worry in the world with whatever that was he gave me.  So, try to be calm, ask your Dr. for valium and look forward to that la la land.  And, really, post-op they are right there monitoring you for everything - bp, pulse, etc.  I hope this info helps, but I still get very nervous as well - it's normal!  Good luck!  Lilly

[SimplyStar]

Did you know that you can get phenergin suppositories?  had these for my son when he couldn't keep anything down. Takes a little longer to work but they last longer.

[Kiffi]

Good luck tomorrow, I will keep you in my thoughts!

[Kiffi]

Thank you, I will definitely ask for that

[Crazyonthebus]

Phenegrin for nausea is WONDERFUL, but will make your very sleepy.  I've always asked for a phenergin prescription with any painkillers with codeine, because not only do I get nausea, but codeine also makes me slightly itchy.

[Kiffi]

Thank you so much.  Hearing that you all felt sick and even got sick afterward worries me.  Did you have anything for nausea?  I am trying to give this over to God and know there is a bigger plan.  I am taking Ativan for anxiety but cant eat much so i am losing weight that I shouldnt.  I am not very big to start with.  Thank you for your thoughts.  I will take them with me.  If anyone has any anti-nausea remedies please let me know!!!

[chickpea_and_me]

Its totally normal to be scared. I had my surgery this summer when I was 37 and it was my first as well. I was terrified about "going under" and being sick.  It was just like falling asleep and I was nausous when I woke up but I had heavy pain meds as they did find cancer in my case and I was in hospital for 5 days.  I had a high ca125 though.  You would be wierd if you werent scared but once its over you dont have to worry about it anymore.  Just think how great you will feel in the long run! good luck

[Crazyonthebus]

Sorry..my four year old son banged the computer before I was finished!  How ironic!  

Let me start again:

It is extremely normal to be apprehensive before surgery, especially if you are a woman.  I learned a hard lesson many years ago when I had a mild stroke.  I used to think I was in "control" of my life, but after I had my stroke, I realized that I really wasn't in control of anything.   I don't decide when the sun comes up or when the moons goes down.  I can't control the air that I breathe or what is in that air most of the time.  I don't know how many stars are in the sky or if I will be in a car accident tomorrow.  Anyway..you get my point.  What I had to learn how to do is remind myself that I need to be "fact based" in my life.  I can't wonder "what if" and I can't deal with the unknown.  So today...focus on what you have and what you know is true.  I don't mean to dimish your concern, but when you can't control the outcome, then you are wasting energy on something that just doesn't deserve your time.  I have a procedure tomorrow at Duke myself.  I was due for it today, but my insurance company was slow to approve it, so I got bumped until tomorrow.  At first I was like GREAT...another 24 hours of waiting and worrying...but what I ended up doing was taking some time today to do things that I hadn't had time to do and to spend time with my son etc.  I hope this helps and I wish you well in your endeavor.  Also...you may want to ask your doctor for some anti anxiety medicine if you really are struggling excessively to get your anxiety under control.

[Crazyonthebus]

It is extremely normal to be apprehensive before surgery, especially if you are a woman.  I learned a hard lesson many years ago when I had a mild stroke.  I used to think I was in "control" of my life, but after I had my stroke, I realized that I really wasn't in control of anything.   I don't decide when the sun comes up or when the moons goes down.  I can't control the air that I breathe or what is i

[Kat64]

It is quite normal to be scared.  I had my surgery on Dec. 7th and went into it being scared of what they may find.  I also have asthma is another reason for being scared.  I vomited twice after the surgery (but I had 16 staples in my belly) once I got to my room....think from the anesthesia.  Good luck on your surgery and let us all know how you do.