So, I'm scared to death about surgery tomorrow.

[Ladyhawk]

Interestingly, fear seems to be a creature with many tendrils linked to one another. My fear of surgery has brought up my fear of the future. I'm wondering if it would be better to die on the operating table than face what's coming.

All of my fears and all of my pain are linked together. When I feel one fear, I feel all my fears. When I feel one pain, I feel all my pain. Is anyone else wired this way?

[bigwillq]

1. You'll do fine!

You'll be in my thoughts. I would rather have you living (dying is the easy way out). You also overcome whatever it is you're going to be dealing with. Just stay strong and think positive thoughts. :hug:

[ewagner]

2. Your Altitude depends on your Attitude!

Go in there with the attitude that you expect the professionals to do their job AND WAKE YOU UP WHEN IT'S OVER!

I went through triple by-pass in December with that attitude....

a friend asked me "Did you make your peace with God before surgery?" I replied, "No, I made peace WITH MY SURGEON before the operation". Keep that attitude and you'll be all right. Best of luck :hug:

[Dogmudgeon]

3. We all are that way

Part of it, though, is that you are giving the fears more substance than they deserve -- and more than you deserve (as in "deserve to suffer").

This is an era of great fear. It's normal to respond to that, and many of us are going through it. But keep in mind that while it's human to be fearful, it's also human to be courageous.

It's not like switching a light on, but even in the day or so you have until surgery, you may have literally hundreds of opportunities to experience feelings of courage instead of the negative stuff. Even for a few seconds! Contemplate bravery, and savor the feelings and thoughts it brings. Your surgery is going to go well. If nothing else, you can entertain yourself not just with thoughts of disaster, but also thoughts of brilliant success and health.

Good luck!

--p!

[mitchtv]

4. You will be just fine

Nothing to worry about
You'll be good as new in a week or less
See if they will give you a good presciption.
Small prayer from a pagan

[RetroLounge]

5. My thoughts are with you...

I have heard someone once say that Bravery is not the absence of fear.

Rather, it is acknowledging the fear and doing it in spite of the fear.

In that case, you are quite brave. Hang in there...

RL

[Ladyhawk]

8. I've always tended to agree with that definition.

Back in 2000, I had seven courses of ECT in two weeks...those are shock treatments, folks. I was scared out of my mind every time, but I did it anyway.

I realize I am afraid, but I also realize I am brave. My basic temperament is very sensitive, so the barbs of life may affect me more than others. I've always been wired that way. Great sensitivity has both strengths and weaknesses, like any other trait.

The reason I posted was to vent some of the fear, get it out of me and onto the computer screen. There it can be dealt with.

Does that make sense? :silly:

[RetroLounge]

18. Makes perfect sense actually

RL

[Ladyhawk]

10. OT: what is the sundog craze all about? I missed it. :D n/t

[RetroLounge]

19. Who is Sundog?

:D

RL

[jus_the_facts]

6. I understand what you're sayin'....

...my Dad is goin' in for a bone marrow transplant tomorrow...I pushed him and his doctor too for it and now I'm havin' a hard time with him going now that the time has finally come...he's got to travel a long way away for it and I won't be able to see him for the next 3 to 5 months...if anything negative happens I don't know how it's going to affect me in the long run...sigh. x(

Just try your damnedest to be positive...I know that's easier said than done sometimes but keep your chin up and be brave...I'll be sendin' ya good vibes for a speedy recovery girl...keep us posted on how you're doin' okay! :pals:

[Ladyhawk]

9. It may actually be harder to watch someone you love

go through a scary situation.

I am thankful I (apparently) do not have cancer. After the surgery, the battle is only starting for those who have cancer. I watched my father deteriorate and die of cancer before my eyes. The fact that he was abusive, the fact that we never got along, those things merely compounded the problem of watching another human being suffer and die. No human being deserves to suffer the way my father suffered.

I wish your father well. As you know, the bone marrow transplant can be a life-saver. It's scary, too, because your father's ability to fight disease will be nil until the new marrow takes hold. I guess we cling to hope.

Good luck!

:hug:

[jus_the_facts]

13. Thank you....yes hope is all that's left now....

....my apprehension of all it entails will weigh heavy on my heart...and not bein' able to be there for him will be crushin' in and of itself...just have to somehow remain hopefull that it all goes routinely and he'll be well after goin' through it....I'm sorry about the loss of your Dad...me and my Dad have always butted heads and disagree on most everything too...still can't imagine him not bein' here anymore...love him dearly dispite our inability to agree on things though. Thanks again for your kind words. All the BEST to you Ladyhawk with your surgery...will be thinkin' about you tomorrow and sendin' good vibes. :hug:

[Liberal_Andy]

7. My good vibes comin' at ya!

BAM! :nuke:

[Technowitch]

11. *hugs*

When you can, sit someplace comfortable and light a candle. Concentrate on the flame, and on breathing deeply and evenly. Allow your mind to empty of thoughts and emotions, just keep concentrating on that flame.

If more thoughts and fears come into your mind, acknowledge them and let them go. Make "stillness" your goal.

When you feel calmer, imagine a great welling of energy beneath you. See the energy build and grow. Then imagine that energy coming up to infuse you with its power, love, and healing. Let the light spread to fill your entire body, and see it cleansing every trace of illness and injury.

When you are done, release the energy back into the Earth, and slowly bring yourself back, easing back into your 'ordinary' self. Keep breathing, keep watching the candle.

Finish by saying, "The calmness and healing will stay with me, as the image of the candle in my mind."

Later, if you feel the fears coming back, remember the candle and the calmness you felt. It will be yours again.

best,
-Technowitch

[graywarrior]

12. I'll be thinking of you as I await the results of my testing this week

Who knows, I may be scheduled for surgery soon.

[samplegirl]

14. Im in the same boat this week

Try to keep a positive attitude regardless. When fear overtakes
you still have to deal with life.
Thinking of you and praying that you will find newfound steangth.

[skygazer]

15. It will all be fine, Ladyhawk

With all of us sending out good vibes, how could it not be? And think how nice it will be when you're all healed up and not in pain anymore? I had a cervical fusion last year and since it healed fully, I've not had ANY pain at all. And I do a very physical job. Sometimes I cry in sheer gratitude because I'm no longer in constant pain.

So try to look towards the goal and think positive. :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

23. That is my hope, too. :)

I can imagine myself crying in gratitude to be rid of the constant pain. Chronic pain wears you down...ugh. I'm so glad you're better. :) Big hugs.

[Southsideirish]

16. Think like the great tenor, Jose Carerras, while facing advanced leukemia

he NEVER ONCE gave way to the thought he wouldn't' survive. Not once.
Visualize yourself in a few months, walking and laughing with friends, going to brunch or a movie -just having a great old time and keep that mental photo before you as much as humanly possible. Even draw a sketch of the scene. See it in great detail down to your clothes, the location, who is there, what you are talking about, etc. Think about it before you go to sleep tonight and while they are wheeling you into the OR. Good luck!!!!!

[cornermouse]

17. What have you overcome already?

Surgery is a small step back before you take a larger step forward.

[Pushed To The Left]

20. We're all behind you, Ladyhawk!

I'm sure things will turn out fine. My girlfriend's mother went through a surgery last year. After the surgery, she said it felt like she had only been asleep for a few seconds and they were already waking her up to tell her they were done!

[UrbScotty]

21. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Repeat that to yourself many times.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

FDR was right in 1933. His words ring true in 2005 as well.

[tammywammy]

22. Hugs

I will be sending out the good brain waves for you.

I had a minor surgery a few years ago, and I remember being scared. But I knew that I had a good doctor that I trusted.

Trust your surgeons, they'll take care of you.

[snacker]

24. I had back surgery ten years ago.

It was a laminectomy. I had never had any surgery done before, but it was so simple and painfree. It was like having a tooth pulled--all the pain disappeared immediately. Recovery was easy. I never even took a pain pill. Even the small scar on my lower back has virtually disappeared. Don't know what kind of surgery you are having, but think positive and manifest only good things.
Good luck.