Nerves setting in...

[dwfreck]

Everyone,

Sorry for the partial absence from the forums.

I'm still here, and approaching the big day.

It wasn't until yesterday that I started getting nervous about the surgery. My wife and my mother were discussing plans and logistics for February 27 (my surgery date), and I realized that I wouldn't be a part of those plans. That doesn't happen very often, so, I started thinking, "I won't be doing what they're talking about." Then I started thinking, "Hmm... what will I be doing instead?" Then REALITY started to rush in. Needless to say I quickly diverted reality by getting back to the "nesting" chores I've been working on, but once I was done with them for the day, reality came right back. I slept, but not as soundly as usual, and with very strange dreams that have absolutely nothing to do with anything in my life.

Ah well, at least it's only a few more days. Choir practice is tonight, which always brightens my mood. Pre-op testing and a tour of the heart unit at the hospital are coming up tomorrow, then an anointing-of-the-sick ceremony and a dinner out (for me and my dad, whose birthday is the 27th) on Thursday. Plus I've still got "nesting" chores available to keep myself distracted (nothing too ambitious or strenuous!). Various relatives have scheduled to come into town to hang around the hospital and/or help out around the house, the recliner is all set up in the family room, and I've got a good stock of un-watched DVDs and un-read books waiting.

In the meantime, I'll just hang in there.

For those of you who preceded me this month, I hope all your recoveries are going very well.

I'll probably post a "parting shot" sometime Thursday evening (after dinner).

 

[Ross]

If you happen to find yourself concentrating solely on surgery, we are here. The real jolt hits you the day before. You can't seem to think of anything else.

Did I tell you about what my wife did on the morning of surgery? She dropped me off in front of the hospital and wanted me to wait for her to get out of the parking deck before going in. I told her I'd meet her inside because if I had to stand outside and look at those doors, I might just bolt and forget about it. She actually understood what I meant for a change!

 

[dwfreck]

My hospital's parking lots are so torn up right now that they have free valet parking for anyone who wants it, so unless I grab the wheel and steer the car into a ditch, I think I'll get inside the front doors. Whether I run screaming out through the emergency department is another question entirely...

 

[Tom F.]

Hang in there, you are feeling what all of us felt as the day of surgery gets near. You will be fine!

 

[punkin32180]

Dale my surgery is the day before yours so I feel that we are in this together... for the past week its been bother me but it really set in today when i realized only 3 more days til i have to go in.. Pre op for me is tomorrow so i hope to have some things to ease my mind by then... Good luck and keep us posted on things.. My boyfriend will be posting for me while I am gone... Jaque

 

[ccrawford]

Dale - If you have gotten all of your presurgery list items done or at least planned out then you have nothing to worry about. Once you're in their hands, you are just along for the ride and have no role to play other than being the object of everyone's attention. I got a flash of anxiety exactly 24 hrs before my surgery, then it went away and I was fine. With all your fans here rooting for you, you can't miss. Hope you have someone to post for you so we won't be pacing the floors too long.

 

[Bill Hall]

Dale - I know it can get very tense before surgery and I don't have a solution to that. But just keep in mind that once it happens, you are quickly on the road to recovery. Many people spend only one day in the ICU, you are a candidate, since you look pretty young. Getting out of the hospital is only one week usually and that week in the hospital is somewhat of an experience. So good luck and keep busy until the big day.

 

[Nancy]

Dale-

One of the tricks that others have used to help over this tense period is to concentrate on the period after surgery. Envision yourself coming home. That's a wonderful moment. Think of some of the things that you will eventually be able to do with ease. Imagine how it will feel to not have this thing hanging over your head.

The hospital stay is only 5 days or so, and for a couple of those, you will be sort of "out of it". The next few days will keep you busy with walking down the hall, little seminars and other hospital things. So it's a pretty brief period of time, and then back home.

 

[Marvin]

Dale

We are keeping you in are prayers each night. I know that the waiting is hard. Marvin was lucky in the fact that when he got is date it was only 1 wk so not much time for him to think about things, he was still trying to decided on which valve procedure to have up until the pre-op day which was the day before the surgery. I agree with the others just think about when it is over and you get to come home or like marvin did (dream about his trip to the bahamas someday). We will look forward to hearing from you after it is all done.

 

[catwoman]

Dale:

My husband and I have you in our prayers throughout this week.

I was a "hostage" patient -- had a heart cath the day before, was admitted that day, so I couldn't run away.
Made it a little easier --
I got to sleep a little later than my family and friends who drove from Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Garland and east Dallas to Baylor.

The last few days pre-op I fast-forwarded to post-op points -- this time next week the surgery will be behind me, this time 6 weeks from now I'll probably be driving again, this time 3 months from now I'll be back at work, etc. It helped me focus on getting back to the real world.

 

[Glenda]

Dale, you will be in my prayers. My surgery hasn't been scheduled yet. It will probably be sometime in June.

Be sure and have someone let us know on the site how you are doing.

 

[Birky]

surgery

surgery

It is normal to be nervous before surgery. I was the same last year. It will be one year for me on the day of your surgery. Think about how good you will feel after it is done. I was in ICU for less than 24 hours and then moved to a regular floor. The year went so fast it is hard to believe. Good look and God bless,

 

[Debrinha GT]

Trust God!

Trust God!

Dale and Jaque, there's nothing wrong with feeling scared in a situation like this. I too felt awful three times and I don't think I'll feel any different when the fourth one comes, I'm a bag of nerves by nature! However, what you really have to do is fight against any negative thoughts that may cross your mind and as suggested by Nancy, channel them towards the plans you have made for the fiture. Well, if you haven't yet, start doing it and when you least expect you'll be fulfilling them. Take a deep breath and try to relax. Débora

 

[Kathy]

Dale and Jaque,

We all know how hard those days before surgery are. I kept very busy, but I must have had thoughts of surgery distract me every thirty seconds.

My husband and I stayed overnight at a hotel the night before surgery because it was a two hour drive from our house. I stayed up late reading. He thought I should get to sleep. I figured I was going to get plenty of sleep the next day!

Whatever you do, don't forget you have many people praying for you.

 

[punkin32180]

Thank u all for the prayers for me and Dave.. they sure will do good and help a lot... i just recently posted a new post... lol same thing i say in there is the same thing i talk about in here mainly....Jaque