4 Days till Surgery!

treefrog · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 04:10 PM

Oh, I am so excited for you. I want surgery so bad, I know how you feel. There are times when it scares me too, but the thought of being able to do normal things again, is too good to keep me from hoping.

It sounds like you are all prepared, I love the green undies idea. It's great that you are keeping a sense of humor about this. You are in great hands, and soon you will be on the other side. I look forward to following your progress.

Good luck.

dshobbies · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 05:52 PM

Kathy,

How this time has flown and within days, you'll be on the other side, slowly getting your life back. How wonderful for you.

Unfortunately, no one will actully see your green undies, thong or otherwise. They'll give you a bag and a gown, then tell you to go into the bathroom, take off all your clothes, put them in the bag and put on the latest fashion of a hospital gown. So the green undies may cheer you up but will only give everyone else a boost if you tell them about it so make sure you mention how you dressed for their enjoyment

I think the worst part of a surgical experience (aside from post op pain) is the IV. I always ask for lidocaine first and then let them poke away. The happy juice comes next and then good night. Don't fret it.

Good luck and happy thoughts, Dale

steve55 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 07:13 PM

Well, good luck Kathy! Ive been hearing you have a top surgeon and thats the most important part. Myself, Im soooo happy that my old pain is gone. Im sore and still recovering but its all surgery type recovery. Its so awesome to relax and not have pain. You should notice within the 1st or definitely 2nd day that your old pain is gone. Though the surgery pain may mask your ability to do so for several days. See ya on the other side!

Steve

phylly · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 08:15 PM

Kathy,
I am really happy for you. You are a real fighter and were able to get what you needed. It just shows that determination pays off. I can't wait to hear from you after the surgery and follow your progress; You write such great descriptions. I know all will go well, some pain of course but that will stop. I am thinking about you.
Phylly

Eastex · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 09:16 PM

Kathy,
I agree with Dale on the IV. I am not a fan of that or blood being taken. When I had my epidural for nerve pain after surgery, they gave me an IV. I never had one for my epidurals before surgery. Every Hospital is different. I was asking the nurse what the hell she was doing because I was just getting a simple injection. Well, she won and I had to have one. You will be fine and all the pain is about to leave you. You got to admit that it will be so worth it. After they gave me my cocktail, I didn't remember crap. They do this everyday and if they give you a little too much, you will just sleep a little longer. The only painful experience that I had was when I took my first shower at the hospital and I realized that I was the only naked one in there out of me and my wife. Just like home! All kidding beside, my nerves were still sensitive and the water made me hurt. But, it didn't last long and I only felt it that one time. Here's a big Texas hug and I will pray for you. Everything will be OK.

Kathy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 12:03 AM

Thank you all so much, I probably would have given up if it wasn't for all of your encouragement.
Dale- I also bought some 4 leaf clover socks for surgery, maybe they will let me keep them? I know they usually give you those hideous hospital socks and I usually don't put them on and keep mine on. They may be stricter than the injection people are.
I LOVE the lidocaine shot in the hand before the IV. I am terrified of needles, I literally faint. I know logically that it is not that painful, it's not going to kill me, and so on. But, I have this crazy fear, although with having 2 babies, all the back issues, and hormone issues that require crap loads of blood to be taken often; it is getting better. I just let them know that I MUST lay down. I do have some kick ass big veins and have only had one idiot miss my vein, they obviously had no experience and the head nurse came in and apologized and put it in within seconds.
I am ready for the drugs, I've been hanging on by a thread for awhile now. Hopefully, they will give me the 'I don't give a sh*t if you cut my leg off' drug right away.
Well, we are leaving on Sunday for Miami. All day Monday is registering at the hospital and seeing the dr.
Thanks for everything, Kathy

Firerescuefin · #7 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 03:04 PM

Kathy,

Good luck with your surgery. I have no doubt you will do well. The pain I had was certainly manageable....nothing like getting hit by a semi truck. I felt really nauseous for the first 24 hours, but then that wore off and I was up and about. Do you know what disc you will be getting? The activ l gets my vote, but as you have heard numerous times on this forum, placement/surgical expertise seems to be the highest priority. I am sure that others have offered there assistance and well wishes, but feel free to contact me via phone if I can offer any support to your or yours.

Geoff

geoffrey.finley@gmail.com