Surgery anxiety

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2006
Surgery anxiety
8
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 3:25pm

Hello all, tomorrow I am yet AGAIN going under the knife for my kidney stones. I get really nervous about going under general anesthesia. I had one episode the last time they did this particular surgery where I became aware in the middle of the surgery. I didn't feel any pain or anything, but I couldn't breathe, couldn't see, couldn't move and couldn't talk. I was aware enough to know that I was on my belly, and coudln't talk because they had a tube down my throat, couldn't move because they had given me a paralitic. But I still tried to get someone's attention. The whole episode was probably less than a minute, but it seemed like forever before I was out again. I even remembered it when I came out of surgery. I know they have measures now to avoid that, but I am still afraid. I'm also afraid because I won't have any control when I'm out. I'm worried about something happening or dying and stuff like that.
Please be praying for me tomorrow, that everything will go smoothly and that I won't have to come home with a drain. Last time I had a drain in the hospital, but then they took it out.

Blessings,
Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-1998
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 4:23pm

You have all my prayers and positive thoughts for a successful surgery. I hope you told your docs about waking up that one time so the anesthesiologist can monitor you more carefully.

How terrifying that must have been, no wonder you're feeling especially anxious.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 4:30pm

((((Amy))))

My thoughts and prayers are with you that the surgery goes well.

Hugs,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 5:53pm

(((Amy))) Surgery is the scariest thing to me, even though I worked as an OR nurse for 5 years. Believe me all measures are being taken to ensure your safety, as they WANT you to have a positive outcome. Just like you;)


Please discuss your fears with the anesthesiologist. Meds used nowadays rarely cause that to happen. Also, is it an option to have an epidural or spinal? They are done routinely now & I had the epidural for my last kidney stones about 8 years ago. No tubes are involved in that. As for the drain, I had 5 of them in June when I came home. I'm not telling you that to scare you, but to reassure you that you will live, just as I did. However, I sure didn't think so @ the time. They take them out as early as they can & everyday you'll feel a little bit better. I'll be sending P&PT's your way. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan

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Avatar for ready2go2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 7:12pm
Hi Amy, truthfully I don't know much about kidney stones and how they get rid of them. But if it helps, my mom went through a major surgery just a few weeks ago and came out perfect. I believe it had to do with good doctors, and probably hundreds of prayers. So I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope this somehow eases the anxiety.
Kristina

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Avatar for peoplearenuts
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 8:20pm
Wow, that previous episode sounds so terrifying! I get nervous about any medical procedures too. I will be praying for you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2006
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 9:26pm

I've dealt with these stones now for 8 years straight. I've had one procedure after another from lithotripsy, to cystoscopes and then this lovely surgery they are going to do tomorrow. I had this surgery 4 years ago. It's called a percutaneous nephrolithotomy, they gain access to the kidney/stones by making a hole in my hip region and going into the kidney they blast the stones and remove them. They leave the drain in for 3 days, go back in and make sure all the stones are gone and then take the drain out, leaving the hole open to close on it's own.
I did fine the last time, just kind of freaked me out as the end result was leaking urine out the hole, but it did close on it's own and I was well on my way.
Besides the stones, I am very healthy, active and strong (ya gotta be to suplex 200 pound men over your head, LOL). So I'm not really worried that something will actually happen, but just not having the control in the OR. I don't believe they could do an epidural with this kind of surgery because they are going to have to turn me to my belly and that might cause a shift in the epidural and that would be very BAD, LOL.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, it does make me feel better to know that I will have all you behind me. The surgery will be around 3:30 pm EST. Much love and I'll see you on the flip side.

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 9:45pm

how scary....


i think anyone would be anxious pre-surgery.


will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.


let us know how it goes.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 8:13pm

Hi Amy, just checking in to see how surgery went!

Sheri Ann