In a week I go in for another operation. Last time was pretty rough and I have an almost supersticious fear of this one. In at least two of the 4 operations I have had they (the doctors) said it was touch and go for a while. I keep thinking: How many times can you dodge that bullet?
Last time - in June of 2005 - they didn’t close the wound but instead left it to heal by secondary intention. (The wound still leaks a little.) That means that the muscles weren’t sewn back together and now my intestines are pushing out all over.
They are going to open a 10 inch incision in my stomach, starting just below the sternum. They will wrap all my insides with mesh and sew me up tight. Rationally it really shouldn’t be a difficult operation - and if my doc is being particularly cautious with me it is only because of the rough time I have had in the past. I will only be on the table for 3 and half hours or so. (10 1/2 last time.)
Outside of rational thought I’m feeling a bit nervous. That’s me trying to down play it. Actually, the nightmares have already started. After the last op I had night terrors for over a year. Last night I started having them again. I was a mess at work today. My boss told me I was grumpier than usual.
OK enough spilling my guts (as it were.) I’m asking for prayers, good luck wishes, good thoughts, healing spells, whatever you believe in.
While your specific health problems are not something that I can relate to, my mother’s first ever surgery was a hysterectomy, after which they determined she had ovarian cancer, so she ended up having chemotherapy and a “second look” surgery before it was all over.
A few years down the road, she was told that she should have her parathyroid removed. (Er, one parathyroid removed–I gather there is more than one). These are located in the neck. Mom was not pleased. And, not unlike you, she was suffering a bit from “I know this is supposed to be routine surgery, but the last time I had surgery it ended up being a huge big deal, so that’s what I think of when I hear surgery”. She’s fine now, travelled a month or two later, and she and several old friends played “look at my surgery scar”.
Best wishes that your surgery is as simple and uncomplicated as possible, and your recovery goes smoothly.
Well, tomorrow is the big day. Thanks for all the good thoughts and well-wishes!
Today already sucks - the drive in was two hours - more than twice the time it usually takes. Now I have to make the trip to the hospital (two hours on a non-snowy day) in this damn snow! :mad:
I’ll be back as early as Saturday and as late as the 15th. (If all goes well.)
I’ll be wishing you a quick and successful recovery. I’ve had a few surgeries myself, but nothing to compaer to what you’re going through. I wish you the best. Keep us posted.
I just wanted to wish you well too. I can understand your nervousness after what you’ve been throuhg before, but since your surgical team knows you have a history of rough surgeries, perhaps that will give them a heads-up on how to avoid those problems this time around. All the best to you.
Here’s wishing you good luck, Khadaji. I’m not sure where you are in Central PA, but I’m in Harrisburg. If you should need anything, my email is in my profile.
Khadaji, as a veteran surgery survivor (over a dozen operations/procedures that required a general anesthetic), I can understand the nervousness and grumpiness! But it sounds like your doc knows what he’s doing, plus you’ve got all the good mojo of the Dope behind you! Special healing prayers heading your way!
That’s me trying to down play it. Actually, the nightmares have already started. After the last op I had night terrors for over a year. Last night I started having them again. I was a mess at work today. My boss told me I was grumpier than usual. 
