Hi, Cheryl:
It's quite natural to be anxious about having major surgery of any kind, but
especially when it affects your brain and can impact important facial and bodily functions. It's not easy to be objective when it's
your head they're going to be opening up. We understand that and frankly, it wasn't a walk in the park for almost any AN surgical patient, including this one. That noted, you must realize that the surgery
has to be done. Eventually, we all accept that reality, even if we fight it for awhile. I looked at my AN surgery as one of those things you just have to endure in life, much as I once endured major dental surgery. That was unpleasant but I survived, healed up just fine and have a healthy mouth (and teeth) today, while I can't even remember much about the extensive dental work I once dreaded but that repaired a problem that simply
had to be addressed. O.K., extensive dental work and AN surgery may not be precisely analogous, but I trust you get the point.
You have the right idea: keep thinking positive thoughts. You're going to be one of the 'lucky' ones (AN surgical patients that come out of the surgery with few or no complications). You're going to be yourself again. You're going to surmount this thing because it isn't cancer and besides, you haven't got time for it. Remember, as soon as you come out of the surgery - the healing begins. Until then, you're just marking time and making preparations for the symptom-free life that is waiting for you, post-op.
Of course nothing in life is guaranteed (except death and taxes) but if you do end up with some kind of post-op problem, you'll deal with it. Most are temporary, anyway. Meanwhile, It's O.K. to have some anxiety about the surgery but don't allow your fears to control you in any way. Admit them (as you have) and then put them aside so that you can move forward and do what you need to do to get this AN thing out of your life and start enjoying living without AN symptoms, again.
I wish you serenity and a
great surgical outcome.
Jim
