I'm freaking out -- but just a little

[wendysig]

Hi all -
Let me start by saying that my surgery is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.  Yesterday I got an e-mail from Dr. Choe (my wonderful  neurotologist) telling which building and floor I needed to report to at Mt. Sinai on Friday.  This was good news because I wasn't sure exactly where I was supposed to go once I got there and Mt. Sinai has several buildings.  Today I got a call from Dr. Chen's assistant (he is the neurosurgeon) telling me to go to a different building a block and a half away from the building Dr. Choe mentioned.  When I questioned Dr. Chen's assistant she was very insistant she was right.  I called Dr. Choe's office and have not yet heard from them.  I've sent Dr. Choe an e-mail and hope to hear from him tonight if for no other reason, letting me know he or his assistant are on top of things.  It's amazing how little is took to shatter the calmness I was feeling. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!  There, I feel a little better  Has this ever happened to anyone else and if so what did you  do?

Wendy, Trying to breathe in NYC

[yardtick]

Wendy,

Breathe!!!  Did any of your Drs give you a mild tranquiler?  Worked wonders for me.

Anne Marie

[wendysig]

Hi Anne Marie -
Nope, no tranquilizers.  When I saw Dr. Choe and Dr. Chen a few days ago I was in my calm and serene phase which has now been rudely interrupted.  No need for tranquilizers then. 

Wendy -- Still brying to breathe

[Debbi]

It's okay to feel a bit like you're coming unglued.  I'd say that most of us were on a pretty thin thread 48 hours before surgery.  You'll hear from the wonderful Dr. Choe soon, I've no doubt.  Just keep breathing and remember that in 48 hours, you'll be on the "other side" in postie-land.  You'll probalby feel like poop, but you will have gotten there! 

I know you are a strong person. Wendy - but it's okay to be scared and freaked out from time to time. 

Sending you a big hug,
Debbi

[wendysig]

Hi Debbi-
Thanks I usually consider myself a strong person too.  Having this happen so close to surgery has just thrown me for a loop.  My rational side knows everything will work out but my emotional side is -- I dont't know how to describe what I am feeling, maybe completely off balance.  I guess I am a control freak after all, never thought I was before now.

Wendy

[cmp]

Wendy--

I'm not surprised you're feeling rattled--I had pretty much the same reaction when I got bumped (3 days before my original surgery date) and the coordination between the neurotologist and neurosurgeon's offices seemed less than optimal. You're revving up for a very big event in your life, so it's natural to want things to fall into place and to feel very unsettled when something goes amiss that hadn't even been on your radar.

The important thing to keep in mind is that things WILL fall into place! As Debbi says, you'll be hearing from Dr Choe soon, and you'll know exactly where to report on Friday!

Many healing thoughts are being readied for transmission to you then!

Best,
Carrie

[leapyrtwins]

Wendy -

at this point, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that your surgery will come off without a hitch on Friday and that at this moment there is an OR already scheduled in anticipation of you, Dr. Choe, Dr. Chen, and various other medical personnel being in it.

This is just a communications glitch.  It sounds very similar to Anne Marie's conflicting information about local vs general anesthesia the morning of her recent surgery. 

Although it's somewhat unsettling, and definitely aggravating, it's better to be facing this today than bright and early on Friday morning.

I'm confident that Dr. Choe, or someone in his office, will be figuring this out soon and will be clarifying things for you.

In the meantime, hang in there; relax; everything will be fine.

Jan

[mindyandy]

I wish you all the luck and you are in my prayers. I cannot imagine the fear you are going thru right now....for all the right reasons of course. I did the radiation route....(very nerve racking also) especially since I'm in the 6month mark (swelling) arrrgghhhhh....

You will be fine sweetheart and when you all said and done let us know how you are feeling......

[lori67]

Wendy -

I'm sure they'll get you where you need to be.  Take a deep breath.....you'll be okay.

I did quite well remaining calm up until the night before my surgery.  Two of my sisters were flying in from Jersey to help out with the kids - they were supposed to get into Nashville around 9pm.  Their flight out of NJ was delayed, so they missed their connecting flight in Altanta and couldn't find another flight out until the next morning - when I was supposed to be knocked out in an operating room!  I had no idea what I was going to do with the kids at that point.  We had only lived here for a little while and didn't really know anyone I could ask to take a 4 year old and a 9 month old.  I was a mess!  I wound up going to my neighbor and asking if there was any way she could help - her daughter offered to skip her college classes that day to help me out until her Mom got home from work that evening.  In the end, my sisters found a flight that got them into Nashville at midnight and since I was so wound up I couldn't sleep anyway, going to the airport to pick them up was no big deal.  I guess the point of that long story was that it all works out in the end.  I don't know how, but it does.

Hang in there!  Stay calm.  Looking forward to hearing good news!
Lori

[sgerrard]

Hi Wendy,

I'm sure it is just a mix up between where your "pre-op prep" and your "pre-pre-op prep" are to take place - or something like that.

Advanced best wishes on your surgery, too.

Hey Mindy, how much swelling are you experiencing? I notice a little arrrgghhhh in there...

Steve

[Kathleen5306]

Wendy

My surgery is next Wednesday.  When the nerves hit me, I always come here to this forum where the stories and support strengthen me again.  I will have you in my thoughts all day Friday.  By Wednesday, I will be shaking in my boots and you will be up walking around in yours!  All the best for you.

Kathleen

[leapyrtwins]

Thanks I usually consider myself a strong person too. 

Wendy -

you don't need to "consider" yourself a strong person, because we all know that you "are" a strong person 

Keep the faith!

Jan

[yardtick]

Wendy,

You should have see me on Monday.  I was a mess.  Very emotional and restless, I was so grateful my Dr prescribed Ativan for me.  I attacked Louie as soon as he came in the door from work.  I need his arms around me.  I think it was the combination of the tranquiler and the human contact of my husband that calmed me down.  I also had company after dinner and that was a great support.  I  took a sleeping pill before bed but that was useless.

You are a strong person.  This AN just plays little games on us.  We are all heroes in my eyes.  We are so lucky to have this forum and to be able to share our experiences.  I wish I know about this place when I first diagnosed.  I was blind sighted.  You are going to be another postie, who is going to be able to offer advise to others.

As Jan said "Keep the faith".  We are all praying for you

Anne Marie

[wendysig]

Hii all,

Thanks for all you advice and good wishes and advice. I'm sure you are all right and things will work out just fine.  I just panicked a little when things went awry  I had a problem with the computer last night in the middle of trying to respond to some of your posts. After a good night's sleep -- which I was really surprised I was able to have --it must have been the two glasses of wine I had at lunch yesterday,  I am feeling a little better today.  I'm still feeling a little anxious about the mixup or whatever it is but trying to talk myself back iinto the calm serene state I was in before this happened.  I am hopeful that I will hear something this morning from Dr. Choe or his assistant.  This is going to be a very busy day for me.  I've already packed everything for the hospital because I have grocery shopping and cleaning to do.  A couple of friends are taking me out to lunch again today -- bless my friends and family for keeping me so busy since I got back from vacation last Wednesday!  I am very thankful for all you too -- my AN family who truly understand what I am feeling

Kathleen - I know your surgery is next Wednesday and I am sure you mush be feeling a little anxious right now.  As many of my friends here have told me keep breathing, try to take one step at a time.  We are all with you in our hearts and will be sending our good wishes your way.  I should be home by next Monday or Tuesday according to my doc and will try to check in on you.  I will definitely be sending good wishes and healing thoughts your way.  I wish you the best of luck.  See you on the other side.

Jan, Lori, Carrie, Steve and Mindy--  You certainly have a way of putting things into perspective.  It really helped -- thanks.

[LADavid]

Wendy

If you're still up and reading.  Best wishes for a very successful surgery and a speedy recovery.  My prayers are with you.

And if you're still concerned about the surgery, don't be.  That's the easy part for you.

My best
David