I'm Getting So Nervous!!

[KIM]

Hi Everyone;

Well, I have now finished all of my appts. that are necessary prior to the surgery. To be quite honest, as of last night I almost wanted to cancel. My nerves are shot. I know this is what I want to do, but I am so afraid of things not going well. I know I am young and healthy and should do fine. Did anyone else feel like they wanted to back out? I have never been so sure of anything, but there is this nagging feeling I have. I'm not scheduled until May 19 and I think that is part of my problem. Too much time to think. I know there are so many of you who have already had the bypass and others who are ready like me. Any advise you can give me to calm down would be greatly appreciated. Hope to see you all at the April meeting.

Kim

[Kimtrav]

Hey Kim,

Yes, I do have some reservations as well. I don't know what your motivating reason(s) for the surgery is, but mine is my health. I have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I'm tired of taking more pills than my grandmother did. I think I remember you from the March meeting. If I'm correct, you have a young child. I don't have any children (by choice). I think if I did, I would have more reservations. At my last appointment, I told Dr. Allam that I was nervous. He assured me that that was absolutely normal (as I've felt from the people in the groups). My surgery is scheduled for April 21st. I started this journey on February 28th, so I've waited a bit. I avoided the whole subject for about two weeks. I felt better temporarily, but the fact still remains I'm going ahead with this. So many people have benefitted from this surgery, some having minor complications. I've decided that I'm going to pass those roads when I come to them. I definitely don't have control over what might happen, so I've decided not to waste my energy on it. I have this adage that God only gives you so much energy to get through the day. If you waste it on the things you don't have control of, you won't have the energy for the people around you or to take care of the things you have control over.

I hope this helped you. You're normal and so am I. Hang in there. We'll both be fine.

Kim Trav

[Rose]

Hi Kim,
I was so nervous and wondering if I should do it afterall. I wasn't sure I could cope without my food. I have 3 kids and I kept wondering what would happen if I should die. I even thought of writing them all good bye letters. But, I knew that this was no longer an option. Well, I am still here as is everyone else. I used to listen to all those people who said they would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I wasn't sure that I would say that. But you know what has happened: I feel great and I am no longer afraid of the stares or the ridicule. I got my life back. I will admit I miss food the way I used to eat it but we still eat, just not as much. The way I feel now (my blood pressure and heart rate are all normal and my lab work is perfect) makes me laugh at my former fears. It is worth it and you will be fine. You will have a good team of people and a doctor who cares to make sure of that. Look at it as the beginning of a wonderful adventure, a life changing one! Hey, yesterday I had a man tell me I looked great and if he was younger he would ask me to dinner!!!

[KIM]

Hello;

Thank you for your support. I know I am going to go through with having the procedure, but I'll be scared until I wake up in the recovery room. I, too, thought of writing my little girls goodbye letters, just in case. They are very young, only 3 and 5. I don't want to risk my health any longer. Right now I'm extremely healthy for being so overweight. I don't want to chance that much longer. I have a family history of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. I am doing this for all the right reasons. I'm not vain. I am happy with my life the way it is. I just want to do all I can to see that I am alive to see my children grow up.
Kim, best of luck to you on April 21. I'll be thinking of you. Please let me know how it goes, good or bad. I want to be prepared for anything. You can e-mail me at OUR2GIRLS@OPTONLINE.NET.

Kim

[elaine]

Hi Kim,
Everyone one of us had our reservations and worries, we just all do it differently. I took almost three years, to make the descision to have the surgery and I am now 6 months post op. It saved my life!!!! Today I celebrated my 45th birthday and I felt as if it were my first. All the years of beating myself up and being depressed are all behind me now. For me its never been about the look, my family also has a long line of ailments and I was begining to enter the danger years. Now, feeling better (no, I mean great)....it sure feels good to have the LOOK...........oh yeah, its a nice perk. but moreso, I can run up the flight of stairs now and bend over to tie my shoe, I fit in a boothe at a diner, I play with my nieces and nephews and my daughter is so proud of her mom. All your fears will go, just think of what a wonderful gift you have just given yourself and the ones you love (and you couldn't have found a more gifted doctor to give it too you). It was very brave making that first appointment and now the follow through is just your reward. Things will be fine and so will you, relax and enjoy the journey of your lifetime............it has only just begun.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers........

~elaine

[Bobbie]

Kim, what you are feeling is perfectly normal. Anytime you go for any kind of surgery you are nervous. You are going to be fine. Just put your faith in God and Dr. Allam and you will be fine. Your surgery date will be here before you know it, so like the other Kim said " Don't waste time on things you can't control" If you need to vent you can call me (I think my phone number is listed under my member bio, or you can email me at crafty414@yahoo.com and I'll give it to you. Hope to see you at the meeting. Take care and stay strong, you are in my thoughts and prayers. a_01angel_

[KIM]

Hi Everyone;

Thank You All For Your Support. You Are All So Helpful. I Am Feeling Much Better About My Decision The Past Few Days. I Just Wish The Bypass Was Tomorrow So That It Would Just Be Over And I Could Start Out New. I Don't Think I Will Make It To This Months Support Meeting But I Am Definitely Going To Be There For May Since It Will Be Right Before My Date.

Kim

[DENISE M]

Kim,

Everything You Are Feeling Now Is Normal. I Suggest You Start Planning Meals For When You Come Home From The Hospital To Tak E Your Mind Off Your Surgery. I Shopped Ahead Of Time And Planned My Menus. I Started With Homemade Soups And Baby Food (fruit). A Good Tip Is To Cook The Soup Well And Then Puree Everything. You Might Want To Think About Preparing Food Now And Freezing It. I Am Sure All Will Go Well.
I Had My Surgery 11-22-04 On A Monday. I Came Home On Wednesday Before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving I Was Helping My Daughter Cook Dinner.
Keep Yourself Busy From Now Till Your Surgery. Before You Know You Will Be In And Out Of The Hospital And On The Road To Recovery.

I Wish You Well And Hope To See You At The Next Meeting.

Best Regards
Denise