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Newbie, scared, and would love to hear from you!

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Catzcradle

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Hi Forum! I'm in the process of scheduling my knee surgery - It might be any time from mid May - June 1. I have lined up a great surgeon, excellent hospital, and I have lots of pain the I want to get rid of, so you'd think I'd be joyful. Well unfortunately I'm shaking in my boots! (Boots I can't wear, mind you, because my knees are so bad). My knees are totally bone on bone, and it's way past time to get on with this, but I cry when I think about waiting in the little pre-surgery room, in the gown, and getting the IV, and being put under anesthesia. I've had successful surgeries before and I don't know why I'm so scared, and I even purchased a self-hypnosis tape to listen to. So I'm trying, but I get this terrible anxiety. I don't care what happens after surgery- I'm sure I can deal with any pain, what with meds and the ability I've had to deal with pain so far - It's just the surgery itself. So I've been reading the positive stories you have all posted in the forum and they have been a great help. If anyone has advice on dealing with extreme pre-op jitters, I'd love to hear from you. I'm just a cowardly lion!
Donna
 
Donna - Welcome to the site. See my post to you on 4-1/2 mo check up. Regarding your jitters, I must say that I wasn't overly crazy but I hadn't been in a hospital since my girls were born 20+ years ago. (completely different than surgery) Anyhow, it sounds like you a focusing on the waiting time presurgery. For me, I hardly had time to change my clothes and they were rushing me to IV then down the hall. My point is that I didn't have much time to get nervious that morning awaiting surgery. Perhaps focus on the good outcome with putting the pain behind you and getting a new life. It is all so worth it. My best to you.

Hope
 
All I can say is - join the club! It's very normal to feel anxious through to terrified for any surgery but somehow this seems to be especially bad. It's partly the surgery but also, the idea of putting yourself and, indeed, your very life, in the hands of strangers, I think. Fear of the unknown. It's a big deal. But important you just accept that you're feeling this way and try not to let it overwhelm you. You're not alone - even I had the collywobbles before I went in for my knee op three weeks ago. But oddly, once I was in hospital and everything was grinding into gear, it seemed to evaporate and I was too busy with things people were telling me to worry about being anxious! Odd but true!
 
Catz....so glad you joined our discussions!!! Welcome!

As far as the jitters, you are in great company. I dare say each and every one of us felt that as the surgery dates approached. Whenever it gets to be a bit much....post here and we'll be there for you! Post your biggest (and not so biggest) fears. Heck, someone here has felt the exact same thing. And.....STOP picturing yourself in the surgery waiting area and START picturing yourself doing whatever it is you loved to do before all the hurting started. You'll be in THAT picture for a lot longer than you'll be in that waiting room. And....once surgery day arrives, just tell them you are anxious and you can be given something to calm you down and take the edge off. I was just with a friend today in the hospital and we did that very thing because she was very nervous about the waiting.
 
I understand this fear.....you go through all the what ifs, and the "is it really that bad..? I hate the idea of being dependant and in pain etc...and so everytime I think of all of that I catch myself and deliberately concentrate on something else thats positive. I also allow myself "worry" time. Each day, when I become anxious ...I stop myself, tell myself that I can do that between say 3 and 3:30 , and destract myself in other ways. I timetable into my day a time for worrying. Doing this doesn't deny the fear and angst, but it does contain it to a bite sized portion of the day, and thus my whole day is not destroyed by the nerves. This technique was recommended to us when our son had cancer....believe me you could spend all day and night worrying with an oncology child.
Keep busy, and think of the prize at the end....
Rachel
 
I feel just the same frightened. My brother has just had his left knee replaced. It was a real mess before he could hardly walk. The bone was very worn. He was miserable for a little while. Now he tells me how wonderful it is NO PAIN anymore. He is so glad he has had it done. He is now waiting to have his other knee done.
 
Rosemary,
Welcome! I was nervous, scared, excited, and anticipated getting my life back to being able to enjoy the things I used to do. I was brave, and just went into it well prepared with all the information I could get my hands on to facilitate an excellent recovery. I knew I was in good hands with my OS. The rest would be up to me!
Now I have started enjoying the things I could not do before; skiing, walking, and am anticipating enjoying my gardening and hiking once again.
Be strong, be informed, and you will do just fine. Do purchase the book as it became my very best investment........ along with my Total Gym and my stationary bike.
Best,
Crystal
 
We've ALL been scaredy "catz"! Welcome! You will certainly
Get all the best support here! Best of luck!!!! :)
 
I had BI-TKR and was in the pre-op thinking I could still change my mind and only have one at a time done, the next thing I know I awoke in the recovery room thinking what have I done. The next day when the PT tech came in to help me stand and take a few steps I realized it was just short of a miracle I had no joint pain. I too had been bone on bone in both knees for 5 years and lived with that pain.

Max
 
Its not quite as bad as that. As soon as you get into pre-op and they verify
that you're the right patient and what they are going to do to you, my doc ordered
some ativan after that time flies. If your really nervous you might ask him for some
pre-op calmness.
 
What they all said...and usually, if they see you are really freaking out, they will put you under sooner :)

When hubby had his gall bladder removed, he was about to pass out from anxiety. The doc took one look at him and said, "start the IV now." I agreed completely!

The best was the OR nurse. He got face to face with hubby and said in a very calm and kind voice "I know this is a once-in-a-life-time event for you, but please understand we do this every day, it's our job, and we know what we are doing. We'll take good care of you." It was very reassuring!

It's totally normal to be worried, but they know what they are doing and the vast majority of us have great results!
 
Welcome to this wonderful and informative forum, I would like to reiterate all that has already been said. I and I am sure most undergoing this type of surgery go through the same emotions of terror regarding the surgery, am I doing the right thing? as for most it is elective surgery. Believe me at 4 weeks post surgery with not everything going quite to plan I AM CERTAIN that I took the best and only option. I am on the long road to recovery but know that at the end of it I will be pain free and I will have gained my life back. So stay positive and accept that it is normal to feel slight fear and question if you are doing the right thing, but just think in a few months time if not sooner you will KNOW it was the right thing. Wishing you the very best of luck, and please if you have any concerns or worries post them, I did and was offered comprehensive and sensible advise and kind words of support.
 
"I know this is a once-in-a-life-time event for you, but please understand we do this every day, it's our job, and we know what we are doing. We'll take good care of you."

Thats a great thing to hear. Makes sense.
 
My mum used to say that about having babies, not to worry if the Gyno didn't turn up in time, the hospital midwife is there for EVERY birth where as he turned up just for his patients.

I just have tremendous faith in the doctors and nurses to do their best as professionals and so far it has paid off. Phew!!!!!! I'm sure none of them start out thinking they can afford to mess up.

Chris :)
 
I've had lots of surgerys and although I don't look forward to them. I find that if you think about the progression it is most useful. Your knees are wearing out. Every day you walk on them they get worse, so basically you're on the downhill slope. Surgery is the beginning of getting better, and just like it took you a long time to get as bad as you are. You are about to get better. Makes you sort of want to do the surgery asap.
 
Yep, that's my thinking. After the shock of the OS saying I needed two new knees wore off, I schedulled the first one for as soon as I could get it. If this is the course, lets move on!
 
Hi Donna and welcome!
As you can see from all the posts everyone here is so supportive. This won't be a walk in the park, but long before next spring we'll be able to take a wonderfully long walk where ever we want. I, too, am waiting for my surgery and flip back and forth from excitement to terror! I have a surgeon who is the best at TKR in the area and I'm confident that this is the best thing I can do for myself. I want to be able to play with my grandkids without pain, to get up off the couch without struggeling, to carry in the groceries myself--well maybe not that--LOL. But, you know, live a "normal" life. I wish the same for everyone here.
Blessings!
Irene
 
Thanks everybody for your great advice! I really appreciate your calming words, advice and support. And those of you who suggested that I focus on all of the things I'll be able to do - especially pain free - are right on the money. Your recommendations and well wishes are very helpful, and I will be printing them out and taking them with me to the hospital. So you, my Friends, will be in my pocket!
Donna
 
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