Who feels like working?

[ponygirlmom]

I tend to worry in images. I have repeated images of me on the operating table, me in ICU, me trying to get out of bed and hurting, etc.

I think this works in your favor, because you can view the images positively.

You on the operating table, surrounded by a team of medical people wearing superhero outfits. Heck, go ahead and imagine SuperBob supervising! Imagine a Nobel Prize for medicine on a shelf somewhere in there while you're at it.

You in the ICU, surrounded by whatever nurses make you feel the best (warm grandmotherly ones, super-hot playboy ones, etc.) Be sure to imagine a giant, floor-to-ceiling IV bag full of narcotic pain relievers, because you truly don't feel a lot in the ICU, due to all the pain meds. Also you really do have a nurse with you at all times. That's the point of the ICU.

You getting out of bed and hurting and NOT CARING, because honestly, it doesn't hurt enough to keep you from wanting to get out of bed. When the grandmotherly or hot nurse (whichever you like to imagine) says, "Let's get up so you can take a nice warm sponge bath and change clothes and eat some toast, and when you get back in bed you will have clean sheets," you will be saying, "YES! Get me the heck out of this bed!"

 

[Eva]

..........So, sometimes that's why I wonder if just staying home will relieve some of my stress. On the other hand, my immediate co-workers and boss(es) have been very understanding and supportive, so perhaps being around them and busy helps.

As far as what makes me anxious, it's not one thing. I tend to worry in images. I have repeated images of me on the operating table, me in ICU, me trying to get out of bed and hurting, etc. (I know, it's all about me!! LOL). So, it's hard to stop the images and get them out of my mind. .........

Dave,

How much of sick leave do you have?! can you use it?! it seems the work is stressing you out despite the supportive colleagues.

AND PLEASE do yourself a big favor by not imaginning yourself on the operating table or hurting...but if you cannot help it, imagine yourself surrounded by beautiful healing angels who are helping the surgical team to heal you...the whole thing is much easier than you think and will go faster than you can imagine. I was like you and worried about all the same things you are, but the reality was the moment I said bye to my husband I slipped into a deept restful sleep before I entered the operating room, and when I woke up, I was feeling OK -- some pain which was necessary to make sure I was OK.I surprised everybody with my alertness and questions about the surgery and was feeling happy it was over.

When the doctor came to pull the wires out, she doctor told me it would hurt and asked me to medidate on a beautiful scenery, I instead imagined angels coming to embrace me, and believe me, I did not feel a thing!!

Good luck, Dave

 

[KAJ]

Dave,

I worked right up to the last day of the week before we flew to Alabama on Sunday, and checked into the hosptial on Monday. I even went on two or three business trips within six weeks before the surgery. Work helped me keep my mind off the surgery. I also used the time to get various affairs in order. I think it reallly hit me when my and wife and I our had wills written.

Karl

 

[DaveEM]

Nurses and Nobel Prizes

Nurses and Nobel Prizes

I think this works in your favor, because you can view the images positively.

You on the operating table, surrounded by a team of medical people wearing superhero outfits. Heck, go ahead and imagine SuperBob supervising! Imagine a Nobel Prize for medicine on a shelf somewhere in there while you're at it.

You in the ICU, surrounded by whatever nurses make you feel the best (warm grandmotherly ones, super-hot playboy ones, etc.) Be sure to imagine a giant, floor-to-ceiling IV bag full of narcotic pain relievers, because you truly don't feel a lot in the ICU, due to all the pain meds. Also you really do have a nurse with you at all times. That's the point of the ICU.

You getting out of bed and hurting and NOT CARING, because honestly, it doesn't hurt enough to keep you from wanting to get out of bed. When the grandmotherly or hot nurse (whichever you like to imagine) says, "Let's get up so you can take a nice warm sponge bath and change clothes and eat some toast, and when you get back in bed you will have clean sheets," you will be saying, "YES! Get me the heck out of this bed!"

Too funny!! Thank you for those images to replace the ones I have (and also by the images of angels - thanks Eva). My spirits are lifted already. I won't confess in public which version of nurse I'm imagining (LOL), but you've given me a great technique to turn my negative images into more...enjoyable ones. Thank you!! I hope everyone has a very thankful Thanksgiving. I know I'll be thankful for all of you.

Yours in waiting,

Dave

 

[Eva]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Dave. You may wish to give thanks in advance to God who will be giving you a new lease on life. I am happy to hear that you are feeling better and I hope you continue to do so.

With my prayers

 

[Illinois Al]

I wish I could just take off between now and the surgery so I wouldn't have to struggle at work to remain focused and calm. Has anyone ever done this?
Dave

I found out I had to have OHS on July 16th and did not actually have the operation until August 8th. I started on disability leave right after I found out I needed the surgery and did not return to work until mid Sepember.

I work for a large Fortune 500 company with a generous disabilty leave policy. It helped that my doctor had called me at work and told me to be driven to the emergency room after he got the results of some tests back, my boss was the one who drove me!

I wasn't in the hospital the entire time between July 16th and August 8th, they did release me after initial tests were done.

Or is it better to just try and remain busy at work to make the time go quicker. ... Any words of wisdom?
Dave

So, was it better to have taken off of work? I think so. It seems to be commonly accepted in the forum that the wait for the operation is the worst part of the whole ordeal, and I would agree with that, but I think it would have been even worse to have tried to go to work while waiting.

 

[khamis73]

live your life i don't think you can focus in your work now I'm sure your head is full of thoughts Ativan is good they gave it to me the night before surgery i was very relaxed then i woke up in the ICU.

 

[DaveEM]

No more work!

No more work!

live your life i don't think you can focus in your work now I'm sure your head is full of thoughts Ativan is good they gave it to me the night before surgery i was very relaxed then i woke up in the ICU.

Well, I took folks advice and have taken the rest of work off before my surgery, so I'm happy to be home coping with the wait. Ready to get it over with. Not too psyched out, thankfully...yet. The ativan at night to sleep really helps and it seems to calm me through the day without taking more. Perfect. Thanks for everyone's advice!!

Dave

 

[zipper2]

Will surgery is on the 10th of Dec for you and it is good to get

all the rest possible to prepare for your surgery well rested

I feel you made the right decision and soon you will be brand

new and shining to post all of your good news to us of your surgery.

Good luck and the best to you.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[Eva]

Good for you, Dave

Good luck and prayers