My New Year’s goal of steering clear of my laptop Monday – Thursday evening has been working out very well for me. Not only does my brain feel less cluttered, but my wrists have been singing in relief.
Speaking of relief, my knee surgery is rapidly approaching. It’s safe to say that I’ve gone from status: denial, to status: get this freaking thing out of me, now! After 9 months of frustration and pain, I’m very much looking forward to getting this taken care of so I can move on with my life. However, to say that I’m nervous is an understatement. I’m terrified! I’ve been sedated for a wisdom teeth removal and an endoscopy, but I’ve never undergone anesthesia before. Aaaand they tell me that I need to take an EKG and chest x-ray beforehand… don’t these people know that I’m a hypochondriac?!?
So, the next two weeks of my life will be a little crazy. The spring semester begins on February 1st, and my surgery is on the 3rd. My supervisor expressed sympathy because work will be so hectic before I go on leave… doesn’t matter, I doubt that I’ll be with it for a good week or so after the fact. Hooray for prescription painkillers.
I feel like such a jerk. There are a ton of people in Haiti in dire need of basic medical attention, many have undergone emergency life saving surgery without the very thing that I’m being a baby about. thanks (again!) for the reassuring words, Allie. it’s so silly, but M mentioned last week that he woke up during his childhood hand surgery and could feel and see everything. yikes! that got me worked up all over again! And Noelle, I’m picturing myself on all the new trails that I’d like to hike and run. Trying to focus on the end result!
I got through my semi-elective surgery last year by bringing my mother along. She was so ridiculously nervous for me that I spent all my time trying to comfort her, and I didn’t really freak out until they wheeled me away from her. But then I was asleep within 2 minutes, and better in a few weeks. In the end: worth it.
I hope it is for you too!
You’ll be fine. And you will feel better at the end of it.
I totally get panicky about medical stuff, but a good thing to focus on is that the EKG and chest x-ray will make sure that it’s safe for you to have the surgery – so if you have the all clear, you’re super low risk. Another thing – in medical dramas people have crazy things happen in surgery all the time, but that doesn’t actually happen in real life. A friend who’s husband was going to medical school told me that hospitals don’t take on surgeries that won’t be successful.
One more thing – before the general kicks in, they give you some fabulous stuff that makes you not care one bit that you’re having surgery. And then you’re completely and totally out and the next thing you know it’s all over. It’ll all be okay.