Surgery tips?

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Permalink Reply by Whole_Body_Healer on March 14, 2008 at 2:15pm

I have used Guided Imagery prior to (helps align your subconscious mind) & during surgery (today that's easier with Apple Shuffles being so small, but ya still gotta enroll the surgery team...consider doing this in the meetings they have you do prior to surgery, or if you can talk to the surgeon, etc....find out who makes this call in the operating room-might be the nurses!). I used Belleruth Naperstek's Guided Imagery for Surgery. They have done various studies which show that this imagery improves recovery times, etc.

For me, it was just putting myself in as receiptive a place as possible. I also did visualizations & affirmations that I had the best possible medical team & they were operating at their absolute best, fully rested, energized, focused, etc. So setting the energetic stage as best as I could with these things, as well as the intention for the best possible outcome...and then let it go.

And then of course, we can send you good energy & healing vibes too! Prayers & healing vibes your way!

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Permalink Reply by short dark and veggie on March 14, 2008 at 3:49pm

Hi Michelle,

To make the stay as pleasant as possible i have heard of people brining thier own jammies, hand cream, lip balm..... things that make you feel more at home and less like you are in the strile hospital. I also recommend brining a box of chocolates for the nurses. I bet you will be thier favorite patient if you have some goodies for them.

I wish you well dear...we will be thinking of you.

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Permalink Reply by Adventure Grrl on March 14, 2008 at 3:55pm

I am so glad that you started this, Michelle. Good for you for reaching out. You know I'm here for you.

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Permalink Reply by Alix on March 14, 2008 at 4:05pm

Hi Michelle-
You're going to do great. Just being proactive about what to expect and how to best prepare puts you way ahead of most. A few practical things... Since you almost always feel yucky coming out of surgery, I like to go in feeling and looking my best. So, sometimes I'll have a haircut and/or a manicure/pedicure beforehand. But, keep in mind that they usually like to see the color or your nailbeds so stick with clear polish. Also, anesthesia and pain meds can leave people with dry mouth. I have found that Biotene mouth gel works great for this. And, if you're taking pain meds, don't forget the stool softener! They can really bind you up. Other than that, I like to go into the hospital with some of my own comfy clothes and slippers, mindless reading material of choice and even a little portable DVD player if you have one. I know everyone's body and medical situation is different. But, I have had my thyroid removed and the recovery was very smooth- a sore throat and a little tired for a few days and that was it. I wish you all the best! Alix

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Engstler on March 14, 2008 at 4:30pm

Hi Michelle, having done my share of hospital time id highly recommend the guided imagery as was first suggested. a good month before my second surgery i started meditiating/visualizing myself after surgery and seeing myself healing quickly, walking around and just general good health-also the tumor being shrunk. id like to think it helped somewhat as i went in with the expectation id lose half my stomach but turned out the tumor wasnt attached to the stomach and no organs were cut, and healing was much easier. my anxiety was also a lot less and that helps immensely!
id also suggest getting something to chew- a good natural gum --right after surgery. if you are on morphine or any strong pain drug it slows u down and the chewing action helps speeds up the juices in your mouth hence promoting faster bowel movements.
def bring nice warm socks and slippers-hospitals are cold! and unfortunately you dont get the best sleep, so be prepared for that-if youre lucky enough to have your own room you may be fine, but if you have a roommate or 2, be prepared to be woken up a few times during the night. most of all be patient!
good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Goony on March 14, 2008 at 4:48pm

Great topic Michelle. Let me start by saying, I'm sorry you have to have surgery, but I will be sending you loads of love and healing vibes.

I've had I've had 6 surgeries total, but for some reason I always block out 2 of them. Anyways, you'll probably have a lot of nervous energy leading up the the surgery, I did anyways. I made and froze a bunch of dinners so I wouldn't have to worry about me or my husband cooking dinners. Made sure my pantry and fridge were stocked. Bought a bunch of magazines to take to the hospital. By yourelf some new pajamas. Make sure you have gingerale at home, pain meds and anesthesia made me sick as a dog for a while after surgery. Go to the library, and rent a shitload of movies and or books a day or two before so when you get home you can just veg-out and don't need to worry about returning anything for a couple of weeks. Paint your toenail real pretty, I don't know why, I just always did it. Bring some chapstick. OK, that's all I can think of.

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Permalink Reply by Samantha on March 14, 2008 at 9:18pm

Surgery is scary, I don't care who you are. My first ever surgery was a total thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer, so I know where you are coming from. I know my best comfort was laughter. My surgeon was running late (over an hour & 1/2) so I was sitting there in my gown, freezing my butt off, jittery and sweating and scared out of my mind. I was with my parents and I told them regardless of what happened, never stop cracking jokes. I think my parents informed my nurses and they were in on the joking too. It made everything go so much more smoothly.

Keep your chin up!

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Permalink Reply by Sherry on March 15, 2008 at 11:10am

Hi Michelle, I'm sorry you have to go through this entire process, but sending positive thoughts that all will come out clean. My first surgery was the same as yours, and I was very anxious as well. I did tell my doc beforehand, listen I adore you...but if there is even the slightest question on the preliminary biopsy - take the entire thyroid because I do not want to have the same surgery twice! Ended up mine was negative, but in the moment they weren't sure. The thyroid replacement meds have been good to me, so no real complaints there. I would recommend asking to be the first patient of the day, especially since you've already prepped once for it. The healing process was relatively easy for me and I pray it will be for you as well.

Sending healing vibes and the all the best results - please let us know how it goes.

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Permalink Reply by Caroline on March 15, 2008 at 2:29pm

Surgery sucks! I mean who wants to be cut open. I have now had surgery 7 times, and had thyroid surgery (but I dont remember all the details). First of all tell everyone how nervous you are about the whole thing. Nurses and doctors dont have ESP and need to be told this. They can talk to you to ease your concerns and they can also give you something if needed. Also, tell them if you have issues with things like needles, pain, blood, etc so they can better understand where you are coming from. I am happy to say I am a total weenie when it comes to needles and pain so I never see the needles nor do I experience any pain. I hadn't thought about the chaplain idea but do talk to social workers while in the hospital. Also I would ask to see the inpatient rooms - private or shared? personal TV with internet access 24/7 or just something high up on the wall? Bring slippers and socks. I am not sure about bringing your own jammies as often you have an IV and they want you in theirs which snap over the shoulder but definitely bring a robe.

I would also bring a couple books, a hobby or something, it can get pretty boring. Hospitals are not designed for getting any rest either. An Ipod might be good. Actually dont bring anything with you when you go for surgery. Have someone bring it all to you in your room after surgery.

I had my thyroid out in 1981. They took most of it out with the tumor and the rest they dissolved with radioactive iodine afterwards so I haven't had a thyroid since then. I can't say its been that much of a big deal but I do have to watch what I take for OTC medications as they can interact with the synthetic thyroid I have been on ever since. I had it out and probably took two weeks to recover. I couldn't drive as there were limitations on turning my head. I don't remember a lot of pain. My scar has also healed to be basically invisible. Good luck and send me a message if you have more questions about it.

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Permalink Reply by Anne on March 15, 2008 at 7:39pm

Everyone has given great tips so far, and actually, when I had surgery in December, I asked the doctors if they wouldn't mind playing some calming music as I went under, then some waking up music as I was waking up, and the anesthesiologist told me that he thought this was a great idea, and that when you go under, the last sense you lose is hearing, and it's the first one that comes back when you wake up. I used classical music, because that was best for me, but I think having a calming or upbeat tempo is really what matters. And also, I must agree with everyone who said bring your own comforting things to the hospital, it really does help a lot. I was so nervous about my surgery, they told me I could permanently lose my short term memory or many other horrible things (this was brain surgery) so when I woke up I would ask anyone who walked by "Did the surgery go okay?? Is everything okay???" Good luck with your recovery!

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Permalink Reply by Lauren E. Mross on March 16, 2008 at 12:47am

Hi Michelle,

I just had a total thyroidectomy 2 weeks ago. My biopsy from my fine needle aspiration showed "suspicious" cells -- suspected papillary thyroid cancer (sounds similar to you). My surgeon recommended that I have the full thyroid removed for these reasons: 1) it's the same surgery no matter if they take 1/2 or the full 2) it's the same recovery 3) it's the same scar 4) you will probably have to take synthetic thyroid even if they only take 1/2 and 5) you probably don't want to go back for the same surgery in a few years.

Believe me, I hated the thought of losing my WHOLE thyroid. I thought that if I could at least keep half, I'd be better off. But after it's all said and done, it was the best decision for me. In my case, it turned out to be cancer. So there's a chance it would have come back. And like others on this thread have mentioned, the synthetic thyroid is not that bad and easy to get used to taking... well, I'm only 2 weeks into it, but I've already processed the fact that this is my life now. And I am bad about taking medicine, so I thought for sure it would be horrible... but it's not bad at all. I got one of those Sunday - Saturday pill trays and it's now just an added part of my morning routine. Just like putting in my contacts!

But back to your original question... being scared about surgery. I was in the exact same position as you. It was my first surgery ever. I was freaked out by the thought of it. I had nightmares about all the things that could go wrong. I even became convinced that I was having premonitions about what was going to happen (i.e I thought I was seeing my own death). I had insominia for days and fretted about it for weeks. But I think all of that is normal... you have to process it all and realize that this procedure is one of the most routine surgeries for endocrinologists and general surgeons.

And I tell you what... the next time I need surgery (if ever!) I won't nearly be as scared. I promise, it's not bad. All I remember is hugging my family goodbye and then waking up in recovery. I heard my name and I reached up to feel my neck and was like, "I'm done?" And sure enough, it was done.

The best advice I got before the surgery was from a family friend / nurse. She said that I should tell the anethesiologist that I get nauseous easily and ask for the "good" stuff. I had heard horror stories from some friends that were sick from the anesthesia and you don't want to be throwing up with a sore neck! So I made a joke of it and told my anesthesiologist that I get sick easily and I need the good stuff -- top shelf, only the best for me. All of the doctors and nurses in the hospital were so nice and kind. I made it a point to introduce myself to all of them and smile and have a good time. I thought of it as an adventure... a new experience to add to my life story. I was so focused on chatting up all of the hospital personnel that I forgot to be scared!

After the surgery, you get to be queen! You get whatever you want. The nurses and hospital staff will bring you all sorts of food and drink. If you are in pain, don't be afraid to say so. They will give you medicine for the pain. You don't need to be afraid to ask for ANYTHING you want.

My recovery was very good. I definitely recommend that you take AT LEAST a week off of work. I felt good right after the surgery, but the first 5 days after were a complete blur and my memory was horrible.

I am now back at work and getting back to my normal routine. it's hard to believe it was only 2 weeks ago! My neck is no longer sore and the incision has healed nicely.

Good luck and email me if you want to talk about it more... talking helps! Let me know how it goes!

Take care,
Lauren

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Permalink Reply by Caroline on March 18, 2008 at 11:33am

Way back when (1981) when I had my partial thyroidectomy, I had 8 of 11 positive nodes. However that is stage 0 as it was because it was before age 45. Also, in December at my last surgery, my BC surgeon told me that young women with a high number of positive nodes have a better prognosis than others. Go figure. I thought positive nodes were bad... Sometimes I don't get all this... But then I didn't go to medical school and am merely the patient.

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