Stress Center Peer Support

I was wondering if you guys could get me through my scheduled thyroid surgery next week. I was supposed to go this past Monday 2-14-11, and canceled do to cold. (just an excuse, said I had a fever.) Sunday night I might have slept 1 hr. I stayed up all night thinking how I was gonna get out of it. Went to doc really have an upper respitory infection. Thank god. They rescheduled surgery for next Thursday 2-24-11 so I have a week to live. My family was so disappointed in me. I have read everything on the interned that there is to read, I could of told that Doctor what he was going to do to me. I am petrified of being put to sleep for 3 hrs. I've been dealing with this since January, and its been one thing after another. First the ultra sound easy, then the biopsy so so, then the pre-op testing which I had myself dying with the lung xray, so freaked out the poor lady doing the xray showed me nothing was standing out. Met with surgeon he explained it would be 3 hrs. and that they could hit my vocal cords, or these glands that regulate calcium. So obsessing about that, but mainly going to sleep. I cant stop, my poor family 4 children, and my little hotdog. I'm so down, I dont even hear them talk I'm like ok, but my mind is focused just on going to sleep. I keep thinking I will never see them again, and they all still need me. Please help me with better thoughts. Thank you

Well, first thing is that you can ask for a something to calm you down when you start to get prepped for your surgery. When I had simple surgery done that I was put out, they put something in my IV while I was in the pre op room where they get you into a nightgown, etc. That really helped, because as I was being wheeled into the operating room or getting close to that happening I was really anxious. They also can give you a little bit of Xanax to take just before as well. But you don't need to start taking that if you don't want to. I wouldn't if you can survive w/o them. I hope things will work out for you. Pailsee

Thanks so much for your thoughts, went all the way down there got as far as the gown, and never went through with it. They offered a xanax, but I'm a med phobic. Anyway it is something that has to be done. I'm lucky I have a great understanding Surgeon, any many great friends, and family, we will try again. I just have to suck it up, gain some courage, put some obsessive thinking aside, and do it. It's possible thyroid cancer I have to do it. Anyway I so appreciate your reply, thank you so much. Debbi