28 Days
WOW, in 28 days from right now, I will be in the hospital getting ready for my surgery. I have been waiting for this for SOOOOOO long, that it still just seems so surreal. I can't believe that this is actually going to happen. I am excited yet PETRIFIED at the same time. I have only been put under once, and I was only 5. I had to have dental work done, go figure. I wouldn't let the dentist near me, so they had to put me under. That time it was with "gas", so I have NO idea how I will handle the anesthesia.
To tell you the truth, that is my biggest fear right now. I get sick with ANY sort of medicine, so I know that it will NOT be pretty when I come to. But what REALLY scares me is that I have watched WAY too many shows on TLC and Discovery Channel. There are those people that only part of the anesthesia works on. So they are paralyzed, but they can feel EVERY THING! What if that happens to me? Could you imagine going through jaw surgery and being able to feel it? I know that the chances of that are SOOOO slim you can't even count them, but still. I will have to talk to the Anesthesiologist about that one.
Another thing that has me nervous is my heart. I have several heart problems. So they will need to put a catheter into one of my veins to monitor my heart that way, instead of the normal way. This way there is no delay in the response time and they can react quicker if they need to. Now I have never even had an IV, so having them put a big catheter (ok, it really isn't THAT big, but it seems like it is) into one of my main veins is very scary.
Did you all worry about little stupid stuff like this? I'm not worried about the pain after the surgery so much as the pain before (the heart thing) and the anesthesia. I just worry too much, but I guess it's just normal. I'm just glad that I have you all to get this out too. Since most of you have already had your surgery or will be having it soon, you totally understand where I am coming from.
Ok, I think that's it for now. I will update again when I have more appointments. Which I don't have to see my ortho until after the surgery. That just seems SO weird.
14 comments:
VERY NORMAL! I was sooooooo nervous before my sarpe surgery! Before they put me under I was shaking like a leaf with all the worries you have. My main concern was being paralyzed but fully aware of everything going on. Secondly, I was freaked out about having tubes down my nose when I woke up and vomiting. I was nauseous when I woke up but they give you something right away to help.
So that's great that you have a date and it's coming very soon! I'm hoping to get my next surgery date for Oct. as well. SOon it will all be over and you can have them babies!! ;)
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that for jaw surgery they don't need to give you the paralysis drug in the anesthesia. So if you're not totally under the surgeon is going to know instantly and they'll just give you more of the pain blocker part. The other good thing is that I believe they give you full strength local injections on top of the general, which lasts for something like 8 hours or so (as compared to what you'd get in a dentist's office).
I had the same fear when I went for SARPE but I honestly don't remember a dang thing! So I hope you don't worry too much! :)
Thanks Graham. That's help with some of the fear. I know that it's a silly thing to worry about, but you understand how nerve wracking it can be to have to give complete control and trust in someone with your jaw. Thanks again for the encouraging words!
~ Tara
Of course it's understandable to be so nervous...it's a surgery, doesn't matter how small or big, it's in our nature to be scared of the unknown. Having been through Matthew's surgery didn't make it any easier when Ella had to have her surgery...so, just take it one day at a time...you'll be okay. and make sure you ask questions of your doctors if you have any concerns...as we learned as little kids, there are no stupid questions, even if you feel stupid asking them! :) Love ya!! xoxo
Hey Tara,
Trust me the whole worrying thing is TOTALLY normal! I was a mess the day of surgery. I held it together until I got into the operating room, by then I was so terrified I could not even talk. I was afraid of not waking up from the anethesia that was my worst fear. Truthfully though I don't remember much of anything. I remember them giving me something to help calm me down, and after that I was out for the count. I don't even remember waking up in recovery, only in my room with all my family there.
Graham is right about the paralysis drug. I asked the same question and was greatly relieved that I did not have to worry about that aspect of things. I was having weird irrgular heartbeat issues prior to surgery so I was a little worried about my heart also, but I figured with all the years of exercise under my belt that it was strong and that it would all work out fine. You are young, healthy, and in good physical shape. It will all work out well, and sooner then later this will all be a distant memory.
I can't wait to see your post op pics! Woo hoo!
Brandy
Yes, you're totally normal here. And Graham is right. Since they're just working on your face, they don't have to paralyze your body.
I've seen one of those "anesthesia awareness" shows and it scared the crap out of me! In fact, I even brought it up with the anesthesiologist as she was putting in my IV. And she was like, "You're young, in good health, and we're going to be giving you a TON of drugs, so you definitely won't be aware of a thing!"
And she was right.
I've had 6 surgeries though so I'm not really scared of going under.
I never even get to the point where they ask you to count backwards. They gave me something through my IV which kinda stings for a minute as it goes up your arm (very weird feeling) but it kicks in fast, and you get really drowsy. And the gas works really fast too. I'm usually out really fast and then a minute later they're waking me up and telling me it's over. It's pretty amazing!
Shontell, Graham, Brandy, Erin, and EVERYONE else!
Thank you guys for calming my fears! That is good to hear that the paralysis part isn't used. I'm such a freak, but I have never really been put under, and that's the only part that really scares me. But I do have to admit that reading everyones blog has helped A LOT, so I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone! You have NO idea how much you have helped me out already (ok, so maybe you, but you know what I mean!).
Hey Tara, I had my original surgery date postponed too, quite maddening. Yes, all those worries are normal and not only did I have them, but so did everyone else whose blogs I read. Afterwards I realized that there really is nothing to worry about. There is no reason to expect that things won't go smoothly. You are being operated on your jaw, not on any major organ. Its a fairly "routine" procedure. And you will be in good medical hands. Can't wait to read all about your surgery afterwards. Mary
Hi Tara, here's a weird question for you...did the surgeon say how long you would have to wait to have babies after the surgery? I saw Dr. Arnett in Santa Barbara and he told me two years! (that is, if I were going to think about having anymore) I thought that was a long time and was wondering if that's the norm.
Sorry ~ I was just going through the paperwork again and it says to wait one year after the surgery date to get pregnant... (not two years)
Aimee, my surgeon didn't say anything about waiting to get pregnant. And he knows that we plan on trying after this surgery. Now you have me worried. I will have to give him a call tomorrow. Even if I have to wait a year, we may have to try BEFORE. I know I'm not that old, I just turned 28 and my husband will be 30 in Feb. But we want more then one and I would like to see our grandchildern. I'll let you all know what I find out when I talk to him tomorrow. Thanks for informing me!
Yes, please let me know what he says! We are talking about having a 3rd, but I was concerned about the surgery and thought we would have to wait longer. Thanks!
Aimee, So I checked with my surgeon and he said there is no reason why I would have to wait that long. He said a few months to make sure all of the meds are out and that I can eat normally, but other than that, I should be fine. I called my mother last night because she works for a surgeon. So she asked him this morning and he has never heard of waiting that long either. I'm curious as to why your surgeon wants you to wait so long. Does s/he use a different type of anethesia?
Oh that is good news! I have no idea why he said to wait at least a year. He is "the guy" that people usually think of when considering jaw surgery out here, so I went to him for a consultation, but it turns out he is crazy expensive, so I won't be going to him.
Good luck with everything and thanks for letting me know!
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