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Original poster

Anyone else up? I'm so anxious

24 replies

FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 01:48

I'm having massive surgery in the morning and I'm absolutely shit scared.

I'm having lymph nodes removed under one arm, wide local excision on the same shoulder, biopsy of another melanoma on the opposite side of my neck and removal of sentinel (main) lymph nodes on that side too.

I've never had surgery before. I know exactly what they will doing to me tomorrow because I used to work there.

I am so scared. I'm scared of having to be naked in front of my ex colleagues, I know it sounds absolutely insane because they're all professionals but I thought I could get away with just my boobs out but I've been reading the info and it states no underwear at all. So I'm gonna be fully muff to the wind in front of people I worked with for 6 years, and haven't spoken to for 3!

I'm scared I won't wake up which is ridiculous but because I worked there for 6 years and never had a patient die: and they do massive cancer surgeries there.

I'm just so anxious. I'm also due my period today so that's just another treat!

Can someone please cheer me up?

OP posts:
StellaGibson2022 · 12/04/2023 01:52

Nothing to cheer you up I am afraid but want to wish you all the best for tomorrow.

your previous colleagues will be very professional but also remember that when in health work naked bodies are twoapenny.

Wishing you a quick recovery ❤️‍🩹

SNWannabe · 12/04/2023 01:56

Urghhh as a fellow HCP I fully sympathise with the ex colleague stuff. That’s horrible… is there any chance you can request staff who didn’t work with you or did you work with the full team?
i know it’s no consolation really but as you’ll know, even seeing a “full muff” of any patient isn’t really anything interesting…

Rainbowqueeen · 12/04/2023 01:57

I’m awake. Sending hugs.

It’s a stressful time but you will be ok. The staff will be professional, I’m sure they have operated on other people they know before.

Why don’t you find a podcast to distract and sooth you? I like My therapist ghosted me. It’s funny and they talk a lot of nonsense. Or if there is someone who has a voice you especially like, see if you can find something they have recorded.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow

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bellabellaIzzie · 12/04/2023 01:57

Echoing that they are professionals and won't care or give nakedness a second thought in that environment.

You know you will wake up. It will over before you know it. Wishing you much luck today and going forward. Flowers

Hope you manage some sleep

Groutyonehereagain · 12/04/2023 02:02

I know exactly how you feel. I was a theatre nurse and had to have gynae surgery. I actually had a 10cm tumour on my left ovary. I’m all good now. It’s horrid for you but it has to be done. This time tomorrow it will all be over. You’ll get through it, you’ll find the strength. 💐

Original poster
FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 02:04

SNWannabe · 12/04/2023 01:56

Urghhh as a fellow HCP I fully sympathise with the ex colleague stuff. That’s horrible… is there any chance you can request staff who didn’t work with you or did you work with the full team?
i know it’s no consolation really but as you’ll know, even seeing a “full muff” of any patient isn’t really anything interesting…

I might ask if one or 2 of the more 'bolshy' people who I know still work there aren't in the room tbh!

Thanks for the solidarity!

OP posts:
Original poster
FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 02:05

Groutyonehereagain · 12/04/2023 02:02

I know exactly how you feel. I was a theatre nurse and had to have gynae surgery. I actually had a 10cm tumour on my left ovary. I’m all good now. It’s horrid for you but it has to be done. This time tomorrow it will all be over. You’ll get through it, you’ll find the strength. 💐

I know you're right! I hope you're okay now! I think it's just the fact I know them? Horrible!

OP posts:
Oakiedoakie · 12/04/2023 02:07

Hi there, had similar surgery many years ago, went fine, it'll be over before you know it. The staff won't notice or care that you're naked, they'd be very unprofessional if they did. All the best for tomorrow, find something boring to listen to.

Casilero · 12/04/2023 02:16

Sorry that didn't work. Hang on

Nimbostratus100 · 12/04/2023 02:26

Its miserable, I am coming up to my fifth cancer op soon. SOme have gone swimmingly, others not so much, but it really really doesn't take long. The anesthetic going in can be a bit troublesome, and the first hour after waking are the worst, but then you will very quickly find the worst is over, and you are on the path to recovery and before long it will all be behind you and you will be safely home grumbling about physio, and then even that is something you will find yourself progressing through quickly and it will suddenly all be weeks ago, then months ago. I hate the build up too, so I sympathise. You've got this though

xx💐

SorePaw · 12/04/2023 02:34

@FangedFrisbee

Are you saying that you won't have a sheet over your lower body to 'protect your modesty'? Even though the op is on your upper body?

im just trying to work out just how mortified I should be!! I'd rather assumed they'd left my gown on & just peel it down as far as necessary!

As well as a thank you card to my surgeon, and treats to the ward staff, I should perhaps be offering to pay for therapy for him & his staff.

years ago when I had my appendix out, there was a woman in the 'prep room'(??) who was an Angel. I was scared of not waking up again & id been rushed in so no time to really tell anyone or anything. She was so calming and held my hand while the anaesthetic took hold. I wish she'd been there when I came around, instead I was treat to a nurse & a Doctor arguing about why he was keeping me there not sending me back to ward. He was saying because I want to be sure she's ok myself, and she was arguing the toss, it was actually quite scary.

Original poster
FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 02:43

SorePaw · 12/04/2023 02:34

@FangedFrisbee

Are you saying that you won't have a sheet over your lower body to 'protect your modesty'? Even though the op is on your upper body?

im just trying to work out just how mortified I should be!! I'd rather assumed they'd left my gown on & just peel it down as far as necessary!

As well as a thank you card to my surgeon, and treats to the ward staff, I should perhaps be offering to pay for therapy for him & his staff.

years ago when I had my appendix out, there was a woman in the 'prep room'(??) who was an Angel. I was scared of not waking up again & id been rushed in so no time to really tell anyone or anything. She was so calming and held my hand while the anaesthetic took hold. I wish she'd been there when I came around, instead I was treat to a nurse & a Doctor arguing about why he was keeping me there not sending me back to ward. He was saying because I want to be sure she's ok myself, and she was arguing the toss, it was actually quite scary.

No, the gown is taken off because it's not sterile, so tomorrow I'll be wearing a gown in the anaesthetic room, then moved over on to the table and they'll remove the gown and drape me with sterile drapes and then prep the top half of my body for the op. Then at the end a new gown is put on and I'll be moved over onto a bed.

I'm just being precious! Of course they will be extremely professional it's just my own personal anxiety because I know them!

OP posts:
Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 12/04/2023 02:44

You will have a gown on and they will just pull it down as far as necessary. All the best for tomorrow you will be fine, you will be so drugged up you won't even care

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 12/04/2023 02:46

FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 02:43

No, the gown is taken off because it's not sterile, so tomorrow I'll be wearing a gown in the anaesthetic room, then moved over on to the table and they'll remove the gown and drape me with sterile drapes and then prep the top half of my body for the op. Then at the end a new gown is put on and I'll be moved over onto a bed.

I'm just being precious! Of course they will be extremely professional it's just my own personal anxiety because I know them!

Show quote history

Omg is this what they do iv had loads of ops didn't realise I was fully naked during them 😳

Username84 · 12/04/2023 02:52

If you're going to be starkers on front of people you know you might as well style it out. Noughts and crosses grid on your chest? Vajazzle?

EllaB22 · 12/04/2023 02:57

Oh goodness OP I totally understand your added stress of ex colleagues. They will be professional its just another thing for you.
Thinking of you and wishing you the best for the op x

AllIeveknewonlyou · 12/04/2023 04:14

I had an accident in just knickers and top at home recently.

Medics were fine, it vaguely crossed my mind about body consciousness but then I thought they wouldn't care.

Yes it's a bit awkward if you know them but they just want to do their job and help you :)

Best with the op, it needs to be done.

Original poster
FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 05:17

Username84 · 12/04/2023 02:52

If you're going to be starkers on front of people you know you might as well style it out. Noughts and crosses grid on your chest? Vajazzle?

I did consider a vajazzle! I'm awake after about half an hours sleep. Feel very tired!

OP posts:
Mumma · 12/04/2023 05:24

Sending you all the good vibes for your op xx

Username84 · 12/04/2023 13:22

I hope it's all done now and you're coming round to a friendly ex colleague with a thumbs up and a cup of tea made just the way you like it 😊

SorePaw · 12/04/2023 22:39

FangedFrisbee · 12/04/2023 02:43

No, the gown is taken off because it's not sterile, so tomorrow I'll be wearing a gown in the anaesthetic room, then moved over on to the table and they'll remove the gown and drape me with sterile drapes and then prep the top half of my body for the op. Then at the end a new gown is put on and I'll be moved over onto a bed.

I'm just being precious! Of course they will be extremely professional it's just my own personal anxiety because I know them!

Show quote history

@FangedFrisbee yeah that all makes sense, I think I just chose not to think about it!!

I also had a catheter in when I came around, it was weird to realise people had been fiddling around and I'd have had no idea if it wasn't for the catheter.

I can imagine how much worse it feels to have previous colleagues doing it, but it's really just 'needs must' isn't it

how are you doing??

xx

Original poster
FangedFrisbee · 13/04/2023 09:02

@SorePaw I had to stay in unexpectedly but hopefully home today!

OP posts:
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